Updates changed network settings

Hi,

I have a wireless network between two computers that share files and
printers. Everything worked fine until after I installed updates from
microsoft which enabled the Microsoft Internet Firewall.

If the Firewall is ENABLED and I select "View Workgroup Computers", only one
computer is listed. If the Firewall is DISABLED, they both show up in the
list.

Since I have WEP encryption enabled between the two machines, do I even need
to have a firewall enabled?

Also, how can I setup Firewall that allows both computers to share resources!

Thanks in advance,

On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 14:39:04 -0700, AKA Spawn <> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I have a wireless network between two computers that share files and
>printers. Everything worked fine until after I installed updates from
>microsoft which enabled the Microsoft Internet Firewall.
>
>If the Firewall is ENABLED and I select "View Workgroup Computers", only one
>computer is listed. If the Firewall is DISABLED, they both show up in the
>list.
>
>Since I have WEP encryption enabled between the two machines, do I even need
>to have a firewall enabled?
>
>Also, how can I setup Firewall that allows both computers to share resources!
>
>Thanks in advance,

How to configure file sharing in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304040

The ideal way is to get a router/gateway like D-Link, Belkin, Netgear, Linksys, etc.
Belkin & Netgear are available at any Staples outlet.) It provides a
firewall on the WAN side to protect your shared files, it will allow you
to share the internet connection, it will negotiate the PPPoE or other
type of IP connection automatically (you don't need ANY connection
software anymore), and doesn't cost much more than a good firewall.

On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 14:39:04 -0700, AKA Spawn
<> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I have a wireless network between two computers that share files and
>printers. Everything worked fine until after I installed updates from
>microsoft which enabled the Microsoft Internet Firewall.
>
>If the Firewall is ENABLED and I select "View Workgroup Computers", only one
>computer is listed. If the Firewall is DISABLED, they both show up in the
>list.
>
>Since I have WEP encryption enabled between the two machines, do I even need
>to have a firewall enabled?
>
>Also, how can I setup Firewall that allows both computers to share resources!
>
>Thanks in advance,

Yes you need a firewall. WEP has got nothing to do with stopping
internet attacks etc it just controls which machines can log onto your
wireless network via the wireless link.

Windows Firewall gets enabled by various actions including some
updates and running the network connection wizard.

Windows firwall is irritatingly difficult to use, it is also a load of
rubbish as it only stops incoming connections, the point of most
malware is outgoing connections obviously. Best thing to do is disable
it and use Kerio or similar firewall software which is much better,
simpler and works with networks not against them.

Jonah

Guys,

How do I re-establish connection between computers. The Host has lost
communication with client and vice versa. I didn't change anything before or
after the updates. Both computers are in the same workgroup. I can't figure
out what happened.

-AKA

"AKA Spawn" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I have a wireless network between two computers that share files and
> printers. Everything worked fine until after I installed updates from
> microsoft which enabled the Microsoft Internet Firewall.
>
> If the Firewall is ENABLED and I select "View Workgroup Computers", only one
> computer is listed. If the Firewall is DISABLED, they both show up in the
> list.
>
> Since I have WEP encryption enabled between the two machines, do I even need
> to have a firewall enabled?
>
> Also, how can I setup Firewall that allows both computers to share resources!
>
> Thanks in advance,
>

Guys,

This is freaking me out. I re-enabled the Windows Firewall on the host and
both computers are showing up in the Workgroups section. The client machine
however only lists itself in the Workgroup section minus the host.

The host has SP1 and SP2 installed while the client only has SP1 installed.
Could this be the problem?

-AKA

"Jonah" wrote:

> On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 14:39:04 -0700, AKA Spawn
> <> wrote:
>
> >Hi,
> >
> >I have a wireless network between two computers that share files and
> >printers. Everything worked fine until after I installed updates from
> >microsoft which enabled the Microsoft Internet Firewall.
> >
> >If the Firewall is ENABLED and I select "View Workgroup Computers", only one
> >computer is listed. If the Firewall is DISABLED, they both show up in the
> >list.
> >
> >Since I have WEP encryption enabled between the two machines, do I even need
> >to have a firewall enabled?
> >
> >Also, how can I setup Firewall that allows both computers to share resources!
> >
> >Thanks in advance,
>
> Yes you need a firewall. WEP has got nothing to do with stopping
> internet attacks etc it just controls which machines can log onto your
> wireless network via the wireless link.
>
> Windows Firewall gets enabled by various actions including some
> updates and running the network connection wizard.
>
> Windows firwall is irritatingly difficult to use, it is also a load of
> rubbish as it only stops incoming connections, the point of most
> malware is outgoing connections obviously. Best thing to do is disable
> it and use Kerio or similar firewall software which is much better,
> simpler and works with networks not against them.
>
> Jonah
>

On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 16:33:02 -0700, AKA Spawn
<> wrote:

>Guys,
>
>How do I re-establish connection between computers. The Host has lost
>communication with client and vice versa. I didn't change anything before or
>after the updates. Both computers are in the same workgroup. I can't figure
>out what happened.
>
>-AKA

snip

Don't you read replys FFS turn the Windows Firewall Off and get a
proper firewall.

Run the network setup wizard on both machines.

Then turn the firewall off as it will have been switched on again.

Your network should then be OK

Jonah

Jonah, Unk,

Turns out it was SP2 being on only one machine causing the problem. After I
installed SP2 on the client machine they're connected again even with
Firewall enabled on both machines.

Since I'm using a NetGear wireless router which has the built-in Firewall as
Unk stated, do I still need to have the WinXP Firewall enabled?

It appears that both Firewalls are working well together as I have not
recieved any error messages and both machines are networked and working fine.

-AKA

"AKA Spawn" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I have a wireless network between two computers that share files and
> printers. Everything worked fine until after I installed updates from
> microsoft which enabled the Microsoft Internet Firewall.
>
> If the Firewall is ENABLED and I select "View Workgroup Computers", only one
> computer is listed. If the Firewall is DISABLED, they both show up in the
> list.
>
> Since I have WEP encryption enabled between the two machines, do I even need
> to have a firewall enabled?
>
> Also, how can I setup Firewall that allows both computers to share resources!
>
> Thanks in advance,
>

On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 20:15:01 -0700, AKA Spawn <> wrote:

>Jonah, Unk,
>
>Turns out it was SP2 being on only one machine causing the problem. After I
>installed SP2 on the client machine they're connected again even with
>Firewall enabled on both machines.
>
>Since I'm using a NetGear wireless router which has the built-in Firewall as
>Unk stated, do I still need to have the WinXP Firewall enabled?
>
>It appears that both Firewalls are working well together as I have not
>recieved any error messages and both machines are networked and working fine.
>
>-AKA
>
>"AKA Spawn" wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have a wireless network between two computers that share files and
>> printers. Everything worked fine until after I installed updates from
>> microsoft which enabled the Microsoft Internet Firewall.
>>
>> If the Firewall is ENABLED and I select "View Workgroup Computers", only one
>> computer is listed. If the Firewall is DISABLED, they both show up in the
>> list.
>>
>> Since I have WEP encryption enabled between the two machines, do I even need
>> to have a firewall enabled?
>>
>> Also, how can I setup Firewall that allows both computers to share resources!
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
No, you don't need the XP's firewall. The NAT firewall in the router will isolate you.
However, keep an eye on the activity lights. If the WAN and the LAN lights blink at the same
rate, the NAT firewall failed. I've seen this happen on a D-Link and and a Linksys...

If that worries you, leave them activated. Neither will inform you outgoing activity.

Unk,

Sorry for not getting back sooner. Thank you for the info re: firewalls.
I'll monitor the status of router as you suggested. That's interesting though
about the D-Link and LinkSys router firewalls failing. I never considered
that possibility so I'm glad to hear about it. Thanks again for your help
with this :-)

-AKA

"Unk" wrote:

> On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 20:15:01 -0700, AKA Spawn <> wrote:
>
> >Jonah, Unk,
> >
> >Turns out it was SP2 being on only one machine causing the problem. After I
> >installed SP2 on the client machine they're connected again even with
> >Firewall enabled on both machines.
> >
> >Since I'm using a NetGear wireless router which has the built-in Firewall as
> >Unk stated, do I still need to have the WinXP Firewall enabled?
> >
> >It appears that both Firewalls are working well together as I have not
> >recieved any error messages and both machines are networked and working fine.
> >
> >-AKA
> >
> >"AKA Spawn" wrote:
> >
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> I have a wireless network between two computers that share files and
> >> printers. Everything worked fine until after I installed updates from
> >> microsoft which enabled the Microsoft Internet Firewall.
> >>
> >> If the Firewall is ENABLED and I select "View Workgroup Computers", only one
> >> computer is listed. If the Firewall is DISABLED, they both show up in the
> >> list.
> >>
> >> Since I have WEP encryption enabled between the two machines, do I even need
> >> to have a firewall enabled?
> >>
> >> Also, how can I setup Firewall that allows both computers to share resources!
> >>
> >> Thanks in advance,
> >>
> No, you don't need the XP's firewall. The NAT firewall in the router will isolate you.
> However, keep an eye on the activity lights. If the WAN and the LAN lights blink at the same
> rate, the NAT firewall failed. I've seen this happen on a D-Link and and a Linksys...
>
> If that worries you, leave them activated. Neither will inform you outgoing activity.
>
>
>

Jonah,

Thanks for the headsup about the limitations of the Windows Firewall. I'll
look into setting up Kerio as a replacement per your suggestion. Thanks again
for your help with this. :-)

-AKA

"Jonah" wrote:

> On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 14:39:04 -0700, AKA Spawn
> <> wrote:
>
> >Hi,
> >
> >I have a wireless network between two computers that share files and
> >printers. Everything worked fine until after I installed updates from
> >microsoft which enabled the Microsoft Internet Firewall.
> >
> >If the Firewall is ENABLED and I select "View Workgroup Computers", only one
> >computer is listed. If the Firewall is DISABLED, they both show up in the
> >list.
> >
> >Since I have WEP encryption enabled between the two machines, do I even need
> >to have a firewall enabled?
> >
> >Also, how can I setup Firewall that allows both computers to share resources!
> >
> >Thanks in advance,
>
> Yes you need a firewall. WEP has got nothing to do with stopping
> internet attacks etc it just controls which machines can log onto your
> wireless network via the wireless link.
>
> Windows Firewall gets enabled by various actions including some
> updates and running the network connection wizard.
>
> Windows firwall is irritatingly difficult to use, it is also a load of
> rubbish as it only stops incoming connections, the point of most
> malware is outgoing connections obviously. Best thing to do is disable
> it and use Kerio or similar firewall software which is much better,
> simpler and works with networks not against them.
>
> Jonah
>