I Suck At Windows Networks

Forums › Microsoft Windows › I Suck At Windows Networks — BIG TIME!

TLD

902 posts

Ultimate Geek

#240649 18-Sep-2018 18:06

Ever since 3.1 I have never got the hang of networks, and with Windows 10 1803, I can't even share a blimmin printer!

I have Googled for hours, tried all the steps over and over, but the computers don't see each other.

Network Discovery is turned on. Printers are set to share.

The computers are connected via an HG659b modem.

Under Network > Ethernet it says:

Ethernet - Not connected

Network - Connected

Ethernet 2 - Not connected

So I have probably messed it up somewhere along the line.

I also have four computers at Marlborough CAB where I volunteer, that all have new Windows 10 1803 installations. One has a printer, and they all connect top the same modem. I spent an hour trying to set those up today before running out of time, and got nowhere. I have tried the Trouble shooter a zillion times, but the bottom line is I am peeing into the wind and don't have a clue.

So is there an idiots guide out there somewhere, that deals with 1803 without Home Groups? I could usually get those working, so they removed them just so they could have a laugh at my expense.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

MadEngineer

4271 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2092723 18-Sep-2018 18:22

This is usually solved by having the same users or shared credentials on all the machines. Ie if jack is the user who needs his stuff shared, you would need jacks credentials to access the shared data from another pc.

There are both file access permissions and also share access permissions.

Best option is not to make a pc share data, rather have a NAS drive or other dedicated device share the data on the network.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

daparrot

128 posts

Master Geek

#2092764 18-Sep-2018 19:28

I suspect its the 1803 SMB V1 issue

info here on it...

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-networking/windows-10-1803-server-and-clients-problems-with/a3f792d1-9657-4533-a445-69a55010d959

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#2093032 19-Sep-2018 10:23

TLD:

Under Network > Ethernet it says:

Ethernet - Not connected

Network - Connected

Ethernet 2 - Not connected

?? , is that from a server , or off the router, 2 network cards ? Wifi ??

if the printer has network/ethernet capability, use that & setup via printer install CD (or download FULL driver software). It makes it very easy.
Otherwise , if the printer is USB or wifi (god help us)

on the PC the prn is connected to , control panel ,printers, right click the printer,properties , share ,
then in properties security, make sure 'everyone' is ticked (add guest if really desperate)
Turn off pass protected sharing in control panel/networking . Then unshare & reshare prn

make sure all PC's have the same Workgroup name

Assuming the prn is on 'PC1'
on the other PC's , run, \\PC1 , then right click the printer & 'connect'
or in control panel printers, add, search

Still issues, give all the PC's a static local Ip adress . then run , \\192.168.1.20 (20 being the PC with the printer , as an example)
Dont give static IP's to laptops that arnt permanently in the blding (unless static from the routers DHCP settings)

Some very old USB printers were not shareable, but I havnt seen that in a very long time
Also, some nasty printers wont do both USB & wifi/ethernet, but thats rarely seen

engedib

254 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2093049 19-Sep-2018 10:51

TLD:

Ever since 3.1 I have never got the hang of networks, and with Windows 10 1803, I can't even share a blimmin printer!

I have Googled for hours, tried all the steps over and over, but the computers don't see each other.

Network Discovery is turned on. Printers are set to share.

The computers are connected via an HG659b modem.

Under Network > Ethernet it says:

Ethernet - Not connected

Network - Connected

Ethernet 2 - Not connected

So I have probably messed it up somewhere along the line.

I also have four computers at Marlborough CAB where I volunteer, that all have new Windows 10 1803 installations. One has a printer, and they all connect top the same modem. I spent an hour trying to set those up today before running out of time, and got nowhere. I have tried the Trouble shooter a zillion times, but the bottom line is I am peeing into the wind and don't have a clue.

So is there an idiots guide out there somewhere, that deals with 1803 without Home Groups? I could usually get those working, so they removed them just so they could have a laugh at my expense.

Send me a DM, I can pop in and help out one afternoon :)

MCSE+M/S, MCITP

rphenix

985 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2093054 19-Sep-2018 11:00

Instead of that how unlocked are the HG659b's ? Can you login to them and use the USB print server (presuming your printer doesn't already have Wifi or Ethernet)? Using direct IP printing would be a better option if possible to avoid needing a computer to be on for another device to print.

Page 13 of the Manual covers printer sharing by using the USB port.

Rickles

2933 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2093278 19-Sep-2018 16:05

@engedib … that's what Geekzone is all about, nice one

TLD

902 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2093293 19-Sep-2018 16:19

engedib:

Send me a DM, I can pop in and help out one afternoon :)

Wow! That is very generous of you. So far I have the CAB computers sorted out after following Da Parrot's link.

The two Function Discovery entries in Services were either both not running, or only one was running. Starting them up had each of the computers able to see the others, and they are now able to print. My worry was that I was not able to change how they started, but I restarted each computer and they are still seeing the printer. Now I am back at home, I looked some more, and found that I can control how they start from a right click > Properties, so I'll set that up next time I am in town.

The two home computers are a different story, as those Service entries are both already running on both computers, so I suspect I need to have a more careful look at my sharing, or advanced sharing settings. As I said at the top of the thread, there is every chance that I have made things worse with the suck-it-and-see approach I have taken so far, so I'll have a carefull look at let you know how I get on. If I am completely stuck, I will gladly DM engedib. I'm at the top of Hammerichs road by the school.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)