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 Turns out the share name on the XP laptop was wrong, so I changed it to C. I still have access denied on the laptop when trying to access it from the other computers. I have disabled all firewalls (except the default running in the Netgear WVR614 v6 router) and am using the same user name with admin permission on all PCs. Vista laptop is set up with Network Discovery, File Sharing, and Printer sharing on, Password Protected sharing off. I’ve allowed sharing with Full Control for Everyone.

This is indeed one of those infuriating problems and I’m glad that one of the laptops is now cooperating. One down, one to go. If you click on View Full Map, do all computers show up in the network? I have a feeling they will, but they still do not see each other in the “View Computers and Devices” screen.

Apparently file sharing this is a common Vista networking problem with many variables. Let’s go through a few more ideas.

Workgroup Names

All of the computers on the network should have the same workgroup name. By default, Vista computers go into the “WORKGROUP” workgroup while Windows XP computers default to a different name, “MSHOME.” Since your other computers are both XP and they are talking to each other, double check the workgroup name and then change the Vista laptop’s workgroup to match.

To change the Vista workgroup go to Start and right-click Computer. Choose Properties. Find the Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings area and click Change Settings. Click the Change button and type in the new workgroup name.

Windows Services

Let’s double check that all the necessary services are running. Go to the Start button, type Services.msc in the Search bar and click the Services icon. Make sure that the following services are started, preferably set to automatic.

• SSDP Discovery
• TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
• Computer Browser
• Server

Network Protocols and Firewalls

I know you’ve disabled the firewalls. What about your computer’s security software? Users of Norton Internet Security have reported that incoming NetBIOS connections are not automatically allowed in the Norton Internet Security program. By enabling incoming NetBIOS traffic, some users have solved this problem.

According to a detailed article in Microsoft’s Technet section, third party firewalls need to have the following network protocols enabled for the discovery of computers running Vista:

• UDP 3702
• TCP 5357
• TCP 5358

Plus the following for Windows XP discovery and Vista file and print sharing:

• UDP 137
• UDP 138
• TCP 139
• TCP 445

Link Layer Topology Discovery Responder

Since you are having trouble with Windows XP computers mixing with Windows Vista, your XP machines will need the Link Layer Topology Discovery Responder installed. This download from Microsoft enables XP machines to be found and displayed on the network. Your Vista computer is already be equipped with this technology.

Hopefully one of these variables will be the one that does the trick for you.  

Our home computer is Windows XP, with Telstra(bigpond) ADSL 2 for the Internet connection. Our son has an Asus Eee PC 701SD. We need to know if he can use his laptop for the Internet without any leads, ariels etc., or do we need something else to be able to do this? Telstra told us it’s not possible and would cost us $150 for them to send someone around.

Wireless Networking

It sounds like you are talking about setting up a wireless network for your house. It’s actually pretty simple to set up and is not as daunting as it sounds. A network will simply allow more than one computer to share an Internet connection, a printer and even share files if you wish to set it up that way.

ADSL stands for Asymetric Digital Subscriber Line (don’t worry, there’s no test later) and it is data technology that transmits information over copper telephone lines so that it is faster than a dial-up connection. In order to use this connection wirelessly with more than one computer, you will need a wireless router. If you want to use a computer over a wireless network, your computer will need a wireless adapter - the laptop probably already has one, but you can put one on a desktop PC if you want to put it in another room. Most of them you simply plug into a USB port on the unit.

Wireless Internet Set Up

Your Internet connection runs into your home over a telephone line. It will then run into a modem (which you probably already have hooked up). The modem converts the computer’s digital signals into a frequency that can travel over phone or cable lines. You will then plug the wireless router into the modem. The wireless router will send signals to the laptop and desktop computers (most home networks have a maximum of four computers that can be used with it), a lot like the signal for a cordless phone.

I’ve edited your question, but you say that you don’t know anything about the Internet and computers. While this isn’t a very difficult thing to do, you may want to pay a professional to come and set it up for you. Or, if your son is old enough and has the interest, he can read up on the Internet about the exact steps he will need to take and the equipment he will need and tackle the job himself. Don’t tell him how much the company would charge to set it up, but you might want to give him a tip for his efforts. We can also answer specific questions about the set up as long as we have all of the information at hand.

Two weeks ago my Internet went off and never connected again on my Acer 2920 laptop but it was still connected to every other computer in the house. I tried several WLANs but it keeps saying disconnected. I tried the Diagnose and Repair tool, but it says “network diagnostics can’t run because the diagnostics policy service is not running”. I tried running the service but it just said access denied error 5. Please help me?

Windows System Restore

One way to work around this error message is to use System Restore to set your computer back to previous settings before it encountered this problem. System Restore won’t delete any of your data, only change the configuration, however you will need to repeat any updates or any other changes you have made since the last Restore Point was saved.

How to Use System Restore

To use System Restore:

1. Click Start, then choose Control Panel
2. Type System Restore into the search bar and then Enter
3. Under System, choose Restore System Files and Settings from a Restore Point

Access System Restore in Safe Mode

If this doesn’t work, you might see an error message about System Restore not completing properly. If so, you can try again, but this time access System Restore in Safe Mode. To boot your computer into Safe Mode:

1. Power your computer down normally and let it rest for a minute
2. Boot your system back up, wait a few seconds then start pressing F8 repeatedly
3. If you get a keyboard error, power down and try again but wait a little longer to start pressing F8
4. Choose Safe Mode using the arrows on your keyboard and press Enter
5. Log in as usual
6. Choose System Restore
7. Choose a date before you noticed the problem
8. Allow the process to run and reboot if necessary

Troubleshoot your IP Address

It’s also possible that there are system errors related to your Windows Firewall settings or your IP address. In some cases users need to edit their computer’s registries in order to resolve the error. Before we get to that, you should try the System Restore fix and, if it doesn’t work, try troubleshooting your IP address, you might need to contact your Internet Provider for help and details.

Update your Operating System

It might also be helpful to note that Microsoft is aware of this issue and includes a fix in the release notes for Service Packs 1 and 2 for XP. If you are running Vista, this might not apply to you, but it might not hurt to get all of the latest updates. Since you can’t connect to the Internet, you’ll need to use another computer and burn the updates to CD for installation on your laptop.

I hope this works, good luck!

I’m having infuriating “access denied” problems for non-public folders on my two notebooks from my desktop. I’ve configured for “everybody full access” on all three PCs, and don’t have ANY problems accessing data on my desktop from either of the two notebooks. One notebook is running Vista Business, the other two computers use XP SP3. Wireless router directly linked to desktop PC. Any clues?

It sounds as if the desktop PC is properly shared on the network while the two laptops are not though it could also be a firewall issue. Let me get this straight: the laptops can view data stored on the desktop, but the desktop cannot view data stored on the laptops, correct?. Also, you say the folders are “non-public” so we’ll need to consider that as well.

Double-Check Vista Network Configuration

First, let’s look at the setup of your Vista laptop. Go to the Start button, choose Network and then click on the Network and Sharing Center. Make sure that Network Discovery and File Sharing are both turned on. In addition, go into the Windows Firewall and click the Exceptions tab. Make sure that File and Printer Sharing is enabled.

Double-Check Your Firewall Settings

If you are using a third party firewall, it’s possible that the LAN connections are being restricted. For example, the laptop may be able to view the desktop if the desktop is not blocking it. However, the laptop’s firewall may be blocking the desktop from accessing the laptop. Check the documentation for the various firewalls installed on your computers.

Sharing Folders

Windows Vista comes with some preconfigured Public folders where you can drag and drop files that you wish to share across the network. Since the non-public folders are not sharing, but the public ones are, it sounds as if you can access the laptops okay which rules out a firewall blocking or router error. So, let’s focus on the folders that you want to share.

To share a folder, you right-click it and choose Share and enter a share name. You’ve likely already done so and you have also worked with the permissions. However, there are two sets of permissions to consider: the share permissions and the security permissions. Right-click the folder that you are having trouble accessing from the other computers and choose Properties. Click the Sharing tab followed by Advanced Sharing. Click Permissions. Make sure that Everyone is highlighted and that all checkmarks are checked (Full Control, Change, and Read). Click OK until you get back to the dialog box.

Now, click the Security tab and make sure that the permissions there are not restricting access. If so, edit these restrictions to allow full access for Everyone.

Same User Account Names

Many solutions I’ve seen addressing problems like this advise setting up duplicate user names on all machines and then setting the folder’s ownership to that name. Theoretically, if you’re signed in as the administrator, you shouldn’t need to do this, but if the other tips don’t work, it’s worth a try.

These are a few thoughts that might help with this trick access denied error.

I have a few more questions about installing a D Link DP 301P+ wireless printer router on my Dell computer and my HP960c printer. Where do I go to find the “port name”? When I type in 192.168.0.10, I end up getting a domain page for the number and not the screen I need.

I’m sorry you’re still having problems setting this up. Unfortunately, I don’t have a DLink, so I can’t access the web-based configuration site on my computer. I’ve done a little research and I think the issue is that in order to access the web configuration, you need to manually assign an IP address to a PC on the network that is in the same range as the print server.

DLink Instruction Manual

I’m not sure if you have the instruction manual that came with the DLink DP 301P+, but you can find it online through DLink. The manual has directions for setting up your configuration in Windows XP, but it does show the actual website pages so that you can see exactly what you should be looking for. The only changes that occur when you are using Vista are those where you have to change the IP address and the Add Printer wizard.

Change the IP Address Manually

Chances are, your system is configured to assign the IP address automatically every time you log on. To change your IP address manually in Vista, follow these steps:

1. Go to Start and then Control Panel.
2. Chose Network and Internet and then Network and Sharing Center.
3. Choose Mange Network Connections.
4. Choose the connection you want to change (if there is more than one).
5. Right click and choose Properties.
6. Choose the Networking tab.
7. Choose either Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
8. Choose Use the Following IP Address and enter the address in the IP address box.
9. The address has to be in the same range as the print server. The example they give in the manual is 192.168.0.52 and the Subnet Mask address is: 255.255.255.0
10. Click OK to apply.

Once you have changed the IP address, try typing the default 192.168.0.10 into your web browser and see if you can now access the web-based configuration.

Add a Printer in Vista

Once you have obtained the port name from the web-based configuration, you will need to go back to your computer and use the Printer Wizard. There is very little difference in this process between XP (that is on the instructions) and Vista. Just go to Start and then Control Panel. Choose Hardware and Sound and then Printers. Choose Add a Printer. This will launch the Printer Wizard and the instructions are pretty much the same as for XP.

If you need support from DLink, you can call them (from the US) at 877-453-5465. I hope this helps and moves you forward in setting up the print server.

Packet Sniffers

Ethereal is a network packet analyzer that allows the user to monitor the traffic that is coming over a network. These programs are also called “packet sniffers”, and Ethereal can be used with Linux, Unix and Windows. A packet carries information that allows Internet information to reach its destination on your network. While it is not a security system, it can be useful for detecting intrusion attempts on a network. It won’t tell you when your system has been breached, but it will let you see what is going on inside the system. It is also good for troubleshooting network problems and debugging protocol implementation. Ethereal won’t allow you to manipulate anything on the system - it is basically a window into your network.

Pros of Ethereal

Ethereal has a command line interface that often puts it ahead of the competition. It requires the use of GTK+ and libcap and must have these two programs installed in order to run. Once it is installed, all you have to do is type in Ethereal on the command line and the GUI will start. You can then select Capture and Start which starts the Capture Preferences window. Usually, defaults are set, so all you have to do is press Start and watch the capture as it happens.

Alternatives

While there is really no downside to using Ethereal, you may want to investigate Wireshark. This is the development fork of Ethereal, and anything new to the program will probably be contained in Wireshark rather than the older program. In 2006, the creator of Ethereal took a position with another company, but couldn’t bring the Ethereal name with him because of trademark issues.

If you are looking to view packets on the network in your company, then either Ethereal or Wireshark should do the job without any real negatives.