Issue:
common XP issues

Solution:

Advanced tab missing under Network Connection
Blank Desktop or No Desktop After Logon to Windows 2000
Blank Screen or Operating System Cannot Load Profile at Logon
Cannot delete the network bridge
Can't access the XP after installing dial-up on the XP
Can't access another computer - "\\PC is not accessible. The network path was not found"
Can't logon W2K/XP
Can't run a program on win2000/XP
Can't change the workgroup name
Can't ping computer name when using public IPs
Changing Background Bitmap for the Windows NT Logon Screen
Connect using a dial-up modem or VPN option in the New Connection Wizard is unavailable Connection Options Are Not Available When You Try to Create a New Dial-up Connection on W2K Easy accessing resources that require credentials other than the logged-on user's credentials
How to disable Windows Messenger
How to hide a machine from the network browse list
How to manage remote computer's services
How to setup Process Priority
How to use subst to map a virtual drive
How to use the Alternate Configuration functionality to establish multiple-network connectivity
How to use MMC to export computer information lists
Getting Read-Only or "Access Denied" Message When Opening from or Saving to a Network Folder
I have a difficulty to install/run a older program on WinXP
Issues after running XP Networking Wizard
One XP can't ping others by name
Permission tab isn't showed under Sharing and Security
RunAs' GUI Feature
Some applications may not work on the w2k
The Security tab is not available and you cannot configure permissions on WinXP
Two XP computers can ping each other but can't see
XP Shared Documents
XP/W2K can't access to the network
Who are accessing the server
Why don't I have Computer Browser/Workstation service listed on the Services?
Why  is a "make this folder private" box to check in the sharing and security  grayed out
Your network configuration is not complete
 

Advanced tab missing under Network Connection

If the Advanced tab under Network Connection doesn't show, it is possible the adapter is not bound to TCP/IP.

Blank Desktop or No Desktop After Logon to Windows 2000

Can't access the XP after installing dial-up on the XP

Symptom: after installing dial up on xp, not one can access the xp even the xp can access others.

Resolution: when setup dial up, the firewall will be enabled by default. You may want to disable the firewall.

Can't access another computer - "\\PC is not accessible. The network path was not found"

Symptom: In our domain, I as administrator can't browse to my PC from the server and I keep getting "\\PC is not accessible. The network path was not found" even I have enables sharing on the PC and I can ping it

Resolution: You need to login once on the PC as the same logon ID, administrator in this case, to establish the trust relationship between the PC and the server.

Can't change the workgroup name

If you are the member of administrators, but can't change the workgroup name (the Network ID and Workgroup are gray out), make sure you have installed the Client For Microsoft Networks.

Can't logon W2K/XP

Symptoms: You can't logon a w2k/xp workstation and you can logon other w2k/xp and win9x workstations.

Resolution: Your profile may be damaged and you may want to delete it or copy other good profile.

Can't run a program on win2000/XP

Some of the program could not execute, unless I assign them as administrator right. Even power user right also unable to do so.

A: 1) logon administrator, install the program and then test it. copy the profile to each user and default user. 2) if you can, find out the *.dll files related to the program and copy them to the program's directory. 3) Of course, gassings the users to local power user or even administrator group.

Can't ping computer name when using public IPs

Symptoms: When trying to build a home network with 2 XP boxes and a Linksys switch. Cable modem connected to the switch and so are the 2 PC. Internet works fine on both machines, and they can ping IP each other back and forth, but none of them can see the other in network places. All settings are correct. IP address is assigned by DHCP, they both 12.234.x.x and subnet mask is 255.255.x.x.

Resolutions: 1. Add a router and assign private ip instead public ip.
2. Setup ICS on one XP as host and another as client.
3. Install Netbeui on both computers.

Changing Background Bitmap for the Windows NT Logon Screen

Connect using a dial-up modem or VPN option in the New Connection Wizard is unavailable (gray out)

SYMPTOMS:
1) After installed SP1 for XP and then use the System Restore feature to restore Windows to a state before the installation of the service pack.
2) After upgraded your computer to XP Pro from Win98, ME and XP Home. You may experience the following symptoms: a) The Connect using a dial-up modem or VPN option in the New Connection Wizard is unavailable (gray out). b) The Network Connections folder is empty. c) ICS and ICF services do not start because of a dependency failure. d) In the Event Viewer, you may get Event ID: 7023, Event ID: 20035 or error 5 with Access is denied, Remote Access Connection Manager failed to start because it could not create buffers or Could not start the Remote Access Connection Manager service on Local Computer.

Resolution:
1) To resolve this problem, reinstall SP1 for Windows XP.
2) Delete the NextID value HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Telephony\Cards\NextID, and then restart the computer.
3) Delete the Telephony key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Telephony.

Note: refer to MS Q320558, Q259886 and Q329441.

Connection Options Are Not Available When You Try to Create a New Dial-up Connection on W2K Pro

How to disable Windows Messenger

In the Windows Messenger, go to Tools>Options>Preferences, check Run This Program When Windows Starts.

How to hide a machine from the network browse list

To hide your computer from the network browse list, run regedit and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters, change Hidden value from 0 to 1. Or use net config server /hidden:yes command on your computer.

How to manage remote computer's services

You can use SC.exe and NETSVC.exe to manage a computer's services remotely. For example, to view the services on a computer called Server1, use this command: netsvc /query \\server1 /list., To start SQLserver services, do this: netsvc sqlserver \\server1 /start.

How to setup Process Priority

If there are several processes competing for processor resources and you want to improve the performance for one of them, you may change process priorities. To do this, open Task Manager, right-click the software and select Set Priority if you logon the system account who is running the software. If you get "Access is denied", you may use AT command utility to launch Task Manager and then change process  priority, for example, "at 10:00 /interactive taskmgr".

How to use subst to map a virtual drive

1. You can use subst to map a virtual drive like mapping local c as z.

2. subst syntax: subst drive1: drive2:\path, for example, subst z: b:\apps or subst z: \\cbgnt6\shared

3. Subst display the name of the virtual drives in effect.

4. To delete the virtual drive, use subst drive1 /d forexample, subst z: /d

How to use the Alternate Configuration functionality to establish multiple-network connectivity

If you want to use your laptop on both office and home networks without having to manually reconfigure TCP/IP settings and one of those networks does not have a DHCP server, you may be able to do this by using the XP Alternate Configuration functionality. For example, when you are in the office, the computer uses a DHCP to assign TCP/IP configuration. When you are at home (where you do not have access to a DHCP server), the computer automatically uses the alternative configuration. To do this, go to Control Panel>Network and Internet Connections>Network Connections, right-click the connection that you want to configure and click Properties. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)>Properties>Alternate Configuration, and assign IP, default gateway and DNS manually.

How to use MMC to export computer information lists

The Windows Exporting List feature allows you to save textual computer information. To do that, in the Computer Management console, right-click Services>Exporting List, choose the saved location and file name.

Getting Read-Only or "Access Denied" Message When Opening from or Saving to a Network Folder

Symptom: When opening a network folder in Windows Explorer and then try to open a file from or save a file to that folder, the associated program may report a sharing violation, return an "access denied" message, or open the document as read-only. Typically, this problem occurs when you open a network folder and then double-click to open a Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel file. The document opens as read-only.

Resolution: To fix this problem, go to Windows Explorer, open the network folder that contains the file that you are trying to open or save. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options. Click Use Windows classic folders, and then click OK.

Getting Read-Only or "Access Denied" Message When Opening from or Saving to a Network Folder

Symptom: When opening a network folder in Windows Explorer and then try to open a file from or save a file to that folder, the associated program may report a sharing violation, return an "access denied" message, or open the document as read-only. Typically, this problem occurs when you open a network folder and then double-click to open a Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel file. The document opens as read-only.

Resolution: To fix this problem, go to Windows Explorer, open the network folder that contains the file that you are trying to open or save. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options. Click Use Windows classic folders, and then click OK.

I have a difficulty to install/run a older program on WinXP.

A: If you try to install/run an older program and are told that it's not compatible. Try follow these steps: Windows Explorer to the folder holding the program's *.exe file. Right-click the file, choose Properties>Compatible, and then check run this program in compatible mode for, and select one of the Windows OS in the drop-down list.

Issues after running XP Networking Wizard

You may have some difficulties after running XP Networking Wizard. The symptoms are 1)  You cannot connect to other computers on your network or the other computers do not appear when you click Entire Network.  The other computers can't ping your computer or access to your computer. The following are some known issues.
1. The Bridge Connections may be enabled if you add second NIC on a XP computer and run the Networking Wizard.
2. XP's built-in ICF and ICS accidentally activated on the LAN connections when running the Networking Wizard. To disable the XP ICF and ICS, go to the Properties of the connection, Advanced, and uncheck ICS and ICF.

One XP can't ping others by name

Assuming all other computer work fine and you have correct TCP/IP settings on that computer, check the Node Type and the default should be Hybrid.

Permissions tab isn't showed under Sharing and Security

If you have Simple File Sharing enabled, the Sharing and Security won't show the Permissions tab. To give every one rights to read on the drive you need check Share this folder on the network. To give every one rights to write on the drive, check Allow network users to change my files. Or you may want to disable the Simple File Sharing.

Problem after installing software or hardware

We may want to use System Restore to restore your computer to a previous good configuration. To do that, go to Help and Support, and then follow the instruction.

RunAs' GUI Feature

Windows 2000/XP Professional enables you to run tools and programs with different permissions than the user's current logon provides. To run a program as an administrator: press and hold the SHIFT key, right-click the program icon, and then click Run as.

Some applications may not work on the w2k

Some applications may not work on the w2k because the application installation tries to override the windows *.dll files which are protect by the windows. If this is the case, find out the dll and copy it into the applications executive file folder because windows looks the folder first.

The Security tab is not available and you cannot configure permissions on WinXP

If the file or folder that you want to apply permissions to is not on an NTFS file system drive and Simple file sharing is enabled, you can't see the Security tab and set permissions. By default, simplified sharing is enabled in Windows XP unless you are on a domain. To work around this behavior, disable Simplified Sharing.

Two XP computers can ping each other but can't see

If two XP computers can ping but can't see each other on My Network Places, it is possible browser issue. Make sure both computer browser services are started.

XP Shared Documents

In XP, you have two options, local sharing and network sharing, to share a folder. To do this, locate the folder you want to share, and right-click on it. Then select Sharing and Security. If you want to share the folder only with people who logs on this computer (local users), drag it to the Shared Documents folder. To make the folder private so that only you have access, select Make this folder private.

To share the folder with some one on the network, check the Share this folder on the network. By default, users are given read-only access to the files in the folder.

Note: If you are connected to a domain instead of a workgroup network or if you disable Simple file shareing, the Shared Documents folder is not available. However, you can share each individual folder with the permission.

XP/W2K can't access to the network

Symptoms: You have a D-Link DI-604 router with two PC's connected to it; one runs 98SE the other runs W2K. The light on the w2k NIC is on, as is the light on the router port, but neither flashes with any activity. When you try to run IPCONFIG, it simply says MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2000 IP CONFIGURATION. There is not IP information listed at all.

Resolutions: 1. Disable Deterministic Network Enhancer component under Network connection if you have it enabled. 2. Check the hardware settings such as router, switch, hub and NIC.

Who are accessing the server

To show the list of all PCs connecting to the server with the corresponding current users to the server and files opened, you can: 1) use command net session and net file; 2) go to My computer>Manager>Computer Manager>shared Folders, check Sessions and Open Files.

Logon assigned computer only

If you would like to limit a user logon a particular computer only (he/she can't logon other computers) in a domain network, go to AD users & computers, right-click the user, select Account>Log on To, check The following computer and then select the computer that the user will logon.

Why  is a "make this folder private" box to check in the sharing and security  grayed out

A: The hard disk was formatted as FAT32. You may need to convert it to NTFS. To do that, in the command prompt window, type convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs.

Q: Why don't I have Computer Browser/Workstation service listed on the Services?

A: Make sure you enable the Client for Microsoft Network.

Your network configuration is not complete