View Full Version : Home networking problem
Davey_Pitch
14-04-2007, 16:59
Right, I'm sure this a simple one, but my brain is refusing to function today so I'm open to help :)
I got my old PC set up and connected to the LCD this week, and yesterday I got it connected to the router (through a cable, like everything else is). It connects to the net perfectly, no problems there.
Now, what I want to do is connect my 2 pc's together so that I can move files between both machines. I know the theory behind it, and it's all easy. Put both machines in the same workgroup (which I've called Home), share whatever folders/drives I want to share, and they should be able to see each other and transfer files right away.
The machine I set up this week works perfectly. It can see all the shares on the desktop pc, pull files from it, put files on, access the printer, everything. However, for some reason the main pc cannot connect to the other. It sees it, but when I try to connect it fails, telling me I may not have permission, and access is denied. I've checked all the initial obvious stuff as far as I can see. There's no Firewall running, all the necessary services seem to be running (I compared the 2 machines and both seem identical), but still no joy.
Like I said I'm sure this is simple and I'll kick myself when it's sorted, but for now I'm open to suggestions :)
What OS?
Make sure they're both in the same workgroup and if they're running XP, turn off that bloody stupid 'simple file sharing' option.
Davey_Pitch
15-04-2007, 01:46
Both XP, and as said, both in the same Workgroup :)
Check the subnet on both machines.
EDIT
Ignore me, only read half your post lol.
When you say it can see the other machine do you mean you can ping or can see shares / printers on it too?
Davey_Pitch
15-04-2007, 12:57
It can see it when I view the Workgroup computers, and I can ping it fine. I'm sure it's something simple I'm missing, I just need to see what it is :)
Davey_Pitch
15-04-2007, 13:02
Hmmm, the plot thickens. I installed TVersity on the new machine, and now the Xbox 360 can see it and connect to it fine. This now makes me think that something on the other machine may be blocking the outgoing connection, rather than the new machine blocking the incoming connection.
I'm confused :/
Just to confirm:
PC1 works fine in all apsects apart from not being able to connect to PC2.
The xbox connects to and plays media from PC2 ok.
PC2 connects up to PC1 and everything works as normal.
All network settings including subnet are fine.
Couple of Q's:
PC2 has just been added to your network, is it brand new or a rebuild of an old machine?
What happens when on PC1 when you do a "net view pc2" from the command prompt?
Davey_Pitch
15-04-2007, 13:36
Just to confirm:
PC1 works fine in all apsects apart from not being able to connect to PC2.
The xbox connects to and plays media from PC2 ok.
PC2 connects up to PC1 and everything works as normal.
All network settings including subnet are fine.
Yup, correct. The Xbox also connects to and plays media from PC1 as well. All network settings are assigned by the router, and fine.
Couple of Q's:
PC2 has just been added to your network, is it brand new or a rebuild of an old machine?
What happens when on PC1 when you do a "net view pc2" from the command prompt?
PC2 is my old PC from when I was living in Leeds, but it's still a decent spec.
When I do new view, I get...
"System Error 5 has occured.
Access is denied"
PC1 and PC2 using the same account (login) names - and passwords if you set them?
Anything actually 'shared' on PC2?
Davey_Pitch
15-04-2007, 14:19
Yup, both using the same login name (no password), and I've set up a couple of shares on PC2.
Firstly, forget the workgroup bollocks, it's a hacky crappy thing and I hate it - access the machines either by \\ip_address or \\hostname (if you've set the hosts file up).
Secondly, for now, forget about creating shares - use the admin one(s) (c$ etc).
Thirdly - set passwords on the accounts, and make it the same.
Fourthly (?) - Disable the firewall on both
Fifthly(??) - Try and connect to \\ip_address\c$ - where IP address is firstly the machine you're on, then the machine you're trying to reach.
Come back and say what works and what didnt :)
Yup, correct. The Xbox also connects to and plays media from PC1 as well. All network settings are assigned by the router, and fine.
PC2 is my old PC from when I was living in Leeds, but it's still a decent spec.
When I do new view, I get...
"System Error 5 has occured.
Access is denied"
Have you called it the same name again?
What happens if you try and map a drive on PC1 to \\PC2\c$ but specifying the username to use by clicking on "different user name".
Davey_Pitch
15-04-2007, 21:24
Firstly, forget the workgroup bollocks, it's a hacky crappy thing and I hate it - access the machines either by \\ip_address or \\hostname (if you've set the hosts file up).
Secondly, for now, forget about creating shares - use the admin one(s) (c$ etc).
Thirdly - set passwords on the accounts, and make it the same.
Fourthly (?) - Disable the firewall on both
Fifthly(??) - Try and connect to \\ip_address\c$ - where IP address is firstly the machine you're on, then the machine you're trying to reach.
Come back and say what works and what didnt :)
1) Attempting to connect to the IP address gives me a "path cannot be found" error message
2) Tried and failed
3) Not tried yet, will do when Lynne is off the TV
4) Already done, was one of the first things I tried
5) Aiming for my own IP address works fine, going for the other fails. This is despite the fact that I can ping the machine fine, and get the correct IP address that way.
This is starting to get annoying now. When did networking become such a pain in the ass? It's easy at work ;D
Sounds purely like a password problem. Actually, is "simple file sharing" enabled? It makes things much simpler if you don't need all the NTFS permissions crap.
Davey_Pitch
15-04-2007, 21:36
Passwords now the same on both machines, still no joy. Simple file sharing is also enabled.
1) Attempting to connect to the IP address gives me a "path cannot be found" error message
Just screams firewall. With the firewall down you should at least get a denied message, if not a credential prompt or some actual shares.
Is file and printer sharing enabled on the network interface(s)?
Is it bound to a protocol too?
Davey_Pitch
15-04-2007, 22:31
Just screams firewall. With the firewall down you should at least get a denied message, if not a credential prompt or some actual shares.
Is file and printer sharing enabled on the network interface(s)?
Aye, I checked that earlier in case I'd missed it, but it's there and enabled.
Davey_Pitch
16-04-2007, 00:14
Finally! Decided to go again from scratch on both machines. Ran the network setup wizard on both of them, put them in the same Workgroup, disabled file and printer sharing, then rebooted. Turned off simple file sharing and the firewall (which came back on when I re-did the network setup wizard), then created the admin shares on both machines. I can now map drives in both directions, which is all I really wanted to do in the first place (but thought using the standard shares would be easier). Now I just map the necessary drives and set them to reconnect at login. Job sorted, thanks for all your help guys. If anything it was a learning experience :)
Edit: Getting this sorted also means I now have Remote Desktop working too. Ideal for doing something on PC2 if Lynne is watching TV :)
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