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quiet30plr

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not see workgroup

I recently intalled XP Pro over Home, not a clean install.  When I tried to network, I could not see the other computers, nor ping to them.  They see each other, including a win 98 that hold files that needs to be mapped to.  I made sure they were in the right workgroup and enabled netbios over TCP/IP.  I installed IPX and finnally got this computer to see itself in Network Places, but not the others.  I was told that Home version of XP still has files in the XP version that is keeping it from networking.  How do I get this computer to see the others, especially the win 98 machine?
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NetAdmin2436
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Avatar of b0lsc0tt
quiet30plr,

I agree with NetAdmin that the problems is probably not bad files from the upgrade install.  I have done that in the past and not had the problem you described.  Unless you have an application or part of your network that requires IPX/SPX then NetAdmin is correct about that too.  The extra protocol is unneeded and will take away from computer and network resources.

At a command prompt, run the command "ipconfig /all" (no quotes) and then let us know the results, especially the ip address, gateway and subnet mask.  Run the same command on a computer that works and then compare the results.  What are the results of the comparison?

b0lsc0tt
Avatar of MarkDozier
MarkDozier

You were told correctly. Xp Pro upgrade over Home does muck up things from time to time.
Personally I would backup the data and slick the whole thing and start with a virgin XP Prop install.
yes, the upgrade does screw up sometimes...

one way that I have done to deal with the same problem was to simply go to the Local Connection Properties window for the connection in question.
1) Control Panel
2) Network and Dial-up connections
3) Right click on the connection in question and choose properties

then removed/uninstalled all services, protocols, and clients for the window, you may need to disable the connection first to remove everything....

reboot, then go back and enable connection and re-install. the system will now ask for your XP pro cd and install the files correctly.
Just as a sidepoint check that your antivirus software or similar spyware software isn't stopping you from connecting. Close some of these down and use the Start>Run command and type in \\IP_ADDRESS_OF_PC.

While not always needed, make sure that all PC's are connected before turning them on, and if you're like me and you use hibernation, then it would be a good idea to Restart every once in a while.

Another good idea is to check that your IP addresses are closely aligned to each other. If one pc is 10.95.0.1 and the other is 255.75.128.99 then you will most likely have problems connecting. In Network properties, click on the TCP/IP protocol and click Properties just below it. Instead of finding IP addresses automatically, set them manually to similar values (NEVER identical keep in mind).

EG:
PC1:   101.95.0.1
PC2:   101.95.0.2
PC3:   101.95.0.3
etc

like ordinary numbers change the values of the digits closest to the right hand side.

If this has any negative effects on your Internet access (a rare case scenario) then just revert the setting to Automatic config.

Hope this helps
I have a feeling that these computers could be in different workgroup. Eg, you XP could be in HOME workgroup and other machines in WORKGROUP workgroup. Can you please check them?
Being in a different workgroup isn't good if you're permanently in that network, but you can still connect being under a different workgroup name