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Solved
Unable to connect to other connected devices
I have 2 PC's connected to my router. The first is my desktop which is wired via Ethernet. The 2nd is my Laptop which is connected via WiFi.
Recently, neither device can see the other on the networ...
Jim_Elma, I guess some examples might be in order...
NEW VIEW (run from a CMD prompt):
===============
C:\>net view
Server Name Remark
--------------------------------------------
\\IRV8700 Irv's 8700
\\LARAINE-XPS8500 Laraine's XPS8500
\\READYSHARE readyshare
The command completed successfully.=================
As you can see, although I also have an Amazon Echo and FireTV Stick, as well as 2 iPad's on the LAN, only the PC's (mine is wired, wife's is wireless) and the USB drive on the router have 'shares' on the SERVER NAME.
One can do a NET VIEW on any SERVER NAME and see the shares available, like:
========
C:\>net view \\laraine-xps8500
Shared resources at \\laraine-xps8500
Laraine's XPS8500
Share name Type Used as Comment
---------------------------------------
C_disk Disk
D_drive Disk
E_drive Disk
The command completed successfully.==========
Since I know her IP Address I can also get to it that way (bypasses SMB1 by the way):
==========
C:\>net view \\192.168.1.40
Shared resources at \\192.168.1.40
Laraine's XPS8500
Share name Type Used as Comment
---------------------------------------
C_disk Disk
D_drive Disk
E_drive Disk
The command completed successfully.=======
Now the USB drive on the router using the Server name and IP Address:
============
C:\>net view \\readyshare
Shared resources at \\readyshare
readyshare
Share name Type Used as Comment
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Movies Disk read:all-no password;write:all-no password
USB_Storage Disk read:admin;write:admin
The command completed successfully.
C:\>net view \\192.168.1.1
Shared resources at \\192.168.1.1
readyshare
Share name Type Used as Comment
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Movies Disk read:all-no password;write:all-no password
USB_Storage Disk read:admin;write:admin
The command completed successfully.=============
You can use the DIR command to see what is the Server's share, like :
================
C:\>dir \\readyshare\usb_storage
Volume in drive \\readyshare\usb_storage is USB_Storage
Volume Serial Number is 8A4E-F8FB
Directory of \\readyshare\usb_storage
04/29/2018 12:14 PM <DIR> .
01/01/2015 04:00 AM <DIR> ..
05/10/2014 01:54 PM <DIR> $RECYCLE.BIN
11/10/2017 09:25 PM 423,489,144 Audio_Driver_PKGMR_WN32_6.0.1.7564_A01.EX
E
05/30/2013 07:15 PM <DIR> AUTORUN
07/23/2009 02:07 PM 28 AUTORUN.INF
11/14/2016 04:00 PM <DIR> netgear_downloader
03/27/2018 06:08 PM 48 norton_2018.txt
10/30/2016 12:42 PM <DIR> Pictures
08/18/2017 01:25 PM <DIR> share
04/29/2018 10:49 AM <DIR> System Volume Information
04/29/2018 10:47 AM <DIR> W10_image
04/15/2005 08:48 AM 6,722 WDLOGO.ICO
04/29/2018 10:47 AM <DIR> WS_HOLD
4 File(s) 423,495,942 bytes
10 Dir(s) 417,499,398,144 bytes free============
You can substitute IP Address for the Server name above too.
Now the NET USE command:
==============
C:\>net use t: \\readyshare\usb_storage
The command completed successfully.
C:\>dir t:
Volume in drive T is USB_Storage
Volume Serial Number is 8A4E-F8FB
Directory of T:\
04/29/2018 12:14 PM <DIR> .
01/01/2015 04:00 AM <DIR> ..
05/10/2014 01:54 PM <DIR> $RECYCLE.BIN
11/10/2017 09:25 PM 423,489,144 Audio_Driver_PKGMR_WN32_6.0.1.7564_A01.EXE
05/30/2013 07:15 PM <DIR> AUTORUN
07/23/2009 02:07 PM 28 AUTORUN.INF
11/14/2016 04:00 PM <DIR> netgear_downloader
03/27/2018 06:08 PM 48 norton_2018.txt
10/30/2016 12:42 PM <DIR> Pictures
08/18/2017 01:25 PM <DIR> share
04/29/2018 10:49 AM <DIR> System Volume Information
04/29/2018 10:47 AM <DIR> W10_image
04/15/2005 08:48 AM 6,722 WDLOGO.ICO
04/29/2018 10:47 AM <DIR> WS_HOLD
4 File(s) 423,495,942 bytes
10 Dir(s) 417,499,398,144 bytes free
C:\>net use
New connections will be remembered.
Status Local Remote Network
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK T: \\readyshare\usb_storage Microsoft Windows Network
The command completed successfully.
C:\>net use t: /d
t: was deleted successfully.============================
What I did was assign the share to my PC's T: drive. I can do whatever I wish with it now direct from my PC. The NET USE will show you what is used too. the command with the drive a /d will release the drive letter.
All you have to know is the SERVER name shown on NET VIEW, and the share names on the individual devices. On possible drawback (same as using the LAN method to access another PC) is you'll need ACCESS to the shares, which you probably already have.
Another thing, unless you've set up RESERVED IP ADDRESSES you can not rely on using the IP Address method as they can change depending on which device comes on-line first. In my case I did reserve specific IP addresses for ALL PC's.
Hope this helps. Reply back if you need more info or details.
I am running Windows 10 v1709 on both machines.
My research on the web when this issue started last week suggested that I turn on the SMB1 client on all PC's which I did. Following that change I was able to see all the PC's on the network. However, that was apparently a temporary band-aid fix as it is no longer working.
As I tried to explain in my original inquiry, we have a total of 7 devices in our household that could link to the network when active. This includes the following:
2 - PC's (Desktop & Laptop)
3 - Cell Phones (mine, wife, son)
1 - Printer (wired to desktop, Bluetooth to laptop)
1 - Xbox (son's games)
When I log into the Netgear Web Admin service from my Desktop and view the devices attached to the network, it gives me an icon and IP addresss for 6 devices on the network. The missing device is the Laptop (even though it is on and active).
When I log into the Netgear Web Admin service from my Laptop and view the devices attached to the network, it gives me an icon and IP addrress for 6 devices on the network. The missing device is the Desktop (even though it is on and active).
FYI - When I read about SMB1, it said that this was a change that Microsoft made to protect businesses for security purposes. They knew it would impact home users but put the change in anyway. It said that home users security would be at risk is this was turned on. I turned it on anyway.
One additional note:
When I turned on SMB1 client, I also turned on these additional related switches:
SMB1 Server
SMB1 Automatic Removal
Is it possible that these are causing my issue ?
As an FYI - right after my prior post, I went into Explorer on my Laptop, my Desktop showed up on my network.
So, sometimes its there and sometimes its not. There does not seem to be a solution out there for this MICROSOFT issue.
I personally do not believe this is a Netgear issue, but though your tech guys may have better access to solutions than I have on my own searching the web.
Is there a way I can force these machines to see each other regardless of what Microsoft does with their damn releases that always causes issues of one kind or another ?
Jim_Elma, first of all, this is NOT an MS problem per se. It is a security loophole problem. SMB 1 is not SECURE so MS tried to protect 'us'. See this LINK for instance. However too many 'parts' use SMB1, 2, or 3. However NOT every thing uses the lastest and more secure SMB 2/3. Netgear routers mostly use SMB1. The R7000 and R8000 I know do and you can't see shares with the NET VIEW command nor Windows Explorer unless the SMB 1 client IS enabled. Netgear 'claims' SMB 2/3 is enabled in the firmware however it appears that some 'discovery' part might be missing to make NET VIEW and Windows Explorer work properly.
As for PC's and Router USB Shared disks appearing sometimes and then not, it seems to me to be a function of the Master Browser. If no PC is on, the router is the Master Browser but when the first PC comes on-line it becomes the Master Browser. Another PC comes on-line, it becomes the Master Browser. In each case the PC gets the device list from the prior master. That seems to me to be partially broken. Google 'master browser' and you'll see many threads on it.
I'd also ONLY install the Client. The Server opens up some security hole, and the Auto Disconnect isn't needed.
Now for more info on W10 Creator Update, CHECK HERE.
Although the above link 'claims' that SMB 1 will stay enabled IF an Administrator enables it, I don't think that always holds? I had to do that enabling twice on the W10 Pro PC? W10 Home always stayed enabled?
The ONLY other way is to KNOW the IP Address of the PC/Device you want to access.
For instance, to see the READYSHARE USB drive on the router you could get to it 2 ways
NET VIEW \\READYSHARE
NET VIEW \\192.168.1.1 (use you router gateway IP Address if not 192.168.1.1)
Use the IP Address of any device that way.
Also, you could NET USE drive: \\ipaddress\sharename to create a drive letter on your PC to allow access to another PC's share. This bypasses SMB 1.
Thank you for your exceptional explanation and associated links.
I believe I previously read about the very confusing Master Browser scenario in my prior research. It's compounded in our home as I typically use our Laptop while my wife uses the Desktop. Who logs on and off and when can be different every day or several times a day. While we typically both shut down our respective devices every night. It may be best to at least keep the desktop powered on all of the time. Leaving the Laptop powered on all the time makes no sense what so ever.
Your proposed solution via the NET VIEW or NET USE makes sence, but I need to understand how each actually works.
So, lets assume I'm going to use NET USE.
I'm not network savvy, but I assume this is a command line function and use it by first typing cmd in the windows 10 run box.
I would assume that if I do not wish to type this command everytime I log on, I could put it in a batch file (e.g., netuse.bat) and place it into the Windows 10 Startup folder.
As far as the command itself I would assume the command parameters you referrence would filled in as follows:
Net Use "drive" - would be a drive I assign for reference to our Desktop (e.g., Y)
"IP addresss/sharename" - would be the IP address of our desktop computer
I'm not quite sure about "sharename"... ? would this be the PC Name, Drive C on the Desktop or Folder Name on the Desktop (e.g., Documents).
I would assume folder, because your //Readyshare example seemed to suggest referrence to a folder on the USB drive.
Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Jim