Hi All,

After much headscratching and a thorough search of previous wireless network threads I am still at a loss as to why I cant access my network.
The story so far...
New PC (PC1)running Windows XP Pro SP2, connected to the net via a Belkin Modem/Router (F5D7633-4) Old PC (PC2) running Windows XP Pro SP2 connected to the internet via a Belkin USB adaptor (F5D7051) Both PCs can surf the net and send/receive email. I have set up a network (I think) using the new PC as a server, both PCs are logging into the workgroup on start up. PC1 can see PC2 but cant access it. PC2 cant see PC1. Both PCs can ping each other through IP address and computer name so Im assuming they are able to communicate in some shape or form. I have checked the firewalls on both PCs and on the router, they should be able to communicate. I have also enabled TCP/IP, client for microsoft networks & file and printer sharing on both PCs. When I open the workgroup on PC1 I have 2 PC icons, I can open PC1 and see the shared files but PC2 tells me I dont have access and the network path doesnt exist I also did a regedit and looked for the RestrictAnonymous file but its value was already set to zero. One thing that puzzled me was that on installing the modem/router there were no drivers as such, just an instruction manual. Obviously as its working I assume that I havent missed anything out but it seems slightly odd that I dont have anything in the taskbar or desktop to say its installed
Any pointers from anyone a bit more savvy than I ?
Thanks in advance

Reading a different forum, I came up with this:
Does My Computer Support Automatic Wireless Network Configuration?
Not all Windows XP computers with Wi-Fi wireless support are capable of automatic wireless configuration. To verify your Windows XP computer supports this feature, you must access its Wireless Network Connection properties:
From the Start Menu, open Windows Control Panel.
Inside Control Panel, click the "Network Connections" option if it exists, otherwise first click "Network and Internet Connections" and then click "Network Connections."
Finally, right-click "Wireless Network Connection" and choose "Properties."
In the Wireless Network Connection properties window, do you see a "Wireless Networks" tab? If not, your Wi-Fi network adapter lacks so-called Windows Zero Configuration (WZC) support, and the built-in Windows XP automatic wireless configuration feature will remain unavailable to you. Replace your wireless network adapter if necessary to enable this feature.

I dont have a connection saying 'Wireless network connection' only 'Local Area Connection' have I missed something?

Are you using the wireless features are all of the machines hard cables to the router.
Basically from what I can tell if you can ping between the devices then you have a network setup. Do you have the IP addresses set on static or on DHCP from the router. This will make a big differance. Mainly due to the IP addresses will keep on changing so connection to a PC via a IP address will be difficult.
If they are static then you will need to advice what the settings are and we can see if the issue is lying there.

It sounds to me like it is a permissions issue. Make sure you have enabled file sharing on both machines.

Hi there,
Taking your points in order:

I am using wireless on both machines, the only cable involved is the RJ45 between the modem/router and the server.
According to my ISP (BT) my ISP addresses are dynamic
I have file sharing enabled on both machines.

Someone has mentioned mapping the drives but when i try that I get an error message saying the path doesnt exist

You won't be able to map the drives if you can't access them. Do both machines have an identical account on them (called account mirroring)? If not, setup identical accounts (and passwords) on both systems - this will often fix the connectivity problems.

It has to do with how default file-sharing is handled - but I'm not very familiar with it.

Hi usasma

Just tried that but to no avail I have also enabled the guest account on both machines, this doesnt help either.

That's just the start, there's plenty more to do!

I'd next suggest running the Network Setup Wizard on PC1 and choose the option to save the settings to a disk. Then use that disk to setup the network on PC2.

Ok, we have a little progress this morning. One problem that I found was that the wireless zero configuration setting on PC2 was switching itself off on re-boot. I have sorted this and now both PCs are connected to the same network, or Im assuming they are. PC2 tells me its connected but I cant find anywhere on PC1 saying that Im connected.

I had already tried the network wizard thing you suggested but I tried again this morning. I inserted the network set up disc in PC2 and worked through the wizard, towards the end it flashed a warning that due to some of the settings the installation may not work.
I worked my way through this article this and towards the end it tells you to select START - RUN - and then type %SystemRoot%\nsw.log this brings up a log which contained the following:

Network Setup Wizard Log
Attempting to set computer name
Old computer name is the same as new computer name - not setting.
Setting server description (comment): Radan Server
Attempting to set workgroup name
Workgroup name is the same as the old one - not setting.
Shared Printer: Epson Stylus COLOR 1520 ESC/P 2 (Copy 1)
Shared Printer: Epson Stylus COLOR 1520 ESC/P 2

This would imply that PC1 and PC2 are using the same names. I can assure you they are totally different. One thing that may be affecting it is the fact that PC2 used to be my main PC for running some CAD software, at this time PC2 was called Greig, that name has since been changed to DORSEND-1.My new PC is called GreigD so I'm wondering if somewhere in its memory its picking up on the old name? I have some comms software running from my CAD to machinery which uses the PC name as an ID so I dont want to change the name if i dont have to

I suspect that you've hit the nail on the head. Try searching the registry for instances of the old name and see if that turns up anything (just a shot in the dark).

Go to Start...Run...and type in "sysdm.cpl" on each system(without the quotes) and press Enter. Then click on the Computer Name tab. Ensure that the Computer Name is different on each system - and that the Workgroup name is exactly the same.

Morning usasma,
Ok, I have renamed both PCs and re-run the network set up wizard. Both PCs are booting up into the same workgroup and the network can be seen on both PCs by right clicking 'my network places' When I explore the workgroup on my PC (PC1) I can see both PCs but when I try to open or explore PC2 Im still getting this error

\\PC2 is not accessible. You may not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. The network path was not found.


I thought Id try to map the drive, Im trying to reach a file called 'word documents' on PC2. I go into Map Network Drive, select 'z' as the drive and type \\PC2\Word Documents. When I hit finish it sits for a while before I see:

The network path \\PC2\Word Documents cannot be found. It must be something really simple but I cant find it

I've cracked it, it was the firewalls all the time. I have disabled the firewalls on both machines and the system is fine. The only thing I dont like is that I feel very vulnerable with the firewalls completely off although the router firewall should be doing its job. How do I find which ports to open to allow the PCs to communicate without having to completely disable the firewalls?

Depending on your firewalls you should be able to allow traffic on the LAN without exposing it to the internet. If you can't, I'd suggest this free alternative: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Sygate_Personal_...Free_d3356.html

Have you checked for and installed firmware from thew Mfg.

Phil