Diagnosing File and Printer Sharing Problems


If the tests in the previous section don't point to a problem, that is, if basic network connectivity is fine but you're still having problems with file or printer sharing, the next step depends on whether you have a workgroup or domain-type network.

If you're on a domain network, it's time to call your network administrator for assistance. They've had more training and experience in network troubleshooting than I can impart in the space allowed here.

If you're on a home or small office workgroup network, there are a few things you might try. Here are some tips:

  • Did you run the Network Setup Wizard on each of your computers? To ensure that you don't inadvertently expose your network to the Internet before it's correctly configured, file and printer sharing is disabled until you've run the Network Setup Wizard at least once. You can change your configuration however you like after it's run, but Microsoft wants the first shot at giving you a secure network.

  • If you use Internet Connection Sharing, restart the computer that's sharing your Internet connection and wait a minute or two after it's booted up. Then, restart your other computers. This may help. The ICS computer needs to be up and running before any other computers on your LAN start up.

  • If you don't see other computers in the View Workgroup Computers window, wait 10 to 20 minutes (really) and then select View, Refresh. Sometimes it takes up to 20 minutes for the list of online computers to be updated.

  • If you're used to seeing shared folders and printers appear in My Network Places and Printers and Faxes automatically but they're missing now, again, wait a few minutes, and then select View, Refresh. You might also want to make sure that the "network crawler" is enabled. Select Tools, Folder Options, then select the View tab. Be sure that Automatically Search for Network Folders and Printers is checked. If it wasn't, check it, log off, and back on. Wait a few minutes, and then view My Network Places again.

  • Check the Protocol and Firewall settings as described earlier in the chapter under "Network Protocols and Bindings" and "Windows Firewall."



Special Edition Using Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Special Edition Using Microsoft Windows XP Professional (3rd Edition)
ISBN: 0789732807
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 450

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