I hope this is the right way to do things, sending it here rather than directly to Terrence.

His message:

Date:    Fri, 14 Mar 2003 17:28:22 -0500
From:    Terrence Nolley <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Sharing Files on a Network..

I'm in the process of setting up a small home network with the
following hardware:  Dell workstation running WinXP, Compaq laptop
running Win98, Linksys wireless Access Point Router w/built in 4 port
switch and a cable modem.  The Dell workstation is wired into one
ethernet port and the laptop gains Internet access via Linksys wireless
PC card.  The two computers have no problem gaining access to the
Internet. My problem is that the Dell workstation can view shared
resources on the Win98 laptop but the laptop can not browse the network
nor view any folders shared on the Dell WinXP workstation.  BTW, I did
use a Network Setup disk created by the WinXP wizard, when configuring
the laptop to be added to the local network.  Any suggestions would be
greatly appreciated.

My response:

I had a similar strange home-networking problem between my Desktop computer and my IBM Thinkpad, both running factory installed Windows XP Pro with all of the latest updates, along with Norton Personal Firewall.  The problem was that the Thinkpad could not see the shared folders on the Desktop using "My Network Places" while the Desktop could see the shared folder on both computers.  "View Workgroup Computers" also worked on the Desktop, showing both computers, whereas clicking "View Workgroup Computers" on the Thinkpad only produced a "clunk" sound.  Finally, on the Desktop unit I could transfer files both directions -- i.e., from the Thinkpad to the Desktop and from the Desktop to the Thinkpad.  

 

I had reconfigured the home network several times both using Windows XP Pro Home Networking Wizard and manually.  I turn off the Windows firewall and use Norton Personal Firewall configured on each computer with Trust Zones based on three IP ranges (169.254.0-255.0-255, 12.91.0-255.0-255, and 192.168.0-255.0-255),  but even turning the firewalls off did not change things. 

 

I was able to correct the problem by removing Nero5 Burning ROM (I even had their their latest updates installed).  The problem is reversible and reproducible. That is, when I uninstall Nero5 Burning ROM and InCD everything works fine.  Install it again and the problem reappears.  I have sent them an email but have received no response. 

 

The fact that I could transfer files both way was the clue that showed that it was not a firewall issue.  I hope this helps since it was driving me nuts.

 

David M. Hall

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