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General discussion

unable to connect, network path not found!

Jan 3, 2005 6:07AM PST

Hi!
I'm trying to connect a laptop(win2k) (with a wireless connection to the router) to a home network. but I get the error message "network path was not found when I try to connect either by running the command "\\computername" from start/run or when trying to connect by adding network place. When in "add network place" I can see the main computer I want to connect to in the workgroup but am unable to connect to it. I am also able to see my laptop from the main computer but same problem here, unable to connect. The main computer(win XP) has a cable to the router and is able to connect to 2 other wired computers running win xp home edition. and these computers are able to connect to the main computer.
All computers are able to access the internet. The laptop can ping the main computer and the main computer can ping the laptop after I turned off zone alarm... have tried adding network place with zone alarm turned off but still doesnt work, firewall is also disabled in win xp sp2 (main computer)... very frustrated now and am hoping someone can help me resolve this issue!

thanks in advance!

Discussion is locked

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Zone Alarm has no true disable.
Jan 3, 2005 6:12AM PST

I have to either add it to it's trusted list or uninstall it to get it to work.

Bob

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Re: unable to connect, network path not found!
Jan 26, 2005 4:00PM PST
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;318030 You cannot access shared files and folders or browse computers in the workgroup

This information solved a very similar or identical problem.


On Windows XP-based computers that are configured as members of a workgroup in a peer-to-peer network environment, you may experience one or more of the following behaviors: ? You cannot access shared folders or files. ? You cannot locate other computers in the workgroup. ? You receive the following error message when you double-click the workgroup in My Network Places: Workgroup Name is not accessible. You may not have permission to use this network resource. CAUSE This behavior may occur if both the following conditions are true: ? NetBIOS over TCP/IP is not turned on (enabled) on one or more computers in the workgroup. ? The Computer Browser service is not started or is turned off on one or more computers in the workgroup. RESOLUTION To resolve this issue, make sure that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is turned on and the Computer Browser service is running on each computer in the workgroup. To do this, follow these steps. Step 1: Turn on NetBIOS over TCP/IP 1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Network and Internet Connections. 2. Click Network Connections. 3. Right-click Local Area Connection, and then click Properties. 4. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click Properties. 5. Click the General tab, and then click Advanced. 6. Click the WINS tab. 7. Under NetBIOS setting, click Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP, and then click OK two times. 8. Click Close to close the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box. 9. Close the Network Connections window. Step 2: Start the Computer Browser service 1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage. 2. Double-click Services and Applications. 3. Double-click Services. 4. In the right pane, right-click Computer Browser, and then click Start. 5. Close the Computer Management window.
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still not working
Mar 26, 2005 7:59AM PST

I am having what appears to be the same problem as the guy you were replying to --I did each step you recommended on both my desktop and my laptop the only thing that seemed a little different was when it got to "Start the Computer Browser service I had a choice of "stop" or "restart" not "start" I clicked on "restart" both times and it seemed to work.

I can get to the shared files on the laptop from the desktop but what I want to do is get to the desktop files from the laptop and also to be able to use my printer from the laptop. --still get "the network path was not found." Thanks in advance for any help.

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Figured out my network pathnot foundproblem
Mar 27, 2005 1:55AM PST

The final missing link was setting my McAfee Firewall "trusted IP addresses" on my desktop so that my "LAN" was trusted. --go to utilities, clicked on "TRUSTED and banned IPS" then clicked the LAN check box which was already sitting there. --Now it all works GREAT!!!