Richard wonders if anyone has suggestions

Below is the string between Richard Harper and myself over the last few
days.
If anyone can offer suggestions other than a clean reinstall of the OS, I
would be be ever so grateful.
PJ


I hate to say it but you've run me clean out of ideas. Hopefully someone
else has a thought, otherwise ...

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] rgharper@email.com
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Peter" <moogk@notsympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:%23HfUZ2WMEHA.3420@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> Thanks again Richard.
>
> I completely removed the firewalls - it did not help.
> I tried a different router and replaced the NIC's - it did not help.
> It does seem bizzare. For example, the "desktop" can access the "laptop"
> but if I run Net View on the "desktop" only the "desktop" is listed. The
> "laptop" cannot access the "desktop" but if I run Net View on the "laptop"
> both computers are listed.
> Although the "desktop" can access the "laptop", it can't ping it by name
> (--- could not find host).
>
> Perhaps the operating system has an unresolvable problem. It might be
> time
> to bite the bullet and make a clean install of the "desktop".
>
> PJ
>
>
> "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
> news:er8AcHLMEHA.2456@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> Thank you - though the details make the problem more puzzling instead of
>> less.
>>
>> You say you have no firewalls "active" on either PC - do you have
>> anything
>> other than the Windows XP firewall on either PC? If so you may need to
>> fully uninstall the firewall for a true test.
>>
>> The only other thing I can think of would be to check router firewall
>> settings and make sure you haven't accidentally blocked access from "B"
>> to
>> "A" in its settings.
>>
>> The fact that "A" can see and access "B" is an almost 100% certain sign
> that
>> you have your network fully functional and correctly configured. The
> usual
>> cause for not being able to access the other direction is a firewall
>> problem.
>>
>> --
>> Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] rgharper@email.com
>> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
>> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>
>> "Peter" <moogk@notsympatico.ca> wrote in message
>> news:e7IO7$DMEHA.3712@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> > Thanks Richard.
>> >
>> > The computers get their IP addresses automatically through a router.
>> > The addresses are assigned by the router and are in the same range.
>> > The network worked well for a long time. I'm not aware of having made
> any
>> > changes prior to the problem starting.
>> > Computer A has full access to computers B but B cannot even ping A.
>> > There are no firewalls active.
>> > I ran nbtstat and netstat with most switches but am not savy enough to
> get
>> > a
>> > clear message from the results.
>> > I don't want to attach the whole set of results. Which, if any, would
>> > help
>> > with the diagnosis?
>> > PJ
>> >
>> > "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
>> > news:e9z2snDMEHA.268@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
>> >> Need waaayy more details to try to diagnose this. For example:
>> >>
>> >> - How are these computers getting their IP addresses?
>> >> - Are the two addresses in the same range?
>> >> - Is this a new problem or did it just start? Did the network work at
>> > some
>> >> point?
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] rgharper@email.com
>> >> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>> >> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
>> >> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Peter" <notmoogk@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
>> >> news:uAzljJDMEHA.2500@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> >> > When I run ipconfig /all, the entry for "connection-specific DNS
>> >> > suffix"
>> >> is
>> >> > blank on one of two networked XP machines. It happens that this
>> >> particular
>> >> > machine can no longer be accessed (or even pinged) by the other.
>> >> > Is the blank suffix problem just a reporting error or does it
> indicate
>> > an
>> >> > operational problem? (I know there is a hopfix available, for which
>> >> > Microsoft may or may not decide to charge but I don't want to spend
> the
>> >> day
>> >> > on the phone if it is not really a useful exercise).
>> >> > PJ

Temporarily uninstalling 3rd party firewalls and disabling the XP one is a
good idea.

Virus scanners can sometimes cause problems like this.

Don't use My Network Places as a definitive test, the underlying algorithms
have some latency in them.

Ping first, then navigate explorer directly to the other machine by entering
\\othercomputername as the path.

--

Ken Wickes [MSFT]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.


"Peter" <notmoogk@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:OECZYWeMEHA.2500@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Below is the string between Richard Harper and myself over the last few
> days.
> If anyone can offer suggestions other than a clean reinstall of the OS, I
> would be be ever so grateful.
> PJ
>
>
> I hate to say it but you've run me clean out of ideas. Hopefully someone
> else has a thought, otherwise ...
>
> --
> Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] rgharper@email.com
> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Peter" <moogk@notsympatico.ca> wrote in message
> news:%23HfUZ2WMEHA.3420@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> > Thanks again Richard.
> >
> > I completely removed the firewalls - it did not help.
> > I tried a different router and replaced the NIC's - it did not help.
> > It does seem bizzare. For example, the "desktop" can access the
"laptop"
> > but if I run Net View on the "desktop" only the "desktop" is listed.
The
> > "laptop" cannot access the "desktop" but if I run Net View on the
"laptop"
> > both computers are listed.
> > Although the "desktop" can access the "laptop", it can't ping it by name
> > (--- could not find host).
> >
> > Perhaps the operating system has an unresolvable problem. It might be
> > time
> > to bite the bullet and make a clean install of the "desktop".
> >
> > PJ
> >
> >
> > "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
> > news:er8AcHLMEHA.2456@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> >> Thank you - though the details make the problem more puzzling instead
of
> >> less.
> >>
> >> You say you have no firewalls "active" on either PC - do you have
> >> anything
> >> other than the Windows XP firewall on either PC? If so you may need to
> >> fully uninstall the firewall for a true test.
> >>
> >> The only other thing I can think of would be to check router firewall
> >> settings and make sure you haven't accidentally blocked access from "B"
> >> to
> >> "A" in its settings.
> >>
> >> The fact that "A" can see and access "B" is an almost 100% certain sign
> > that
> >> you have your network fully functional and correctly configured. The
> > usual
> >> cause for not being able to access the other direction is a firewall
> >> problem.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] rgharper@email.com
> >> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> >> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
> >> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >>
> >>
> >> "Peter" <moogk@notsympatico.ca> wrote in message
> >> news:e7IO7$DMEHA.3712@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> >> > Thanks Richard.
> >> >
> >> > The computers get their IP addresses automatically through a router.
> >> > The addresses are assigned by the router and are in the same range.
> >> > The network worked well for a long time. I'm not aware of having
made
> > any
> >> > changes prior to the problem starting.
> >> > Computer A has full access to computers B but B cannot even ping A.
> >> > There are no firewalls active.
> >> > I ran nbtstat and netstat with most switches but am not savy enough
to
> > get
> >> > a
> >> > clear message from the results.
> >> > I don't want to attach the whole set of results. Which, if any,
would
> >> > help
> >> > with the diagnosis?
> >> > PJ
> >> >
> >> > "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
> >> > news:e9z2snDMEHA.268@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> >> >> Need waaayy more details to try to diagnose this. For example:
> >> >>
> >> >> - How are these computers getting their IP addresses?
> >> >> - Are the two addresses in the same range?
> >> >> - Is this a new problem or did it just start? Did the network work
at
> >> > some
> >> >> point?
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] rgharper@email.com
> >> >> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> >> >> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
> >> >> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> "Peter" <notmoogk@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> >> >> news:uAzljJDMEHA.2500@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> >> >> > When I run ipconfig /all, the entry for "connection-specific DNS
> >> >> > suffix"
> >> >> is
> >> >> > blank on one of two networked XP machines. It happens that this
> >> >> particular
> >> >> > machine can no longer be accessed (or even pinged) by the other.
> >> >> > Is the blank suffix problem just a reporting error or does it
> > indicate
> >> > an
> >> >> > operational problem? (I know there is a hopfix available, for
which
> >> >> > Microsoft may or may not decide to charge but I don't want to
spend
> > the
> >> >> day
> >> >> > on the phone if it is not really a useful exercise).
> >> >> > PJ
>
>

Thanks Ken.

I removed all firewalls and disabled the virus scanner.
Can't ping the one computer even by IP address.

PJ

"Ken Wickes [MSFT]" <kenwic@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:%23kyzRbiMEHA.3052@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Temporarily uninstalling 3rd party firewalls and disabling the XP one is a
> good idea.
>
> Virus scanners can sometimes cause problems like this.
>
> Don't use My Network Places as a definitive test, the underlying
algorithms
> have some latency in them.
>
> Ping first, then navigate explorer directly to the other machine by
entering
> \\othercomputername as the path.
>
> --
>
> Ken Wickes [MSFT]
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.
>
>
> "Peter" <notmoogk@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> news:OECZYWeMEHA.2500@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > Below is the string between Richard Harper and myself over the last few
> > days.
> > If anyone can offer suggestions other than a clean reinstall of the OS,
I
> > would be be ever so grateful.
> > PJ
> >
> >
> > I hate to say it but you've run me clean out of ideas. Hopefully
someone
> > else has a thought, otherwise ...
> >
> > --
> > Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] rgharper@email.com
> > * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> > * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
> > * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >
> >
> > "Peter" <moogk@notsympatico.ca> wrote in message
> > news:%23HfUZ2WMEHA.3420@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> > > Thanks again Richard.
> > >
> > > I completely removed the firewalls - it did not help.
> > > I tried a different router and replaced the NIC's - it did not help.
> > > It does seem bizzare. For example, the "desktop" can access the
> "laptop"
> > > but if I run Net View on the "desktop" only the "desktop" is listed.
> The
> > > "laptop" cannot access the "desktop" but if I run Net View on the
> "laptop"
> > > both computers are listed.
> > > Although the "desktop" can access the "laptop", it can't ping it by
name
> > > (--- could not find host).
> > >
> > > Perhaps the operating system has an unresolvable problem. It might be
> > > time
> > > to bite the bullet and make a clean install of the "desktop".
> > >
> > > PJ
> > >
> > >
> > > "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
> > > news:er8AcHLMEHA.2456@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > >> Thank you - though the details make the problem more puzzling instead
> of
> > >> less.
> > >>
> > >> You say you have no firewalls "active" on either PC - do you have
> > >> anything
> > >> other than the Windows XP firewall on either PC? If so you may need
to
> > >> fully uninstall the firewall for a true test.
> > >>
> > >> The only other thing I can think of would be to check router firewall
> > >> settings and make sure you haven't accidentally blocked access from
"B"
> > >> to
> > >> "A" in its settings.
> > >>
> > >> The fact that "A" can see and access "B" is an almost 100% certain
sign
> > > that
> > >> you have your network fully functional and correctly configured. The
> > > usual
> > >> cause for not being able to access the other direction is a firewall
> > >> problem.
> > >>
> > >> --
> > >> Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] rgharper@email.com
> > >> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> > >> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
> > >> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> "Peter" <moogk@notsympatico.ca> wrote in message
> > >> news:e7IO7$DMEHA.3712@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > >> > Thanks Richard.
> > >> >
> > >> > The computers get their IP addresses automatically through a
router.
> > >> > The addresses are assigned by the router and are in the same range.
> > >> > The network worked well for a long time. I'm not aware of having
> made
> > > any
> > >> > changes prior to the problem starting.
> > >> > Computer A has full access to computers B but B cannot even ping A.
> > >> > There are no firewalls active.
> > >> > I ran nbtstat and netstat with most switches but am not savy enough
> to
> > > get
> > >> > a
> > >> > clear message from the results.
> > >> > I don't want to attach the whole set of results. Which, if any,
> would
> > >> > help
> > >> > with the diagnosis?
> > >> > PJ
> > >> >
> > >> > "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
> > >> > news:e9z2snDMEHA.268@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> > >> >> Need waaayy more details to try to diagnose this. For example:
> > >> >>
> > >> >> - How are these computers getting their IP addresses?
> > >> >> - Are the two addresses in the same range?
> > >> >> - Is this a new problem or did it just start? Did the network
work
> at
> > >> > some
> > >> >> point?
> > >> >>
> > >> >> --
> > >> >> Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] rgharper@email.com
> > >> >> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> > >> >> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
> > >> >> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> > >> >>
> > >> >>
> > >> >> "Peter" <notmoogk@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> > >> >> news:uAzljJDMEHA.2500@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > >> >> > When I run ipconfig /all, the entry for "connection-specific DNS
> > >> >> > suffix"
> > >> >> is
> > >> >> > blank on one of two networked XP machines. It happens that this
> > >> >> particular
> > >> >> > machine can no longer be accessed (or even pinged) by the other.
> > >> >> > Is the blank suffix problem just a reporting error or does it
> > > indicate
> > >> > an
> > >> >> > operational problem? (I know there is a hopfix available, for
> which
> > >> >> > Microsoft may or may not decide to charge but I don't want to
> spend
> > > the
> > >> >> day
> > >> >> > on the phone if it is not really a useful exercise).
> > >> >> > PJ
> >
> >
>
>

You might need to uninstall the virus scanner.

What are the ipaddress and subnet masks of both machines?

--

Ken Wickes [MSFT]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.


"Peter" <moogk@notsympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:%23C9EMUjMEHA.128@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Thanks Ken.
>
> I removed all firewalls and disabled the virus scanner.
> Can't ping the one computer even by IP address.
>
> PJ
>
> "Ken Wickes [MSFT]" <kenwic@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:%23kyzRbiMEHA.3052@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > Temporarily uninstalling 3rd party firewalls and disabling the XP one is
a
> > good idea.
> >
> > Virus scanners can sometimes cause problems like this.
> >
> > Don't use My Network Places as a definitive test, the underlying
> algorithms
> > have some latency in them.
> >
> > Ping first, then navigate explorer directly to the other machine by
> entering
> > \\othercomputername as the path.
> >
> > --
> >
> > Ken Wickes [MSFT]
> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights.
> >
> >
> > "Peter" <notmoogk@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> > news:OECZYWeMEHA.2500@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > > Below is the string between Richard Harper and myself over the last
few
> > > days.
> > > If anyone can offer suggestions other than a clean reinstall of the
OS,
> I
> > > would be be ever so grateful.
> > > PJ
> > >
> > >
> > > I hate to say it but you've run me clean out of ideas. Hopefully
> someone
> > > else has a thought, otherwise ...
> > >
> > > --
> > > Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] rgharper@email.com
> > > * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> > > * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
> > > * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> > >
> > >
> > > "Peter" <moogk@notsympatico.ca> wrote in message
> > > news:%23HfUZ2WMEHA.3420@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> > > > Thanks again Richard.
> > > >
> > > > I completely removed the firewalls - it did not help.
> > > > I tried a different router and replaced the NIC's - it did not help.
> > > > It does seem bizzare. For example, the "desktop" can access the
> > "laptop"
> > > > but if I run Net View on the "desktop" only the "desktop" is listed.
> > The
> > > > "laptop" cannot access the "desktop" but if I run Net View on the
> > "laptop"
> > > > both computers are listed.
> > > > Although the "desktop" can access the "laptop", it can't ping it by
> name
> > > > (--- could not find host).
> > > >
> > > > Perhaps the operating system has an unresolvable problem. It might
be
> > > > time
> > > > to bite the bullet and make a clean install of the "desktop".
> > > >
> > > > PJ
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
> > > > news:er8AcHLMEHA.2456@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > > >> Thank you - though the details make the problem more puzzling
instead
> > of
> > > >> less.
> > > >>
> > > >> You say you have no firewalls "active" on either PC - do you have
> > > >> anything
> > > >> other than the Windows XP firewall on either PC? If so you may
need
> to
> > > >> fully uninstall the firewall for a true test.
> > > >>
> > > >> The only other thing I can think of would be to check router
firewall
> > > >> settings and make sure you haven't accidentally blocked access from
> "B"
> > > >> to
> > > >> "A" in its settings.
> > > >>
> > > >> The fact that "A" can see and access "B" is an almost 100% certain
> sign
> > > > that
> > > >> you have your network fully functional and correctly configured.
The
> > > > usual
> > > >> cause for not being able to access the other direction is a
firewall
> > > >> problem.
> > > >>
> > > >> --
> > > >> Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] rgharper@email.com
> > > >> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> > > >> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
> > > >> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> "Peter" <moogk@notsympatico.ca> wrote in message
> > > >> news:e7IO7$DMEHA.3712@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > > >> > Thanks Richard.
> > > >> >
> > > >> > The computers get their IP addresses automatically through a
> router.
> > > >> > The addresses are assigned by the router and are in the same
range.
> > > >> > The network worked well for a long time. I'm not aware of having
> > made
> > > > any
> > > >> > changes prior to the problem starting.
> > > >> > Computer A has full access to computers B but B cannot even ping
A.
> > > >> > There are no firewalls active.
> > > >> > I ran nbtstat and netstat with most switches but am not savy
enough
> > to
> > > > get
> > > >> > a
> > > >> > clear message from the results.
> > > >> > I don't want to attach the whole set of results. Which, if any,
> > would
> > > >> > help
> > > >> > with the diagnosis?
> > > >> > PJ
> > > >> >
> > > >> > "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
> > > >> > news:e9z2snDMEHA.268@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> > > >> >> Need waaayy more details to try to diagnose this. For example:
> > > >> >>
> > > >> >> - How are these computers getting their IP addresses?
> > > >> >> - Are the two addresses in the same range?
> > > >> >> - Is this a new problem or did it just start? Did the network
> work
> > at
> > > >> > some
> > > >> >> point?
> > > >> >>
> > > >> >> --
> > > >> >> Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] rgharper@email.com
> > > >> >> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> > > >> >> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied
to.
> > > >> >> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> > > >> >>
> > > >> >>
> > > >> >> "Peter" <notmoogk@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> > > >> >> news:uAzljJDMEHA.2500@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > > >> >> > When I run ipconfig /all, the entry for "connection-specific
DNS
> > > >> >> > suffix"
> > > >> >> is
> > > >> >> > blank on one of two networked XP machines. It happens that
this
> > > >> >> particular
> > > >> >> > machine can no longer be accessed (or even pinged) by the
other.
> > > >> >> > Is the blank suffix problem just a reporting error or does it
> > > > indicate
> > > >> > an
> > > >> >> > operational problem? (I know there is a hopfix available, for
> > which
> > > >> >> > Microsoft may or may not decide to charge but I don't want to
> > spend
> > > > the
> > > >> >> day
> > > >> >> > on the phone if it is not really a useful exercise).
> > > >> >> > PJ
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>