Networking Troubleshootings In XP SP2

A Few Most Common Problems:-

NET SEND messages no longer received:-
Workaround:-

First enable the File and Printer Sharing exception in the firewall.

Next,Go to Control Panel, Admin Tools, Services, double-click on the Messenger service, set its start type to Automatic.

FTP folder error:-

Workaround:-
Open Internet Explorer>Tools>Internet Options>Advanced Tab>Put a check mark next to: Use Passive FTP>Put a check mark next to: Enable Folder View of FTP sites

Dial-up connections or Remote Access Connection Manager problems:-

See:-You cannot create a network connection after you restore Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=329441

Workgroup is not accessible:-

If you get one of these symptoms or error messages or a similar one:
You cannot access shares on other computers.
You cannot locate other computers in the workgroup.
When you double-click the workgroup in My Network Places, you get the error message: Workgroup is not accessible. You may not have permission to use this network resource.
Workgroup is not accessible. The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available.

Workaround:-

1>make sure the File and Printer Sharing exception is enabled in the firewall.

2>Make sure the Computer Browser service is running. To have the Computer Browser start automatically, select Administrative tools, Services, and change the Start setting for Computer Browsing to Automatic. You can then reboot the computer or start the service manually by clicking on the Start button.

3>Uninstall third party client software that can interfere with the networking settings.

Winsock corruption:-It may be caused by adware or a virus. Service Pack 2 adds a new command to repair this Winsock corruption problem.
netsh winsock reset catalog

Firewall blocks LPR printing:-The LPR protocol uses TCP Port 515, which is, by default, blocked by the firewall.As a result When you try to print to an LPR printer, the print job fails without any further error message.
Workaround:-Add an exception for TCP port 515 in the firewall.,name it LPR. Enable it only for the local subnet, unless the printer is outside.

Related KB Articles:-
List of networking fixes in Windows XP Service Pack 2

How to troubleshoot wireless network connections in Windows XP Service Pack 2

You cannot modify Windows Firewall settings for an AOL dial-up network connection by using Network Connections in Control Panel in Windows XP Service Pack 2

How to remotely administer a printer through a network share when you use Windows XP Service Pack 2 in a workgroup environment

You cannot configure Windows Firewall settings or Security Center settings on a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based client computer that is in a Windows Small Business Server 2003-based network

You cannot check for updates to the broadband networking software after you install Windows XP Service Pack 2

Error message when you try to run the Wireless Network Setup Wizard after you update to Windows XP Service Pack 2

A physical hard disk drive on your computer may appear as a removable drive when you run the Wireless Network Setup Wizard in Windows XP Service Pack 2

The Computer Browser service does not start and event ID 7024 is logged when you restart your Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer

You receive an "Access denied" or "The network path was not found" error message when you try to remotely manage a computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 2

Using Internet Connection Sharing with user profiles You cannot scan images with a network scanner when Windows Firewall is turned on in Windows XP Service Pack 2

You can use Windows Firewall to help protect network bridge connections in Windows XP Service Pack 2

Regarding more information on XP SP2 Firewall check it here:-Understanding Windows Firewall in Windows XP Service Pack 2
Description of the Windows Firewall feature in Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/843090

General Troubleshooting Windows XP Service Pack 2

1]You receive an "Access is denied" error message when you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=873148

"Access Denied" error when trying to install SP2
http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=7796&view=next

Best option is to go through the Service Pack Installation log files-

you can check the following log files for cues at what may have gone wrong.
Start>Run>type in %windir%\Svcpack.log>ENTER
Start>Run>type in %windir%\setupapi.log>ENTER
%windir% can be replaced with theWindows folder, normally: C:\WINDOWS
To set the Verbose logging level:-
Start>Run>Regedit>Ok
Now navigate to the following key:-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \Software \Microsoft \Windows \CurrentVersion \SetupValue Name: LogLevelData Type: REG_DWORDValue (Hexadecimal): 0000FFFF
When finished, set it back to the original, Value (Hexadecimal): 20000000

2]File Copying Problem:-
It may happen due to virtual drive software.The solution is either to deactivate or to uninstall the software.

3]Cryptographic service Error:-

*Cryptographic service error
**Error 0x800710D9 Unable to read from or write to the database
To resolve the issue visit:-
You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=822798
Here try the 3rd option:-
Rename the Catroot2 folder, and then try again.
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.
At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each line:
net stop cryptsvcren %systemroot%\System32\Catroot2 catroot2oldnet start cryptsvcexit

Important: Do not rename the Catroot folder. The Catroot2 folder is automatically recreated by Windows, but the Catroot folder is not recreated if it is renamed.

4] Adaware Related Problems:-
Adware T.V. Media Program may prevent XP SP2 to install.
see:-Adware T.V. Media Program Removal Tool
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=886590

5]Automatic Restart Problem:- If the computer is set to automatically reboot after unrecoverable errors, you may have to hit F8 twice during boot-up to actually get to see the blue screen. There is an option in the advanced menu to suppress automatic rebooting once..
Your computer repeatedly restarts after you install Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=878474

6]Blue Screen of Death:-Nero InCD 4300 can cause IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL STOP: 0x0000000A .A very strange situation in which you can boot normally but can NOT boot in Safe mode.The workaround is to update InCD or to uninstall it.
Demystifying the 'Blue Screen of Death'
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/tips/techrep/bsod.mspx

7]Very Slow Boot:-To find out the exact cause use Msconfig tool.
How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP.

8]Explorer freezes or crashes when right-clicking a file:-This may be due to third party software that installs an incompatible codec.Either update Dr.DivX or uninstall it.

9]Device Malfunctioning:-Either update or uninstall/reinstall the software.

10]Installer Problem:-see:-
Update for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (KB885894)http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=36dd19df-bc5e-44b7-a339-6794d97994a2

11]Monitor and Picture Problem:-Either adjust through the preset buttons of the monitor,or,change the resolution,or,update/roll back the video driver.
Pictures do not appear as expected, or you receive an error message when you open an HTML file on a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=878461

Related Microsoft Articles:-
•
WinXP.jpg Programs that may behave differently in Windows XP Service Pack 2SP2 introduces a number of new features that help increase the performance and the security of your system. These changes also affect the operations and functionality of some programs. The programs that are listed in this article may experience issues after you upgrade to SP2.
•
Some programs seem to stop working after you install SP2 Some programs seem to stop working after you install SP2After you install SP2, some programs may seem not to work. By default, Windows Firewall is enabled and blocks unsolicited connections to your computer. This article discusses how to make an exception and enable a program to run by adding it to the list of exceptions.

•
How to use the Data Execution Prevention dialog box in SP2This article describes how to use the Data Execution Prevention dialog box when you receive the "A Windows security feature has detected a problem and closed this program" error message.


•
How to use the Security Alert dialog box when it appears on your screenWhen a program tries to use the resources or the ports on your system that are covered by Windows Firewall, a Security Alert dialog box appears. This article describes how to use the Security Alert dialog box when it appears on your screen.

Preparing for XP Service Pack 2 installation

Before you install XP SP2 check the followings:-
1]Visit your motherboard's manufacturer's website and download,install the latest BIOS.
2]Download and install latest hard disk controller drivers (RAID, SATA, others), graphics adapter drivers, and USB related driver.
3]Scan your system with latest virus definitioned antivirus software,adaware,spybot,search and destroy,CWShredder or HijackThis!
Run them in Safe mode.
Visit:-
Trend Micro - Free online virus Scan - Scan Now
www.lavasoft.de
www.spybot.info
www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn
4]Chkdsk drive to make sure there is no bad sector.
5]Disk defrgment the hard drive.
6]Hard disk Space:-

Hard disk space that is required if you install Windows XP SP2 from a shared folder on the network:-

Service pack
495 megabytes (MB) for the service pack

Working space
260 MB

Files that remove Windows XP SP2
200 MB

Total hard disk space required if the System Restore feature is enabled
895 MB 1060 MB peak usage during installation


Total hard disk space required if the System Restore feature is not enabled
395 MB 770 MB peak usage during installation

Hard disk space that is required if you install Windows XP SP2 from the Windows XP SP2 CD

495 megabytes (MB) for the service pack and an additional 500 MB for the service pack files that are stored in the %Windir%\Servicepackfiles folder

Working space 260 MB

Files that remove Windows XP SP2 200 MB

Total hard disk space required if the System Restore feature is enabled
1455 MB 1560 MB peak usage during installation

Total hard disk space required if the System Restore feature is not enabled
681 MB 1100 MB peak usage during installation


886358 Getting and Installing Microsoft Service Pack 2 (Support WebCast)
883733 Understanding Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (Support WebCast)
875364 Detailed Windows XP Service Pack 2 installation walkthrough
555185 Installation of Service Pack 2 on PCs with Prescott, Celeron D and Extreme Edition CPUs

Windows XP Installation

Windows XP Installation:-

Clean installation:-

Advantages of clean installation:-
1]nothing is carried from the previous operating system.It's totally fresh or virgin.
2]a smaller footprint on your hard drive.
3]a better stability as well as performance.

Disadvantages of clean installation:-
1]You need to back up all your important files before installation.
2]You have to reinstall all the programs.

Steps to Clean Install XP
1]Enter the BIOS and make the first boot preference from the CD-ROM drive and save the changes.
2]Restart the machine with Windows XP on inside the CD-ROM drive.
3]Press any Key when you see the prompt to 'Press Any Key'
4]Setup will start copying files, if you want to install any third-party or RAID drivers press F6
5]choose to 'enter setup' and skip the 'Repair' option.Press ENTER.
6]Press F8 to agree to the license.
7]you can choose to create a partition in the un-partitioned space.You can set a size for the partition. If you want to delete the previous partition select 'D'
8]If you have more that one partition or hard drive , make sure you are formatting the correct partition/drive.
9]It’s time for that important decision. FAT32 versus NTFS. The preferred choice is NTFS. It allows security features and stability that aren’t possible with FAT32.
10]Select 'F' and continue.
11]Watch the onscreen prompts but do not press a key when the “Press any key to boot CD” message appears.
12]From this point, you will follow the on screen prompts.Installation will continue, prompting you from time to time to supply some additional setup information. .Setup continues and eventually the computer will reboot.

Points to keep in mind:-

a]Your Time Zone-Time and Date

b]Network setup-
For home you will choose your workgroup,use the existing workgroup name, otherwise,keep the default.

For Pro, the same goes for Pro as suggested for Home, but you will have the choice to join a Domain, if you do not have a Domain or do not know leave blank.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310353

Regarding Product Activation:-
Technical Details on Microsoft Product Activation for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/evaluate/xpactiv.mspx

How to change the Windows XP Product Activation Key Code
http://labmice.techtarget.com/windowsxp/articles/changeID.htm

Windows XP Repair Installation
please go through:-
Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q315341

If the "Repair" option is missing:-
"If the option to Repair Install is NOT available and you continue with the install; you will delete your Windows folder, Documents and Settings folders. All Applications that place keys in the registry will need to be re-installed."[Thanks to michael stevens]

Possible Fix:-
Go to Recovery Console and type in:-bootcfg
Now retry repair installation.
The following is a suggestion from MVP Alex Nichol

"Reboot, this time taking the immediate R option, and if the CD letter is say K: give these commandsCOPY K:\i386\ntldr C:COPY K:\i386\ntdetect.com C:
(two other files needed - just in case)
1. Type: ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\boot.ini DEL C:\boot.ini
2. Type: BootCfg /Rebuild

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks

Windows XP Hardware Requirement

The requirements are similar to those of Windows 2000. So a good general guideline is to take a look at the operating system your machines are presently running and how well the machines are performing. For example, if your Windows 98 machines are already running sluggish, you shouldn’t even think about loading Windows XP onto them. However, if your workstations run Windows 2000 Professional smoothly, they probably won’t have trouble running Windows These are the minimum requirements for basic functionality.
The minimum hardware requirements for Windows XP Home Edition are:
•
Pentium 233-megahertz (MHz) processor or faster (300 MHz is recommended)
•
At least 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM (128 MB is recommended)
•
At least 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available space on the hard disk
•
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
•
Keyboard and a Microsoft Mouse or some other compatible pointing device
•
Microsoft advises that you’ll need a video adapter and monitor capable of displaying 800 x 600 or higher video resolution. The truth is, at 800 x 600 resolution, users may eventually have trouble with the Start menu. As you load programs onto the machine, the Programs section of the Start menu gets larger. When the menu gets too large to fit on the desktop, it starts leaving out menu choices, and it may eventually become impossible for a user to access some applications via the Start menu. I recommend running video at a minimum of 1024 x 768 resolution.
•
Sound card
•
Speakers or headphones

For more information about system requirements for Windows XP Home Edition, visit :-http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/evaluation/sysreqs.mspx

The minimum hardware requirements for Windows XP Professional are:
•
Pentium 233-megahertz (MHz) processor or faster (300 MHz is recommended)
•
At least 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM (128 MB is recommended)
•
At least 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available space on the hard disk
•
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
•
Keyboard and a Microsoft Mouse or some other compatible pointing device
•
Video adapter and monitor with Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution .I have discussed about it in detail earlier.
•
Sound card
•
Speakers or headphones

For more information about system requirements for Windows XP Professional, visit :-http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/sysreqs.asp

Make sure you have at least 256 MB of RAM, any less and your machine will lag due to use of the hard drive as memory. 512MB is preferred.

Maximum RAM Support For Windows XP:-
Windows XP Professional can handle up to 4GB of RAM and according to Microsoft, the same is true for XP Home.Most users run quite well with 1GB of RAM.
But all depends upon the motherboard's supporting capabilities.

Before You Increase RAM keep Two Things In Mind:-
1]Read the motherboard manual just to know how much RAM your motherboard can supprt.
2]Make sure that that all of your RAM is the same type from the same manufacturer.

More Information Here:-
Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility List
Microsoft Support Policy on Hardware Not On Windows HCL