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Guide: Troubleshoot XP File/Printer Sharing Part1 - Finding Network Computers?
[CENTER]Troubleshoot XP File/Printer Sharing, Part 1 of 3
Computers all visible? (v1.1 10./08)[/CENTER][CENTER][/center]
Windows File and Printer Sharing (FPS) must be configured for a “mix-and-match” of machines / components / options. This guide helps troubleshoot XP File Sharing visibility and access problems
Check each network connection used for file sharing. This guide assumes all devices and shares are on a single subnet (makes the task easier)
Confirm services are set to start on boot (Startup Type=Automatic) and are currently running (Status=Started)
The Event Log service records significant events in the Event Log
If 3rd party firewalls installed, verify only one firewall is running per system. More then one can cause problems
Testing Network Visibility
Guide presents a basic test approach
=> If no visibility issues while testing, continue to Part3 if any access errors
=> If problems, double- and triple-check “Part1” then see Part2, Computer Browser Service
[CENTER]Troubleshoot XP File/Printer Sharing, Part 1 of 3
Computers all visible? (v1.1 10./08)[/CENTER][CENTER][/center]
Windows File and Printer Sharing (FPS) must be configured for a “mix-and-match” of machines / components / options. This guide helps troubleshoot XP File Sharing visibility and access problems
Visibility Errors. Some of your computers can’t see/find all others on your Windows Network
Access Errors. A user can’t connect to or is denied access when attempting to use a remote resource
This guide has 3 partsAccess Errors. A user can’t connect to or is denied access when attempting to use a remote resource
- Part 1 (this post) troubleshoots most visibility issues
- Part 2 explains/troubleshoots Computer Browser Service which may also cause visibility issues
- Part 3https://www.techspot.com/vb/topic111495.html troubleshoots access errors
NOTES
Configuration/Setup Checklist- Visibility problems must be fixed before tackling access errors. Successfully complete the visibility tests outlined in this document before proceeding to another part
- Control Panel Classic View is assumed (applets display in single list).
See upper left Control Panel to switch between Classic and Category View - This guide is specific to XP Home and XP Pro tho many “things to look for” apply to Vista as well
- User logs on to their computer (client) and requests a resource (on server)
- Server authenticates the client request. It completes a client to server network logon and establishes the client/server session
- A single computer can be both a client and server if it requests resources of others while offering its own
1. Verify Computer and Workgroup Names
- Click My Computer -> Properties. Click Computer Name tab
- Check (note: uppper/lower case sensitivity)
- Computer Name: (must be unique across your network)
- Workgroup: (must be identical for all computers which share a set of files and printers)
- To change Computer Name or Workgroup, click Change. You must restart before changes take affect
Check each network connection used for file sharing. This guide assumes all devices and shares are on a single subnet (makes the task easier)
Control Panel -> NetworkConnection Check connections are Enabled and Connected. Then Rt click->Properties
3. Verify Services- Verify items under “used by the connection” are there and checked
- Client for Microsoft Networks
- File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks (only required on computers owning shared resources)
- Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) (should always be present. Can not be uninstalled. If corrupted, see Microsoft KB299357)
- Verify NetBIOS enabled
- Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) -> Properties
- Click General tab -> Advanced
- Click WINS tab. Under NetBIOS setting, click Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
- Close dialog boxes
- Verify the subnet
The subnet mask of each adaptor and device used in filesharing must be identical across the LAN
=> Start->Run, cmd. Enter: ipconfig /all (note the blank ipconfig’ and the forward ‘/’)
=> Check subnet mask of each adapter
Confirm services are set to start on boot (Startup Type=Automatic) and are currently running (Status=Started)
Start->Run enter services.msc Scroll through service list to find then check
=> Computer Browser
=> TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service
=> Event Log
To set a service’s Startup Type
=> Rt click on service then Properties
=> Set Startup Type = Automatic
If Startup Type already = Automatic but Status not= Started, there’s a problem! Look in Event Log if any clues (next step)
4. Check Windows Event Log for errors=> Computer Browser
=> TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service
=> Event Log
To set a service’s Startup Type
=> Rt click on service then Properties
=> Set Startup Type = Automatic
If Startup Type already = Automatic but Status not= Started, there’s a problem! Look in Event Log if any clues (next step)
The Event Log service records significant events in the Event Log
To check Event Logs
5. Check if multiple firewalls- Start->Run, eventvwr.msc
- Click System then View -> Filter. Only check Information and Warning. Uncheck others. OK
- Review events of last few days. In particular, since last boot.
- Double click event for description. Click the link you find in description
- Use Microsoft Help and Support to search Event Source and ID
- Browser: Check on each computer
- Firewall blocking ports needed by FPS
- FPS not installed on a net connection
- NetBIOS over TCP/IP not enabled on a net connection
- MRxSMB: May indicate Browser error. Event ID: 8003 indicates a “Master Browser” error (see Part 2 for Computer Browser issues
- Service Control Manager: May indicate Browser error. Event ID: 7036 occurs if a service can’t start. Check the description. If it says Computer Browser, check the issues above for Event Source:Browser
- Tcpip: protocol errors. Look at Event ID and description. If TCP/IP or Winsock might be corrupted you may want to reset them see Microsoft KB299357
If 3rd party firewalls installed, verify only one firewall is running per system. More then one can cause problems
- Verify Windows firewall is OFF (Control Panel -> Windows Firewall. On General tab, check Off, click OK)
- Verify other firewall is running
Guide presents a basic test approach
=> If no visibility issues while testing, continue to Part3 if any access errors
=> If problems, double- and triple-check “Part1” then see Part2, Computer Browser Service
Your tests should control two important variables. Assess their affect on your setup
=> Firewalls. Misconfigured firewalls may cause many problems. Start testing with all Firewalls OFF
=> Wireless. Brief gaps in reliability / performance may affect sharing. Start with LAN systems only
A) Basic Visibility Test
Sample test scenarios offered below. They vary the test conditions by
=> All firewalls ON or OFF
=> All wireless adapters ENABLED or DISABLED
=> Firewalls. Misconfigured firewalls may cause many problems. Start testing with all Firewalls OFF
=> Wireless. Brief gaps in reliability / performance may affect sharing. Start with LAN systems only
A) Basic Visibility Test
Test each computer’s view of Windows network
> Rt-click My Network Places, select Open
> From Network Tasks (in upper left) select View Workgroup Computers
===> If more then one workgroup: workgroup, names aren’t identical. Fix
===> If one workgroup, open to check for access issues
B) Test Scenarios> Rt-click My Network Places, select Open
> From Network Tasks (in upper left) select View Workgroup Computers
===> If more then one workgroup: workgroup, names aren’t identical. Fix
===> If one workgroup, open to check for access issues
Sample test scenarios offered below. They vary the test conditions by
=> All firewalls ON or OFF
=> All wireless adapters ENABLED or DISABLED
For each test scenario
..a) Select / configure systems meeting test criteria
..b) Begin with all systems shutdown. Then, startup two
..c) Perform the How to Test steps (above in A). If it succeeds, incrementally start systems one-by-one then test until all successfully or you find the failure point to fix
Notes
..a) Before turning firewalls off, FIRST disconnect your ISP. When firewalls are off, keep the outside world outside!
..b) A misconfigured firewall can result in errors that seem to point elsewhere
..c) Many firewall and network changes aren’t immediately reflected by the behavior you see in Windows Network. It often takes time. You can:
==> Reboot. Changes are reflected at startup, or
==> Be patient. Can take up to 15 mins for the change to be appear in Windows
Test Set 1, Firewalls: Off, Wireless: As Is
=> If works, is likely a firewall configuration issue. Turn firewalls back on one at a time to localize
Test Set 2, Firewalls: Off, Wireless: Disabled
=> If works, it may indicate the problem was corrected by assigning MasterBrowser to LAN only systems. See Part2 configure Computer Browswer Service roles on your network
Test Set 3, Firewalls: On, Wireless: Enabled
=> Incrementally test with LAN only systems first
=> Then start adding Wireless machines
..a) Select / configure systems meeting test criteria
..b) Begin with all systems shutdown. Then, startup two
..c) Perform the How to Test steps (above in A). If it succeeds, incrementally start systems one-by-one then test until all successfully or you find the failure point to fix
Notes
..a) Before turning firewalls off, FIRST disconnect your ISP. When firewalls are off, keep the outside world outside!
..b) A misconfigured firewall can result in errors that seem to point elsewhere
..c) Many firewall and network changes aren’t immediately reflected by the behavior you see in Windows Network. It often takes time. You can:
==> Reboot. Changes are reflected at startup, or
==> Be patient. Can take up to 15 mins for the change to be appear in Windows
Test Set 1, Firewalls: Off, Wireless: As Is
=> If works, is likely a firewall configuration issue. Turn firewalls back on one at a time to localize
Test Set 2, Firewalls: Off, Wireless: Disabled
=> If works, it may indicate the problem was corrected by assigning MasterBrowser to LAN only systems. See Part2 configure Computer Browswer Service roles on your network
Test Set 3, Firewalls: On, Wireless: Enabled
=> Incrementally test with LAN only systems first
=> Then start adding Wireless machines
