Network mystery (WXP-Pro)

[pappy3]

Hoping a network-savvy troubleshooter will read and advise! I have a wired 3-computer workgroup connected through a D-Link DI-604 router that assigns static IP addresses in the 192.168.0.--- range. One computer runs XP Home, two run XP Pro. The attempted setup is to use the router as a gateway without either computer being a host, as has worked for several years. This is a new replacement setup with two new computers and a new router. All computers connect properly to the internet, all have systray icons that indicate a good connection, but the two computers using XP pro will show nothing in the my-network-places, not even the shared drives on themselves. In other words, I am unable to share files or printers because the computers won't recognize each other. The one running XP home will show the group with all three computers properly named, but won't show any drives on either of the others, only its own. Often when attempting to see the others in my-netwook- places a message finally appears stating the group is not accessible and the administrator should be contacted. I am the administrator and am logged in as such on all three computers. I have tried to access with the XP firewall both enabled and disabled. Same for Norton internet security. Diagnostics on one XP Pro shows everything working and connecting properly on it. On the other, everything shows to be working except the MA loopback test and it shows a network address 192.168.0.255 which is an unknown address to me and I don't know where it is coming from. The one running XP Home has no diagnostics test capability. Dell is disinterested. MS says Dell is responsible because they sold the OEM OS so they can't help. I'm left to find one of the little people like myself who knows more than I do. If this is in your area of expertise I will gratefully accept your assistance and advice. Thanks. Bob

[Wanderer2]

192.168.0.0 and .255 are broadcast addresses and in your case don't matter.

Please check the following;
all three list the same workgroup name
all three are logged into with the same account/passwrd
all three have file and print sharing enabled
all three have something shared
all three can ping each other by address.
all three have any firewall software disabled/uninstalled until you have a working network.

[pappy3]

Many thanks for your suggestions! All your enumerated conditions are met EXCEPT the pinging, and therein lies the problem. Here's what happens when pinging by address:

#1 WILL ping #2 and the router, but WON'T #3.

#2 WON'T ping #1 or #3 but WILL ping the router.

#3 WILL ping #2 and the router but WON'T #1.

All three computers have these items checked:
Client for MS Networking, File & Print Sharing, QoS Packet Scheduling, TCP/IP, and MS TCP/IP ver.6.

All show good connections and the systray icon indicates a connection at 100MBS.

All three will connect to the internet through the ethernet DI-604 router.

#2 (running XP home) will show all three computers in the group. When I change the name of #1 or #3 at that computer, the name change shows on #2. Neither #1 nor #3 shared components can be viewed on #2, though. Only the computer names are listed. The returned error message says "(computer name) not accessible..."

#2 and #3 won't show any computers in the workgroup and returns a message saying "(workgroup) not accessible..."

Can you suggest any setting changes that might get me going, please? I will welcome and try any suggestions, and thank you! Bob

[Wanderer2]

what is that ms tcp/ip ver6 about?
Two tcp/ip stacks doesn't look good to me. You should list just Internet Protocol [Tcp/ip]

Remove the ver6 and reboot.

[pappy3]

Got it! Thanks much for your help. The problem was Norton Internet Security that came on two computers which, unlike the Norton AV I am accustomed to, includes a firewall. I had the XP firewall off and didn't know there was another. Your original suggestions were correct. After replacing the Norton product I now have all computers communicating with each other. Again, thank you! Bob

[sausage]

I personally turn the XP firewall OFF, the Norton firewall ON, and then run the wizard in the norton firewall configurations.