I realize this is not a network troubleshooting forum but I suspect one of you may have been through this issue and could potentially help. Here it is: I got a new Linksys WRT54G router to replace my Linksys wired router to allow me to connect my 9600 to my network.

Thanks to a few people on this forum, I got my 9600 to connect and operate WMP on my computer in a reasonable amount of time. My problem though is that I can no longer see the other computer on my network (to transfer files for example). When I try to add the other computer as a "Network Place", I get a frustrating network is not accessible "You might not have permission to use this network resource. ..." error message.

Maybe it is only a matter of settings on the router? I can see the other computer (and my 9600) in the "DHCP Active IP Table" of the router but cannot get to it. The two computers have access to the Internet and to my network printer. Could it be something simple that I am overlooking? Thanks.

I'm not sure if I'm clear on how many computers you have attached, but is the one you are trying to reach set via DHCP or Static IP? If it's static, make sure the "gateway" address is set to your router or perhaps just set it to DHCP?

I have two computers, one TSU-9600 and one network printer, all on DHCP. It was working fine before I switched routers and suspect there is some kind of setting that's different between the two routers but I just don't know what it is. I was hoping someone had been through the same issue (and found the solution).

Try the following:

If running Windows XP or Vista activate the cmd command
or Rather
Start -> Run> cmd

This will open the command prompt. Check the Ip address of each of your pc's and from one pc type the following :
ping (and the address of your other PC) so if your other pc was 192.168.1.2
ping 192.168.1.2

This will then give you a result of packet transfer and you will see if you have communication between your two PC's via ethernet.

Then you can try the following:

Start -> Run -> \\(and the address of your other PC) so for example \\192.168.1.2

Then your other PC shared contents should appear. The best thing though is to go Static but this might solve your problem temporary.
Demetris

Hi thoupis, I have already tried to ping the other computer and it did not work (at all). It seems the router is not allowing traffic between the two computers (that's why I am suspecting some kind of router setting to be the culprit). For example, I have a choice of having the router work in "gateway" mode or "router" mode. I did not have that choice with my previous router and the new one is set to "gateway" mode. Could that matter?

If the new router is set to "gateway" mode, then it better be connected to the cable modem as "gateway" means that it's acting as the internet gateway. If you set it to "router" mode, then you are only using the wireless router portion of the unit. However, you should be looking for other settings such as "repeater" or "bridge". In these modes, you can extend wireless range.

If you already have a cable modem connected into a wired router, then you need to replace the W54RTG(S) with a WAP54G as it supports both "repeater" or "bridge" mode. For more information, download the WAP54G PDF from Linksys.

Lyndel

Thanks for the follow-up Lyndel. My WRT54G (v.8) is connected directly to the cable modem and replaced a BEFSR41 (v.4) wired router (which is now in its cardboard box in the basement). As such, I now have a pretty standard setup with a single router with three wired devices + the 9600 in WiFi.

Both computers can access Internet as well as the network printer and my 9600 can access the computer that has the PadOne Media Control software. I thought all was well until I tried to transfer files between the two computers. That no longer works and I can't see one computer from the other (nor can I ping the other computer even though it is listed in the DHCP list).

Maybe it is a security setting preventing the communications between the two wired computers? I am tempted to re-connect my BEFSR41 just to see if it would work again but was hoping for a more elegant solution (or troubleshooting technique). BTW, both computers have the same network name but it is not the same as the Wireless network name (SSID). Could that be it?

The SSID has nothing to do with the workgroup name. (besides that you are trying to copy between two wired computers, so anything with wireless can be put aside)

Which os are both computers running?
Is the guest account enabled?
Did you run the file and folder sharing wizard?
Is there any firewall (or virusscanner with firewall) active other then windows firewall?

If needed, I'm willing to remote assist you.

For anyone looking for a router, I would not recommend the WRT54G, the new versions (>v4) use VxWorks, instead buy a WRT54GL which actually is a WRT54G v3.1.

I also wouldn't buy a WAP54G, a WRT54GL is slighty cheaper and with a custom firmware ([Link: thibor.co.uk]) it can do anything a WAP54G can do and more.

Thanks for helping sWORDs:


Understood. I thought so too but was getting a bit desperate.


Windows XP on both.


Nope. No guest account on either of them. Keep in mind I did not have guest accounts previously either and it was working fine.


Yes. A few times.


Yes. Windows firewall and McAfee virusscan/firewall (which I had previously as well).


Much appreciated. I would hope it does not have to get to that though... Could it just be my router since it was working fine with the older BEFSR41?

No problem.

Did your ip range change from the BEFSR41 to the WRT54G? If so it could be that the new ip's aren't allowed by the McAfee firewall. Could you disable both firewalls for a minute and test?

Probably not, the internal wired lan acts as a switch, so nothing should get routed there. The only thing different is the dns, but that shouldn't make a difference.

Could you do a " ipconfig /all" in cmd box on one of those machines and post it?

Are you sure that both computers are still in the same workgroup?

Thanks again sWORDs,


I checked it out; the appropriate range is allowed on both computers but I cannot ping from one to the other. Interestingly though, the McAfee control centre can see the other computer and allow me to manage the McAfee software on it remotely.


Yep. They are in the same workgroup. I actually thought about checking that out. Mind you, it was working before and I never changed it; so it was unlikely to be the problem.

Here's the ipconfig /all:

C:\>ipconfig /all

(...)

The reason I wanted you to check the workgroup is because you ran the wizard several times, maybe you left the default workgroup name (MSHOME) on one of the computers. Please perform the following steps exactly and please tell where it went wrong:

1) First enable the guest account, then disable both firewalls and connect to the other computer by it's IP (//192.168.1.101). (I'm certain this works after disabling the firewalls, make sure the McAfee firewall is really disabled, remove it from the pc if not sure)

2) The DNS servers are all external, so the local range won't work with DNS. In my Linksys (Linux based) the option is called "Use Dnsmasq for DNS". After this make sure both computers refresh their lease by an "ipconfig /renew".

3) After this connect to the other computer by it's hostname (//Dell-D87ZF961). (I'm certain this works after disabling the firewalls and changing DNS)

4) After this enable the Windows Firewall on both computers and run the wizard one more time and connect to the other computer by it's hostname (//Dell-D87ZF961). (I'm certain this works.)

5) Then enable (or reinstall) the McAfee Firewall and connect to the other computer by it's hostname (//Dell-D87ZF961). (I think this will be the second problem, if this doesn't work please check the McAfee helpfile on file and printer sharing.)

6) Then disable the guest account on both computers and connect to the other computer by it's hostname (//Dell-D87ZF961).

Thanks for the follow-up sWORDs. I had guests over for a couple of days and did not get the chance to run your "diagnostic". BTW, I did leave the default workgroup name of both computers... (shame on me) I'll try your diagnostic and will get back to you.

Hello sWORDs,


Just to give it a try, I skipped the "enable the guest account" step, disabled the McAfee firewalls on both computers and was able to see one computer from the other one (only had to use "View workgroup computers"). I was also able to copy files from one to the other. So, that was it; the stupid McAfee firewall!!

Now, to be able to run the McAfee firewalls -and- maintain access from one computer to the other, I only had to turn on the "Windows File Sharing Service (NETBIOS) Ports 137-139". I guess there is nothing like good advice to get something fixed.

Thanks. Much appreciated.

Very naughty. ;)

Great!

You're very welcome!