Network question: can't ping myself but can access Internet

networking, windowsXP, LAN

[sunnywater]

I tried to connect my two laptops. One laptop is installed with windows98, and the other windowsxp professional. I use twisted cable to connect them to a router, and connect the router to the broadband modem. Now both laptops can access the Internet, but they can not share files.

In the first try, I gave them static IP addresses: 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.2, but they could not access the Internet.

In the second try, I let them obtain IP automatically. They both could access the Internet. I gave them different computer names, the same Workgroup name, set file and printer sharing, and allocated a user name and password in WindowsXP for Windows98. They still could not see each other. I found WindowsXP could ping Windows98, and windows98 could ping windows98 itself, but WindowsXP could not ping itself, windows98 could not ping WindowsXP eithr. I doubt the newwork card in WindowsXP is not correctly installed, but not sure because it can access the Internet!

Could you give me any idea about how this could happen? how can i fix it? Many thanks in advance.

sunny

[IanTurner]

Not sure that I can give you an answer but if you do an ipconfig from a command prompt you will be able to get the IP addresses that have been assigned.

[DoppyNL]

just a pointer to what the problem might be:

a network card can be configured NOT to respond to pings.
Perhaps the winXP computer is configured not to respond to those pings.

Where to change that setting; I've got no idea....

[haagden]

I seem to have a similar problem. I have set up 2 machines (one laptop, one desktop) with Wireless connection between them and with ICS on the desktop. Both can access the Internet over the dial-up connection and the packets both ways are clearly shown on the Wireless Configuration Manager. However although the desktop can access shared folders on the Laptop, the Laptop cannot access the Desktop. Network Neighourhood on the Desktop shows both computers but Network Neighbourhood on the Laptop shows nothing. I can ping from desktop to laptop but not vice-versa. Addresses are 192.168.0.1 (Desktop)and 192.168.0.3 (Laptop). The latter can be released and renewed thus showing DHCP is working. Both networks have the same Identity. If I find the problem I'll let you know!

[duckhunter]

Try creating the same Username/Password on the XP box. That seems to work for me. I run 2K on my primary box and use my XP's extra drive as a backup device via a mapped drive. Since there isn't a Domain controller to grant/deny access XP denies access except for local accounts.

Not sure about the pings. Has to be some network related setting on the box or a personal firewall maybe?

[digitalv]

How are you trying to access each machine's shares? If your router isn't configured to broadcast, it could explain why you're able to access the Internet but not the other systems by NAME.

Instead of trying to connect to \\machinename\share try to connect to the other machine by IP address instead:

\\192.168.0.1\sharename

If that works, your problem is broadcast-related. You can reconfigure the router or just keep sharing by IP, makes no difference.