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Author Topic: Ping and "View workgroup computers" issues  (Read 5991 times)

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gev

    Topic Starter


    Beginner

    Ping and "View workgroup computers" issues
    « on: January 05, 2010, 05:41:55 AM »
    There is computers A and B connected via a switch,
    both have Win XP,
    on both all firewalls (XP firewall, Norton 360 firewall) are totally switched off,
    under System Properties/Computer Name both have "WORKGROUP" as workgroup,
    under Local Are Connection/ TCPIP Properties, both have 192.168.1.1 as default gateway and IP Addresses are 192.168.1.31 and 32 correspondingly,
    under Local Are Connection, File and Print Sharing ... is enabled for both.
    Just in case, there is also a DSL modem connected to that switch, and both computers access Inet through that modem.
    Now my issues:
    Comp A (.. .. .. 31) is able to ping the gateway (.. .. .. 1), loopback (127.0.0.1), itself (.. .. .. 31) and comp. B(.. .. .. 32).
    However comb B (.. .. .. 32) is able to ping all mentioned above, except for comp A (.. .. .. 31) with "Request timed uot".
    Also I'm unable to view "View workgroup computers" on comp. A (.. .. .. 31). Actually It's kind of intermittent. Once it works, next time doesn't. Couldn't work out the pattern so far.
    Also comp. A is able to remote connect to B, but B is not.
    Please advice what can cause this.
    Regards
    « Last Edit: January 05, 2010, 06:07:34 AM by gev »

    dahlarbear



      Specialist

      Thanked: 101
      Re: Ping and "View workgroup computers" issues
      « Reply #1 on: January 05, 2010, 01:36:50 PM »
      0.  Odd.  It does seem to be an "odd" problem.

      1.  Ping.  Successful "ping" would indicate physical and logical connectivity.  I'd concentrate on resolving this issue first (even if you need to uninstall the Norton software to make it happen).
           a.  Verify both computers are on the same network (basically ensure "subnet mask" is the same on both computers).
           b.  Best guess would be "firewall" on computer A is blocking ICMP "ping" messages from computer B.  Check the "firewalls" again (on both computers).
           c.  Use "-w <milliseconds>" switch with ping to increase "timeout" value; although it shouldn't be necessary for a local area network path.
           d.  Try a different "port" on the switch.
           e.  Switch ethernet cables from computers to switch to see if problem follows the cable.  (Yes, I saw both computers were able to successfully ping gateway - so this should be a useless test.)

      2.  Computer Browser Service.  To view "workgroup" computers, ensure the "Computer Browser" service is running on at least one (or both) of the computers.  If you run it on just one (to reduce network traffic), it should be the computer that is on all or most of the time.  Otherwise it can take some time to rediscover and build the "master" browser list (of known "workgroup" computers).

      3.  Reference(s):
           a.  Troubleshooting File and Printer Sharing in Microsoft Windows XP
           b.  File and Printer Sharing with Microsoft Windows
           c.  Why Can't I See My Computer on the Network?
           d.  Troubleshooting Computer Browsing on SOHO Networks with Microsoft Windows
           e.  Computer Browsing for SOHO Networks with Microsoft Windows

      drivenbywhat



        Beginner

        Thanked: 12
        Re: Ping and "View workgroup computers" issues
        « Reply #2 on: January 07, 2010, 01:06:53 PM »
        I would check the cable connecting pc b. I once had an issue with 2 of my pcs where one would intermittently not be able to ping the other & not view workgroup. Turned out to be a bad cable. Have both your pcs ping the router.  However, do it with the following command:

        ping -t 192.168.1.1

        This will ping the router from both pcs until stopped instead of the usual 4 pings. Let it run for about a minute. To stop it just press "ctrl+c". Then scroll through the pings and look for any "request timed out". Technically you shouldn't get any of these since the router is not being protected by a firewall and you said you have no problems pinging it. Although 1 or 2 request timed out will be okay you will want to see if pc b has more of these than pc a.
        If you think the number of posts you have coincides with your status you are wrong. If you put guru under experience you are a noob. If your post doesn't help the requester and only starts a flame war think before replying. If you are moderator and contribute to these things you should have your privileges revoked.

        Mihiri



          Greenhorn

          Re: Ping and "View workgroup computers" issues
          « Reply #3 on: January 12, 2010, 11:38:13 PM »
          This is a strange issue. If computer A can ping the router that means computer A is perfectly ok. Same rule applies to computer B.  Check again IP address of both computer A and B. Check to confirm both PC's have sane subnet mask and default gateway.
          If they are ok, it may be a cable issue. Try to replace cables and see. If it is not successful, try  to change the router and check again.