Network (Shared Drive) Dropouts

[zenpmd]

There's no real reason not to just use a persistent mapped drive, but something clearly went wrong at some point

try setting that up and post back if you have further issues.

OK cool, thanks. Just one question, do I always say use different credentials? And then input my username and password for the other computer?

[Splash]

Yep, unless you're on a domain and those credentials are valid.

[zenpmd]

Yep, unless you're on a domain and those credentials are valid.

Dammit. I stll have the same problem....

[Splash]

You don't have a login script or anything? Run net use again - do you see the path again?

[zenpmd]

You don't have a login script or anything? Run net use again - do you see the path again?

Once connected I see just one path, which is good. However the main issue is that it is requiring a log on password every time after reboot.

When mapping I had reconnect at sign in and sign in using different credentials checked. I chose the latter as the password and username to my other computer is different to the other (which I assume is right), and reconnect at sign in presumably means auto connect every boot?

[Splash]

when you click the "different credentials" button you should be prompted for the credetials to use: did you enter mothership\username or just username?

[zenpmd]

when you click the "different credentials" button you should be prompted for the credetials to use: did you enter mothership\username or just username?

Hi all, sorry for the long delay. I finally got it working, just made sure everything was totally deleted and it wasnt getting confused and that it was matching the credentials perfectly. Thanks so much everyone for your very kind help

[frownbreaker]

How is the remote server connected are all the PCs on the same switch connected via Ethernet?

You can check your event log for a browser election. Report back if you see any log entries.

It may be naming services that converts the server name to an IP address is not working. There are a few things you can do to help things

1) Setup the service to use a static IP or set it up on your modem / routers DHCP to give the server the same address each time
2) Use this format for the server / share //<IP Address> e.g. //192.168.0.53 instead of the name you are using.

If this works (and the name does not) you have an issue with >1 Windows machine trying to be the master browser.

Also make sure you have not turned off any network discovery services on your windows PCs as these are needed. Eg. Computer Browser Service

If you are on Win8 and you have issue with a HomeGroup turn on simple file sharing and see if this works.

[peterb]

Frown breaker, you need to read the previous post - the OP reported that the problem had been solved!

[zenpmd]

Although now I have another problem.....

I have just started using vpns and when I use it it means the computers cant connect anymore. This doesnt make sense as I am using the computer names rather than IP addresses to share the files. Any idea on what I should look at?

[shaithis]

Yes, your default gateway and DNS servers are probably getting superseded by the remote ones from the VPN when you connect it.

The default gateway normally doesn't matter as I expect both PCs to be on the same subnet (i.e. only the last number of their IPs differ - 192.168.0.x) if that's the case the default gateway doesn't come into play.

The DNS servers will though. Edit the VPN connection, go to the networking tab > TCP/IP v4 > Advanced > DNS
Now add both your local DNS IP and the remote DNS IP and make sure your local one is first.

If each network has it's own domain name, I'd add those as well and set your local one first in the DNS search order.

[zenpmd]

My DNS are all set manually to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 - the VPN is not changing this, thats what I don't understand?

Apologies for my ignorance but what do you mean about the network domain name? I probably mislead in my origina post - there is just sharing of folder between the computers, not a network as such?

[DanceswithUnix]

My DNS are all set manually to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 - the VPN is not changing this, thats what I don't understand?

Apologies for my ignorance but what do you mean about the network domain name? I probably mislead in my origina post - there is just sharing of folder between the computers, not a network as such?

If while the VPN is up you type at a command prompt:

ping mothership

does the command find the machine and work ok?

Edit to add: The bit before when you were asked to ping for a while, you just stop that with Ctrl-C and look at the statistics. In the middle of that, you get a %loss field. Like this:

Reply from 192.168.100.1: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=64

Ping statistics for 192.168.100.1:
Packets: Sent = 16, Received = 16, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 2ms, Maximum = 13ms, Average = 4ms
Control-C
^C


I think you have moved beyond that here, but just tidying up a loose end in case you ever need to try it in future

[zenpmd]

Perfect thanks mate thats a great tip!

Just to be clear on terminology:

Computer A - Plays shared content from upstairs
Computer B - VPN Machine.

Without the VPN I can ping both ways from each machine.
Once the VPN is connected I can ping from B to A (as I assume the vpn doesnt matter here), but from A to B the ping times out.

They are both on 192.168.1.xxx

[zenpmd]

Can anyone help? Thanks!

[Splash]

Unless I misunderstand your description then it's esssentially because while your "VPN machine" is connected to the same physical network it's logically connected to an entirely different network. How is the VPN setup and what are you trying to achieve with the VPN?