BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING FILE AND PRINTER SHARING ON XP SP2
PART 1
Troubleshooting Files and Printer Sharing can be frustrating with all the mix-and-match variables that must be just right across computers on a network. These posts initially focus on troubleshooting these variables on XP Home and XP Pro based systems.
Troubleshooting is organized into two parts:
Part 1, Verify computers on the network can “see” each other
•Don’t be concerned with access privilege errors when computer A tries to access computer B
•Only be concerned that computer A can simply see computer B on the Microsoft Windows Network
Part 2, Addresses file and printer access privileges across your computers
Follow the steps in BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING. It includes instructions on how to test each computer to confirm it can see your other computers. If needed, you can also use the instructions listed under Extended Troubleshooting.
These instructions assume your Control Panel is set for Classic View (all control panel applets displayed in a single list). Look in upper left of Control Panel to click/switch between Classic and Category View.
BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING
1. Verify computer and workgroup names
•Click My Computer -> Properties. Click Computer Name tab.
•Check (These are uppper/lower case sensitive)◦Computer Name: (Must be unique for each of your computers) ◦Workgroup: (Must be identical on each your computers) •To change Computer Name or Workgroup, click Change. You must restart before changes take affect.
2. Verify Local Area Network Connection properties
Your computer may have several ways to connect to a network. Verify the settings / properties assigned to your computer’s Local Area Network (LAN) Connection
•Control Panel -> Network Connections. You’re presented with a list of available network connections
•Check the Status shown for your LAN connection is Connected
•Right click your LAN Connection and select Properties. Review list of items “used by the connection”. Verify the following are listed and checked (see Extended Troubleshooting for instructions uninstall / reinstall an item)
◦Client for Microsoft Networks
◦File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
◦Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) (this should always be present and can not be uninstalled. If corrupted, see Extended Troubleshooting)
•Verify NetBIOS over TCP/IP enabled
◦Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) -> Properties
◦Click General tab -> Advanced
◦Click WINS tab. Under NetBIOS setting, click Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
◦Close the property dialog boxes
3. Verify Computer Browser Service is Running
Computer Browser service is a required component. Confirm it’s started on boot and is still running.
•Right click My Computer then Manage
•Double-click Services and Applications, double-click Services
•Scroll right pane to Computer Browser. Confirm Startup Type = Automatic (this starts Computer Browser on system boot). To set it
◦Right click Computer Browser, select Properties
◦Set Startup Type to Automatic, hit OK. Reboot and check Browser settings again
•Confirm Computer Browser’s Status = Started (ie it’s running). If it’s other then Started there’s a problem causing it to fail. Check Event Log (next step). Look closely at conditions I’ve listed under Event Source:Browser
4. Check for errors in the Windows Event Log
The Event Log service records significant events in the Event Log. (Event Log service Startup Type should = Automatic so it’s starts on every boot.) See step 3 above about setting service startup type)
•Right click My Computer -> Manage
•Expand System Tools -> Event Viewer -> System
•Click View -> Filter. Uncheck Information, then OK
•Review events of last couple days. In particular, events since last boot. For more info about event
◦Double click event for a description. Click on link within the description.
◦Use Microsoft Help and Support to search on event source and ID
•Review events. Some known events (and their problems) to look out for (listed by event source)
◦Browser - Check for these common causes on each computer
■Firewall is blocking ports needed by File and Printer Sharing
■File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks not installed on LAN connection
■NetBIOS over TCP/IP not enabled on LAN connection
◦MRxSMB – May indicate Browser error. In particular, Event ID: 8003 indicates “Master Browser” error (see Extended Troubleshooting)◦Service Control Manager – May indicate Browser error. Event ID: 7036 occurs if a service couldn’t start. Check event description to see which service. If Computer Browser, check causes listed above under Event Source:Browser.
◦Tcpip - TCP/IP protocol errors. Look at Event ID and description. If TCP/IP or Winsock might be corrupted you may you want to reset them. (see Extended Troubleshooting)
5. Check if firewall misconfigured / interfering with communication
Firewall changes may take time before you see it have any impact on the Microsoft Windows Network. You can:
•Reboot so changes are effective at startup, or•Be patient. Allow at least 5 (no more then 10) minutes for firewall changes to influence the Windows network.
A mis-configured firewall is often the problem. It can also result in error messages which seem to point elsewhere. The best way to rule out firewall issues is to turn off every firewall on every computer. IMPORTANT! Before turning off all firewalls, first disconnect from your ISP. When the firewalls are off, you want the outside world to stay outside. For each computer
•Verify only one firewall running (e.g. Windows Firewall sometimes manages to get re-enabled and runs in addition to your own firewall)
◦Control Panel -> Windows Firewall
◦On General tab, check Off, click OK
•Turn off any firewall you installed
6. Test each computer’s view of other computers on the network
To complete Part 1 Troubleshooting confirm each computer can see other computers on the Microsoft Windows Network. Must repeat test on every computer
•Disconnect from ISP. Make sure every computer firewall is off
•Right click Windows Start, select Explore
•Scroll Explorer to My Network Places. Expand My Network Places -> Entire Network -> Microsoft Windows Network (if you don’t see Entire Network, right click My Network Places, then Explore)•See workgroups listed under Microsoft Windows Network
◦If more then one workgroup: workgroups names on computers are not identical. Go fix.
◦If only one workgroup, expand it. Verify every computer is listed by the name you assigned it
If the test above succeeds on each computer, turn on firewalls, reboot all computers. Repeat the test (with firewalls now on). If a computer fails now, you have a firewall problem. Otherwise, you can continue to Files and Printer Sharing, Part 2
Another approach (if you’re still having failures) is to repeat the test but this time start with just two computers. Add a computer incrementally to help isolate the problem to specific machines.
•Power down all computers. Then only power up one computer
•When Windows desktop appears you can start one additional computer and test they are ok before starting / testing with another
PART 1
Troubleshooting Files and Printer Sharing can be frustrating with all the mix-and-match variables that must be just right across computers on a network. These posts initially focus on troubleshooting these variables on XP Home and XP Pro based systems.
Troubleshooting is organized into two parts:
Part 1, Verify computers on the network can “see” each other
•Don’t be concerned with access privilege errors when computer A tries to access computer B
•Only be concerned that computer A can simply see computer B on the Microsoft Windows Network
Part 2, Addresses file and printer access privileges across your computers
Follow the steps in BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING. It includes instructions on how to test each computer to confirm it can see your other computers. If needed, you can also use the instructions listed under Extended Troubleshooting.
These instructions assume your Control Panel is set for Classic View (all control panel applets displayed in a single list). Look in upper left of Control Panel to click/switch between Classic and Category View.
BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING
1. Verify computer and workgroup names
•Click My Computer -> Properties. Click Computer Name tab.
•Check (These are uppper/lower case sensitive)◦Computer Name: (Must be unique for each of your computers) ◦Workgroup: (Must be identical on each your computers) •To change Computer Name or Workgroup, click Change. You must restart before changes take affect.
2. Verify Local Area Network Connection properties
Your computer may have several ways to connect to a network. Verify the settings / properties assigned to your computer’s Local Area Network (LAN) Connection
•Control Panel -> Network Connections. You’re presented with a list of available network connections
•Check the Status shown for your LAN connection is Connected
•Right click your LAN Connection and select Properties. Review list of items “used by the connection”. Verify the following are listed and checked (see Extended Troubleshooting for instructions uninstall / reinstall an item)
◦Client for Microsoft Networks
◦File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
◦Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) (this should always be present and can not be uninstalled. If corrupted, see Extended Troubleshooting)
•Verify NetBIOS over TCP/IP enabled
◦Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) -> Properties
◦Click General tab -> Advanced
◦Click WINS tab. Under NetBIOS setting, click Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
◦Close the property dialog boxes
3. Verify Computer Browser Service is Running
Computer Browser service is a required component. Confirm it’s started on boot and is still running.
•Right click My Computer then Manage
•Double-click Services and Applications, double-click Services
•Scroll right pane to Computer Browser. Confirm Startup Type = Automatic (this starts Computer Browser on system boot). To set it
◦Right click Computer Browser, select Properties
◦Set Startup Type to Automatic, hit OK. Reboot and check Browser settings again
•Confirm Computer Browser’s Status = Started (ie it’s running). If it’s other then Started there’s a problem causing it to fail. Check Event Log (next step). Look closely at conditions I’ve listed under Event Source:Browser
4. Check for errors in the Windows Event Log
The Event Log service records significant events in the Event Log. (Event Log service Startup Type should = Automatic so it’s starts on every boot.) See step 3 above about setting service startup type)
•Right click My Computer -> Manage
•Expand System Tools -> Event Viewer -> System
•Click View -> Filter. Uncheck Information, then OK
•Review events of last couple days. In particular, events since last boot. For more info about event
◦Double click event for a description. Click on link within the description.
◦Use Microsoft Help and Support to search on event source and ID
•Review events. Some known events (and their problems) to look out for (listed by event source)
◦Browser - Check for these common causes on each computer
■Firewall is blocking ports needed by File and Printer Sharing
■File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks not installed on LAN connection
■NetBIOS over TCP/IP not enabled on LAN connection
◦MRxSMB – May indicate Browser error. In particular, Event ID: 8003 indicates “Master Browser” error (see Extended Troubleshooting)◦Service Control Manager – May indicate Browser error. Event ID: 7036 occurs if a service couldn’t start. Check event description to see which service. If Computer Browser, check causes listed above under Event Source:Browser.
◦Tcpip - TCP/IP protocol errors. Look at Event ID and description. If TCP/IP or Winsock might be corrupted you may you want to reset them. (see Extended Troubleshooting)
5. Check if firewall misconfigured / interfering with communication
Firewall changes may take time before you see it have any impact on the Microsoft Windows Network. You can:
•Reboot so changes are effective at startup, or•Be patient. Allow at least 5 (no more then 10) minutes for firewall changes to influence the Windows network.
A mis-configured firewall is often the problem. It can also result in error messages which seem to point elsewhere. The best way to rule out firewall issues is to turn off every firewall on every computer. IMPORTANT! Before turning off all firewalls, first disconnect from your ISP. When the firewalls are off, you want the outside world to stay outside. For each computer
•Verify only one firewall running (e.g. Windows Firewall sometimes manages to get re-enabled and runs in addition to your own firewall)
◦Control Panel -> Windows Firewall
◦On General tab, check Off, click OK
•Turn off any firewall you installed
6. Test each computer’s view of other computers on the network
To complete Part 1 Troubleshooting confirm each computer can see other computers on the Microsoft Windows Network. Must repeat test on every computer
•Disconnect from ISP. Make sure every computer firewall is off
•Right click Windows Start, select Explore
•Scroll Explorer to My Network Places. Expand My Network Places -> Entire Network -> Microsoft Windows Network (if you don’t see Entire Network, right click My Network Places, then Explore)•See workgroups listed under Microsoft Windows Network
◦If more then one workgroup: workgroups names on computers are not identical. Go fix.
◦If only one workgroup, expand it. Verify every computer is listed by the name you assigned it
If the test above succeeds on each computer, turn on firewalls, reboot all computers. Repeat the test (with firewalls now on). If a computer fails now, you have a firewall problem. Otherwise, you can continue to Files and Printer Sharing, Part 2
Another approach (if you’re still having failures) is to repeat the test but this time start with just two computers. Add a computer incrementally to help isolate the problem to specific machines.
•Power down all computers. Then only power up one computer
•When Windows desktop appears you can start one additional computer and test they are ok before starting / testing with another
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