Solved Unable to access shared folders from LAN client

antares

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Hi, I have a home wired LAN with the following configuration:
1) A Win 7x64 PC (static IP)
2) A Win 8.1x64 LAPTOP (static IP)
3) A Synology NAS (static IP)
3) A TP-LINK TL-R600VPN Wired Router connected to a cablemodem (internet access WAN) and to the switch.
4) A Trendnet 8 port switch connected to the 3 clients (PC, Laptop and NAS) and to the router (TP-LINK)

I have created a Windows Homegroup (Home/Private) from either the PC or Laptop going step by step as per these instructions and making sure that in both the PC and Laptop all requirements are met (required services, adapter settings, etc). The Homegroup is created successfully but the following issue arises:

- From the PC I can access shared files in the Laptop (by going to Windows Explorer/Network for example). From the PC I can also access the NAS shared files.
- From the Laptop, even though the Homegroup shows "Joined", I cannot access any shared file in the PC or NAS (it will show Error 53, network path not found). If I try to map a network drive (to directly access a shared folder in either the PC or NAS), it will also display an error saying that the network path cannot be found. However from the laptop I can access the NAS using the browser (Firefox, IE, etc).
vns6.jpg

So what is preventing the access to shared folders in the LAN from the laptop?

Thanks for any clue.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1x64 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self made
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Z170-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 2400MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 530
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 23EA53 23" LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 256GB 830 Series SSD main+HGST 4TB 7200RPM as 2nd internal
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 850W TPG-850M
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 650DW-1 Midtower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Antivirus
    NIS2014
Try without Home Group enabled. It should not affect you accessing the NAS. I have the same router as you do. I do not run any firewall within the LAN, due to the router is robust enough to guard against any inbound issues.

Do make sure that you have file sharing enabled, and both computers are set as "Private Network", for their adapters.

Home Group just makes it easier to share Libraries and printers across a network. But in turns it creates a huge headache in these kinds of instances.

I am running into that the Lenovo ix2-4 NAS that I have. Does not even show up in Network on either of my two laptops. So I ended up just saving it as a Favorite in Explorer. There is something with the TL-R600VPN, causing that issue, that I have not pinned down to. I am about to start playing with the ARP table on it, to see if that is what is causing my issue with the disappearing NAS.

I am retired, and on here a few times a day, so if you want to work together on this issue, shoot me a Private message.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Hi broe23 and thanks for your reply. I don't think this has anything to do with the Router. I had this same setup and I was able to access all LAN shared resources from my laptop without any issues. For some reason, since the last Win8.1 update (have no idea if that has anything to do with this), I'm unable to access any LAN shared resource (PC or NAS) from the laptop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1x64 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self made
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Z170-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 2400MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 530
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 23EA53 23" LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 256GB 830 Series SSD main+HGST 4TB 7200RPM as 2nd internal
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 850W TPG-850M
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 650DW-1 Midtower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Antivirus
    NIS2014
Okay, I think I found a fix with my issue. This may also work for you. Go into the adapter(s) and turn off IPv6. Then open a Command Window as Administrator and do the following two commands: "netsh interface ipv4 reset", "netsh interface ipv6 reset", "ipconfig /flushdns", "netsh (adapter name) reset catalog" then do a reboot.

It is working for me. I now see my Lenovo NAS, and it also resolved some other issues that was causing me to not be able to open a couple of folders, that hold at this moment over 50,000 files (IP Camera images).

Like I stated, I do not use any firewall on any of the computers within the LAN in my home. What Firewall or Internet Security software are you using?

Let me know if doing the commands I posted help you out. When I was having the issues connecting to my NAS, before I figured out what was going on. I entered the IP in the Explorer window and then just saved it as a Favorite. I also have in the hosts file, which is located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\, the IP's and name of the device.

My hosts file looks like this:

192.168.1.64 HP Officejet 4500 G510n-z
192.168.1.68:88 Front_Window_Cam
192.168.1.72 TED5000
192.168.1.80 TEW-638APB
192.168.1.83:85 Backyard_Cam
192.168.1.84 ix2-4
192.168.1.87 TV-IP751WIC
192.168.1.92 ECB350
192.168.1.254 TL-R600VPN
192.168.100.1 SB6141

These are all of the common devices that I have set as Static IP's on my network. The only one I have in the TL-R600VPN, in DHCP/ Address Reservation, is the NAS. That is due to it is accessed by my IP cameras through FTP, to load images on the NAS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Hi broe23, can you explain the command "netsh (adapter name) reset catalog"? How do I get the "adapter name"? Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1x64 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self made
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Z170-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 2400MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 530
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 23EA53 23" LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 256GB 830 Series SSD main+HGST 4TB 7200RPM as 2nd internal
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 850W TPG-850M
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 650DW-1 Midtower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Antivirus
    NIS2014
Hi broe23 and thanks for your reply. I don't think this has anything to do with the Router. I had this same setup and I was able to access all LAN shared resources from my laptop without any issues. For some reason, since the last Win8.1 update (have no idea if that has anything to do with this), I'm unable to access any LAN shared resource (PC or NAS) from the laptop.

If this problem started after the last Windows update then use system restore to return the system to a state before the update was installed.

If the restore works then try to figure out which update caused the problem by process of elimination, just install the updates back one at a time with reboots between each installed update. When you notice the problem returning then use restore again and right click the offending update and choose to hide the update so it won't install again. This is standard procedure for update problems. :)

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4692-system-restore-how-do-windows-8-a.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
What I meant was if you are using Ethernet, use ethernet as adapter name. If Wireless, use wlan.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
What I meant was if you are using Ethernet, use ethernet as adapter name. If Wireless, use wlan.

Yes, that was my initial guess, I used "ethernet" but the DOS command prompt is not recognized. Are you sure that's the right syntax?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1x64 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self made
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Z170-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 2400MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 530
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 23EA53 23" LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 256GB 830 Series SSD main+HGST 4TB 7200RPM as 2nd internal
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 850W TPG-850M
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 650DW-1 Midtower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Antivirus
    NIS2014

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Thanks broe23, I performed all those commands, but didn't fix it. I was ready to give up and reinstall Win8, but then I remembered that once I had my firewall (NIS2014) block NetBIOS. So I went to the firewall settings and unblocked NetBIOS and voila, now my laptop can access shared folders in my PC and my NAS, and was able to map the NAS and folders from the PC using Windows Explorer.Now the question remains, why blocking NetBIOS in the firewall causes this behavior?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1x64 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self made
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Z170-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 2400MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 530
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 23EA53 23" LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 256GB 830 Series SSD main+HGST 4TB 7200RPM as 2nd internal
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 850W TPG-850M
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 650DW-1 Midtower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Antivirus
    NIS2014
I forgot about that glitch. Blocking Netbios causes all kinds of havoc. It is just like if you were using a Linux machine and not running Samba or blocking it. There would be no way for the machines to communicate.

137 should not have been blocked. But if the Firewall did it, it could be that its default rule set was told to block it by default. I found the Microsoft KB Article. It had to do with the Messenger Service, is why the Firewall had a Default Rule Set, to automatically block Netbios (Who knows what Microsoft Engineers were thinking at that time). Messenger Service window that contains an Internet advertisement appears
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
It's not Windows causing the problem it's the Norton firewall blocking Netbios for no reason what so ever. Although this service shouldn't be required in order to share between these newer machines.

There certainly is NO default rule in Windows to block this service at all.

It's always helpful when posting here to first mention if you use a third party AV software as these are ALWAYS the source of these types of problems. :)

I have another name for Norton, it's called sabotage.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Hi chev65, let me just mention that I have NIS2014 Firewall's Automatic Program Control disabled, meaning that each time a program requests connection I manually chose to allow or block it. When NetBIOS requested connection I blocked it (Automatic Program Control would've allowed it). The reason I blocked it was to make the laptop stealth in the ShieldsUp site test. Anyway, as mentioned, after I unblocked it from the Program Rules everything is fine now. I'm very happy with NIS2014, specially the firewall is very robust.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1x64 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self made
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Z170-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 2400MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 530
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 23EA53 23" LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 256GB 830 Series SSD main+HGST 4TB 7200RPM as 2nd internal
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 850W TPG-850M
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 650DW-1 Midtower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Antivirus
    NIS2014
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