Linux and Windows XP

[zchas39]

i have only just started using linux and am trying to use samba to act as a file server on my client-server network.

i have managed to get samba to work (using swat) and i am able to connect to it using smbclient on computer running samba.

however, despite configuring windows xp on my other machine to recognise the workgroup, i cannot even ping the linux box

i have configured my nic but when i run ifconfig the ethernet card appears with a "Local Loopback" entry.. is this normal? and prevent the file server communicating with the other networked boxes?

can anyone help?

[chikn]

When you run ifconfig you should see your NIC also. And yes this will keep you from being on the network. What NIC is it? Whats in your /etc/modules.conf file and do you have PnP turned off in the BIOS?

[zchas39]

when i run ifconfig the NIC does appear at eth0, but underneath that there is this Local Loopback entry at lo.

The NIC i am using is made by Realtek, and the PnP setting is on in the bios settings. the module.conf looks normal, but i can't really be sure. what should i be looking for?

[chikn]

PnP should be off in the bios.

You should have something similar to

alias eth0 rtl8139 (if you have an 8139 realtek card)

Are you sure your cabling is not at fault and not the NIC setup?

[ 23 June 2002: Message edited by: chikn ]

[zchas39]

in the modules.conf the entry for eth0 is 8139too.

is it worth changing it?

the cable is ok, as i have tried it with the hub in place and with a single crossover cable.

[michaelk]

What distro are you running? Do you have a firewall running? This would prevent XP from seeing the linux box. If you can connect to the XP box from linux then the network card is operating. The Local loopback entry is normal.

[zchas39]

i have turned off the firewall on the xp box with no improvement. i have also noticed that pinging from the linux box to the nic on the linux box does reply, which shows that it is working ok.

do i have to add a user on samba to allow the xp box to connect? because i everytime i try and add a user, it won't let me. i don't really know why not.

[chikn]

If you cant ping the other boxes than you need to worry about that before samba. What IP address sheme you using on both boxes?

[zchas39]

as it turns out i have just managed to fix the problem. the xp box was set to an automatic config..... changing that has fixed the problem. damn windows.

anyway, thanks for all your help..