Ubuntu (7.04) doesn't find WinXP machine

[David Vincent]

Jürgen Römer wrote:
> I have switched to Ubuntu and I'm happy with it. The only problem is the 
> network. I have one Vista-computer, 2 XP:s and one Win98. The network is 
> working through an ADSL modem/router. With only Windows-workstations the 
> network worked fine (except Vista). The IP-numbers are given 
> automatically by the broadband operator.
>
> Now that I have an Ubuntu-workstation, it cannot find the other ones 
> (occasionally it finds Vista, usually not). I have configured Samba 
> according to instructions. I'm able to find the Ubuntu from the XP:s 
> with the IP-number (which varies at least daily) , but I can't see the 
> Ubuntu with the others in the "workgroup" window. From Ubuntu I can't 
> find any other workstations no matter how and in which way I try.
>
> In the Windows-workstations practically everything is shared. Ubuntu 
> firewall is configured according to instructions.
>
> It seems that the network is working on some level (XP finds Ubuntu with 
> IP-number), but it is far from working satisfactorily.
>
> What might be the problem?
>   

Are your Windows firewalls turned on?  Turn off any firewalls on your 
workstations including the one on Ubuntu and see how you fare.  With a 
router between you and the Internet you shouldn't need the firewalls on 
your internal network.  You may want to check that your router is 
configured securely before doing that though.  (How's your confidence?)

Can you log in to the router and set DHCP reservations?  If you can then 
you can edit each machine's HOSTS file with their new non-changing IP 
addresses to make the name-resolution easier (watch out for typos!).

-d