Re: can't file share files wirelessly over WRT54G router

"Mark Klebanoff" <maxikins@xxxxxxxxxx> hath wroth:

The problem is that while the Dell can access the internet wirelessly
without problem, it cannot share files over the wireless connection.
It cannot see or access the other computers, nor can the desktops see
or access it. When I plug in via wired ethernet, file sharing works
without problem.

In theory, wireless is Layer 3 protocol neutral. Wireless is bridging
and doesn't know anything about TCP/IP. The file sharing can be done
with NETBEUI, IPX/SPX, or some other protocol, and it should still
work. Note that for Windoze file sharing to function, NETBIOS must be
running on top of some protocol. It's usually TCP/IP but can be
NETBEUI. Make sure NETBIOS is enabled over NETBEUI.

they are connected via a Linksys WRT54G version 2 router with the
latest (Aug 05) firmware

The current version from Linksys is 4.20.7 dated 8/25/2005. I don't
see anything in the release history that would affect this problem.

The question boils down to:
1. What is different between the direct ethernet connection and
wireless with respect to file sharing?
2. What might be preventing NETBEUI file sharing on a specific
interface?

Try:

1. Do you have a working connection via wireless? There's no handy
ping utility for NETBEUI, so you'll need ot rely on the supplied
diagnostics. I can't find any useful way to test NETBEUI other than
higher level sharing diagnostics such as:
NET VIEW
NETSTAT -an
NBTSTAT -n
If you see the rest of the network with these diagnostics, it's sorta
working.

2. Is NETBEUI properly installed on the DELL 5650? See:
http://www.ezlan.net/netbeui.html
Quite simple methinks.

3. Do you have a working wireless connection? Not being able to
share via NETBEUI might be indicative of no connectivity. The most
common problem is WEP key failure. Use a Hex key, not an ASCII key,
or temporarily test it with encryption disabled. If possible, you
might try a different computer going through the wireless part of the
puzzle. That will identify if the problem is with the Dell or the
WRT54G.

4. Try disabling the Windoze filewall on the Dell 5650. I don't
think it will have any effect but it's worth a try.

5. Did you properly enable/disable TCP/IP and NETBEUI in the adapter
settings? This might account for the diffrence between wireless and
wired.
Control Panel -> Network
Pull down the "Advanced" thingy on the menu bar at the top of the
window. Check if the correct protocols are installed and bound to the
adapter.
http://www.ezlan.net/network/XP_Net_advance.jpg
Also make sure that Client for Microsloth Networks is installed and
set to Windoze Locator for RPC/DNS services.

6. It is possible that the WRT54G v2 is blocking broadcasts via the
wireless interface. Try connecting directly to a remote share with:
Start -> Run -> \\share_name
You should get a directory listing even though Computers Near Me and
NET VIEW show nothing.

7. I'll assume that your Dell 5650 has SP2 and subsequent updates
installed. There were a large number of network related bug fixes in
SP2.

8. Got any MAC filters enabled in the WRT54G? For that matter, got
any IP filters that might be blocking TCP/IP traffic and taking other
protocols with it? It's a stretch, but possible.

I sure wish there were a ping like utility that worked with NETBEUI.
If all else fails, there's always sniffing the wireless connection and
analyzing the capture file with Ethereal:
http://www.ethereal.com
Methinks that's far too much work for this problem.

Incidentally, I've run NETBEUI file sharing through various routers
including a WRT54G v1.1 in the past without difficulties. It should
work (famous last words).



--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
.

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