Networking problem

17 Dec 2006 12:05 PM

IronMiketheDJ

Recently I spent over 4 hours on the phone with Microsoft trying to figure
out why my wirless desktop unit is unable to be seen by my wired network. We
were unable to come to a soulution. Now a friend of a friend took a look at
it it by remote and told me that the problem wasn't the Norton programs
(which are grievous at best) but it had to do with the oprating system
itself. He went on to tell me that XP Home's ability is limited as compared
to XP Pro which is not limited by some sort of restriction. The network is
set up this way. There are 5 wired computers between 2 routers. One line has
a VOIP line on it for the telephone. The two routers are configured so that
one works regularly as a router and the other works as an access point.
(linksys routers)
Now the wireless desktop unit downstairs can see the network and is able to
get in and out of any of the wired computers but the wired units see the
wireless desktop and are unable to gain access to it . The way this is
working right now only serves half of the reason it was set up to be. What I
am wanting to know is if there is a way to work around this and get the
system to get past that limitation? The router is a Linksys wireless-G with
speed booster and the corresponding adaptor in the computer. ALL systems are
running XP Home with SP2 any assistance I can get without somebody telling
me to go buy $1200 of XP Pro would be appreciated.

17 Dec 2006 12:24 PM

Steve Winograd [MVP]

In article <A4A5CFC7-0468-4340-8243-AD3FCA0D4***@microsoft.com>,
IronMiketheDJ <IronMiketh***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
Show quoteHide quote

>Recently I spent over 4 hours on the phone with Microsoft trying to figure
>out why my wirless desktop unit is unable to be seen by my wired network. We
>were unable to come to a soulution. Now a friend of a friend took a look at
>it it by remote and told me that the problem wasn't the Norton programs
>(which are grievous at best) but it had to do with the oprating system
>itself. He went on to tell me that XP Home's ability is limited as compared
>to XP Pro which is not limited by some sort of restriction. The network is
>set up this way. There are 5 wired computers between 2 routers. One line has
>a VOIP line on it for the telephone. The two routers are configured so that
>one works regularly as a router and the other works as an access point.
>(linksys routers)
> Now the wireless desktop unit downstairs can see the network and is able to
>get in and out of any of the wired computers but the wired units see the
>wireless desktop and are unable to gain access to it . The way this is
>working right now only serves half of the reason it was set up to be. What I
>am wanting to know is if there is a way to work around this and get the
>system to get past that limitation? The router is a Linksys wireless-G with
>speed booster and the corresponding adaptor in the computer. ALL systems are
>running XP Home with SP2 any assistance I can get without somebody telling
>me to go buy $1200 of XP Pro would be appreciated.

Norton programs often cause problems in accessing computers over a
network. Norton's personal firewall has to be configured exactly
right. Recent versions of Norton's antivirus program have firewall
functions built in (Internet worm protection).

There's no difference in the way that XP Home and XP Pro access other
computers over a network. I don't think that changing any or all of
the computers to XP Pro would help. Can your friend describe a
specific limitation in XP Home that applies to your network?

What do you mean when you say that "the wired units see the wireless
desktop and are unable to gain access to it "? How are they seeing
it? How are they trying to gain access to it? What exactly happens
when they try to gain access to it? If there's an error message, what
does it say? The answers to those questions should indicate a
specific solution to the problem.

What things did Microsoft have you try?

--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

17 Dec 2006 9:14 PM

Ian

Two possible issues here:

The router might be set to segregate the networks.

The wireless cards might not have File and Printer Sharing bound to them.
(ticked) It's standard practice NOT to enable sharing over wireless, since
if WPA is not in use, then this represents very poor security.