Lost connection to other network computer

Question

I have an old system with Windows 2000. When I bought my new system with Vista 32 it immediately connected with the 2000 system and it's printer. I installed SP2 a while ago and had no problems. A few days ago I tried to print and got an error. I tried to delete and reinstall the network printer and it says "Can't access printer". At that point I still had the 2000 system showing up on the Vista's network. Now I have even lost that. Running the Network Diagnostic returnd "No problem found". I can access the Vista system and it's shared drives from the 2000 system. I have BlackIce running on the 2000 system and had added the router IP and the Vista system IP previously. I deleted them and re-added them. No change. I feel that the problem is on the Vista system. I have Network Discovery turned on and set to Private. I turned it off then back on. No change. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob

I have also selected, unchecked, applied, checked and applied the Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper I/O Driver andLink-Layer Topology Discovery Responder check boxes.I really would appreciate any response,Thanks,Bob

Answer 1

Hello Rpbobb,

Thank you for Posing on the Microsoft Vista Community Forums.

Try the steps below as it might help us fix the issue.

1. Try to boot both the computer in safe mode with networking.
2. Verify if you are able to access the Windows 2000 computer from the Vista computer.

To boot the computer in safe mode with networking, restart both the computers and keep tapping F8 key. Once you see the option to select safe mode with networking, select it and press enter.

If you are able to access Windows 2000 computer from the Vista computer in safe mode with networking, you may have to temporarily disable or remove the security software in Windows 2000

Disable security software and third party firewall.

1. Click on Start and access control panel.
2. In Windows 2000 computer click on add or remove program
3. Select the security software and firewall installed on the computer and uninstall the same.

Also try the link below and follow the steps on how to troubleshoot network connection problems on your Vista computer.

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/33307acf-0698-41ba-b014-ea0a2eb8d0a81033.mspx

If the issue persists, post back with more details:

1. Did you make any changes on the Windows 2000 computer recently?
2. Have you tried to disable or remove BlackIce from the windows 2000 computer and tried to connect?
3. Are you able to ping the IP address of the windows 2000 computer from the Vista computer?
4. Are you using a switch or a router for the network?
5. Is it a wired network or a wireless networks?

Hope it helps.

Thanks and Regards,

Srinivas

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

Answer 2

Hello Rpbobb,

Thank you for replying back.

I am glad to know that the issue is resolved. Please feel free to contact us back, in case you face any other issues in future.

Thanks and Regards,

Srinivas

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

Answer 3

While trying to restart both systems at the same time across the room from each other, the Vista system passed the F8 point. The 2000 system is slower and wasn't completely loaded, so I tried viewing the network from the Vista system as the 2000 system was finishing startup. I was able to see the network. Then I tried to "Install a New Printer" on the Vista system but "Could Not Access Printer", so I used a workaround that I had found install a new printer on the Vista system with a new port and using the network printer as the port. Everything is working now. I hope it continues to work after shutdown.

Thanks for starting me in this direction,

Bob Baisley