Windows 7 - NetBEUI network-can't 'see' other Workgroup PCs, but Search finds

Asked By Kevi

06-Sep-07 01:46 PM

I'm just wondering if any of the recent MS security patches has affected my,
until lately, properly functioning NetBEUI home Workgroup network by making
NetBIOS over TCP/IP(--> Enabled) mandatory (or ?).

I have tested w & w/o my ZA Free 7.0.733.000 pers. s/w firewall (previous ZA
vers have never been an issue (as one would expect for NetBEUI), as I believe
they are only concerned with TCP/IP traffic).

Per PChuck's Network page, I have also examined:

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters\Hidden -->
'Hidden' key does not exist
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa-restrictanonymous -->0
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters-RestrictNullSessAccess --> 'RestrictNullSessAccess' value does not exist

My Computer Browser service is set to Automatic but is typically not Started
when examined initially.  FYI - the dependenices: Server & Workstation
services are Started and set to Automatic.  Even if I manually Start the
Computer Browser service, NetBEUI connectivity is not restored.

Network details:

I'm using NetBEUI for an XP SP2/Win98 home network with Client for Microsoft
Networks and File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks bound to NetBEUI
only.

I have QoS & TCP/IP installed with NetBIOS over TCP/IP-->Disabled (on
purpose).

My ADSL modem connects to a 10Mbps 4-port hub, then to a BEFW11S4 wireless-B
broadband router that has four 10/100 RJ-45 + WAN ports.  Port 1 connects to
a 'cascaded' SMC7008BR broadband router (seven 10/100 RJ-45 + WAN ports)
using a CAT5 crossover cable to Port 7 (not the WAN). Both routers support
several PCs.

As my ISP allows 2 dynamic IPs, I connect my main workstation to the 4-port
hub directly using a 10Mbps NIC with only TCP/IP bound and a separate 100Mbps
NIC with only NetBEUI bound which connects to the SMC7008BR and my home
Workgroup network.

The other IP from my ISP goes to the BEFW11S4 and it distributes private IPs
to all other PCs on my home Workgroup network.

06-Sep-07 02:43 PM

On Thu, 6 Sep 2007 10:46:05 -0700, Kevin <Kevin@>


Kevin,

Any time things change, I'd look at a fresh copy of logs from "browstat status",
computer.
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My        email         is          AT         DOT
actual       address    pchuck       mvps        org.

07-Sep-07 03:42 PM

Chuck ... thank you for spotting my thread and providing help ... I'm
actually just reading through your page you linked me to starting at 'Asking
For Help' ... I am familiar (in general) with how to perform the tasks you
outline and will get back to this thread as soon as I have worked my way
through and reviewed all of it for myself (likely tomm. am).  May I ask,
should I post all four results here or use your direct e-mail?
Thanks, Kevin

08-Sep-07 10:42 AM

On Fri, 7 Sep 2007 12:42:01 -0700, Kevin <Kevin@>



Kevin,

YOu're here, so start here, and we'll see where it goes.  None of the
information that you provide should be a problem here, to us or to you.

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My        email         is          AT         DOT
actual       address    pchuck       mvps        org.

08-Sep-07 12:54 PM

Chuck ... I'm just not comfortable putting my IP & MAC addresses out there
in public - would you mind if I provide the ipconfig, netconfig & browstat
(having problems with this command) info directly to you in an e-mail?  If
that's OK, then it's there by now.
Kevin

09-Sep-07 01:22 PM

Chuck ... just to update, I've re-sent my e-mail to you with browstat info
edited in ... I just wasn't reading your article carefully enough yesterday
morning and missed the mention of d/l'ing browstat before use of the commands
involving it.
Kevin

09-Sep-07 07:26 PM

Chuck ... after doing more reading at your excellent website, with respect to:
browstat status:
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus."

I reviewed your mention of SMBs, inconsistent NetBT settings and personal
firewalls.  While reviewing the personal firewalls page, I noticed you
recommend never disabling the Windows Firewall / ICS service ... I had done
just that ... without realizing it would break the Computer Browser service
(as no dependency on Windows Firewall / ICS service is listed for the
Computer Browser service).
I am back to full network functionality, thanks to your resource and, of
course, you coming along here to bring it to my attention.
Thanks again Chuck,
Kevin

10-Sep-07 01:13 AM

On Sun, 9 Sep 2007 16:26:02 -0700, Kevin <Kevin@>


You're quite welcome, Kevin.  Thanks for the update!

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My        email         is          AT         DOT
actual       address    pchuck       mvps        org.