Readers Questions.
IF01950
Q.
Do you have any tips for solving problems when Networking in Windows XP?
A.
This list has evolved and will continue to be
expanded as I answer more questions regarding Networking for XP.
1. Even if
it tells you to do it, don't run Windows XP's Network Setup Wizard on the other
networked computers. You want to make the Windows XP computer conform to the
existing network. The Wizard wants to make the rest of the network conform to
XP.
2. You
must disable Windows XP's Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) on a local area
network connection to other computers. If it's enabled on a LAN, ICF will block
File and Printer Sharing.
3. To make
most network settings, you must be logged on as a user that is a member of the
Administrators group.
4. Use the
same protocol for File and Printer Sharing on all computers.
5. Remove
all network protocols that aren't required for a specific purpose.
6. If you
have multiple protocols, un-bind File and Printer Sharing from all but one.
Using more than one protocol, even on just one networked computer, can make
networking with XP unreliable.
7. TCP/IP,
by itself, works for all Windows networking functions.
8. If you
assign IP addresses manually, use the same IP subnet on all computers.
9. NetBEUI
isn't necessary. [I think I would make it blunter than that: "If NetBEUI is
installed, the network won't work." At least that has been my experience so
far.]
10. Use
the same workgroup name on all computers.
11. For
peer-to-peer networks, be sure NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled: Start, Control
Panel, Network and Dial-up Connection. Right-click Local Area Connection,
Properties, Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Properties, Advanced, WINS tab, Enable
NetBIOS over TCP/IP, OK, OK, Close. If you have a broadband router with a DHCP
server or other DHCP server on your network (not the ISP DHSP server), try
enabling Use NetBIOS setting from the DHCP server instead.
12. Be
sure the Computer Browser Service is running... Right click My Computer, Manage,
System Tools, Services, Double Click the Computer Browser service, set to
Automatic, OK.
13. If you
have Norton firewall installed you may run into problems. Try completely
uninstalling it to eliminate it as the problem. If that fixes the problem,
reinstall and try setting the security level to its lowest setting.
14. Assign
share names other than the default names that have a $ in them. Share names with
a $ in them are Administrative shares and cannot be seen on the network.
15. Enable
the guest account or setup individual accounts for users on other PCs to access
shared resources... Start, right-click My Computer, Manage, Tools, Local Users
and Groups...
16.
Individual Accounts in Windows XP Pro for remote users logging in from other
computers on the local network, etc. cannot have blank password. These logins
can be automated in the Control Panel, User Accounts, select the account, Manage
my network passwords.
17. If you
have a broadband router, set your TCP/IP Properties to obtain the IP address
automatically from the router's built-in DHCP server. Setting DNS to auto should
also work with most routers.
18. If you
are using Windows ICS to share an Internet connection (you don't have a
broadband router), set the client machines' TCP/IP properties to obtain their IP
addresses automatically from the ICS host (the one with the Internet connection
and two network adapters). ICS has a built in DHCP server. Do not install ICS on
the clients. The ICS host is assigned a static, private IP address or
192.168.0.1 for the local network adapter when ICS is installed. If static IP
addresses are used for the client computers, there may be conflict with the IP
address scoop of the ICS DHCP server and the network may not work.
19. Do not
install Windows ICS if you are using a broadband router (yes, people have done
that).
20. Verify
that the Requirements for Browsing a Windows Network are satisfied.
Let me know if you need anything else.
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