The problem
You are unable to connect to any network resource (network shares, printer, etc) on a Windows XP machine, from a Win XP client.
A solution (there could be several causes)
- On the target machine (the one you're trying to connect to) open up Services, under Administrative Tools in the Start Menu.
- Scroll down to the Computer Browser service.
- If it is Disabled or set to Manual, set it to Automatic.
- Then start it. It may stop immediately again, but this is OK.
- At this point try to connect to the target machine.
- open up Network Connections, under Control Panel.
- Right click on your network adapter and click on Properties.
- Click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click on Properties.
- Click on Advanced, and click on the WINS tab.
- Even if it is set to Default, set the radio button to Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
- Press OK on each screen until everything's closed.
- Go back to the client machine and try again.
- You should be able to connect!
- Go back to the Services window and find the service named Routing and Remote Access.
- Double-click on it, set it to Manual, and stop it.
- Close Services and try to connect from your client machine again.
, Microsoft Windows XP Networking Inside Out
, or Windows XP Home Networking
.If this helped you, or if you found another solution to this common and frustrating problem, please leave a comment to help others!
p.s. See here for a possible Windows 2000 solution.
18 comments:
To share resources such as file and print sharing. You must first rename the drive you're trying to share to local disk E: or whatever the drive letter will already be named. example local disk, don't change or add a drive letter.After that simply map to the computer name and dive letter using the unc path. example \\computer name\E and wahlah, coool hey. Don't use netbios over tcp/ip or go into the services or registry. Be sue that all the computers are in the same workgroup.I've tried this with 2000pro and xp pro service pack 2 mechines and it works everytime.Microsoft does not recommend using netbios if at all possible. Use client for microsoft networks, file and print sharing and tcp/ip...Hope this helps.
Thanks for posting. Interesting tip.
Thank for this valuable information.
No probs - thanks for reading. I just Windows networking was more stable, but hey it makes for lots of interesting blog posts.
It appears that the box "client for microsoft networks" must be checked
as well as the NETBIOS default or enable box being checked. I did Netbios, still no luck until I checked "client for microsoft networks", then it all came back. How this changed? dont know.
When all in windows goes all right, it is not necesary to check in services or the registry, but, when this badly created system is wrong, services and registry could save your live.
For "humans" or "mortals" it seems like 'too complicated', but for us, it is the day to day.
Thanks for all tips, neither works for me. Grrr!
After many attempts, I have already achieved.
I had to restart the Computer Browser service and enable net Bios.
Thank you very much!
Applause!
Great fix. I was trying for weeks and this is the only fix that works.
Here's the thing: seeing the PCs in my workgroup and file sharing only stays on for 15 minutes or so after your fix. It doesn't matter if I start or stop the "routing and remote access" as long as I change it.
Any ideas on what could be blocking the workgroup after those 15 minutes?
I could acess folders on my pc from the laptop but couldnt access laptop files from the Pc these tips fixed my problem
@joneric - glad it helped you a bit.
I think starting/stopping Routing and Remote Access resets something. From your description it sounds like some other competing service is starting up again.
Do you have other computers on your network that could be competing for position of Master Browser? In the past I have had this problem. One thing I would say is to look in your Event Log, like it describes here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/135404
@anonymous: glad you sorted out your issue! Now let's all hope Microsoft totally rewrites their networking in the next OS!
Also @Gvann - I am glad you sorted out your issue! I should update this post with some of the other suggestions. One for the list.
THe firewall must be informed of the other computers to allow them to pass through.
Thanks for the reminder to check this. Found remote access off on one of my machines. Have no idea why it was disabeled, but problem solved. Thanks again. Mike.
millions of thanks dear. You work really great. Problem solved perfectly by method no. 2.
CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello. I had this problem intermittently for a long while. My main PC would fail to connect to my secondary PC even though both were connected on the same switch. On the other hand, my laptop and media center had no problem connecting to the secondary computer. All PCs were running Windows Vista.
Ignore most of what you've read online -- stuff like disable your firewall etc... I saw those same tips and they were just not going to help.
I found that this is what fixes it:
1. Go to control panel
2. Click on "Network and Internet/View network status and tasks"
3. Select the "Manage network connections" link on the left "Tasks" section
4. Double-click on your LAN adapter that you're using to connect to the network. (For example, "Local Area Connection"
5. Select properties
6. Select "Client For Microsoft Networks"
7. Click on Properties
8. On the RPC Services tab, go to the "Name service provider" and select "Windows Locator" from the drop down menu
9. Click OK
10.Click close
11. Click close
After a second or two, you should be able to now connect to your other computer.
I have no idea which software changed that setting and I found that when I went back to it, it had been changed again to blank.
So if you see the problem again, follow the steps above.
It worked for me and I hope it works for you too!
If it does, drop me a note at o-e-c-h-e-r-u-o at gmail.com
(remove the dashes and extra spaces and replace the at with a @)
Hi all,
if it does not work all above solutions please repair the system with the Windows xp SP2.
It should work.
i tried with this method. no problems were not found in machine.
i am maintaining with 90 xp machines. there is no problems with each other. and i followed above 3 methods but still i got the problem. finally i did this method. it is working fine.
hope it will help to somebody.
Thanks
sridhar
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