broken media sharing

[richard127gm]

Hi all.

 

Hope someone can be bothered reading this long post, but it's become a nightmare...

 

I spent 2 whole days trying to un-install Comodo Internet Security (a common problem apparently). Anyway, couldn't un-install, then couldn't re-install so had to take the drastic step of using a custom removal tool which also meant hacking my registry. All seemed to be well and PC seemed back to normal. I installed Avast anti-virus and relied on that and Windows Firewall for protection. Then... I tried streaming media to my PS3: something that was never a problem before, but the PS3 can't see the PC, neither can any other devices that worked with it before. I've tried everything I can think of and I've listed some of what I've tried below. Has anyone got any ideas or am I screwed due to the hacking of my registry?

 

System

Acer 5542 laptop

4gb Ram

320 gb HDD

AMD Athlon II X2 processor

ATI Radeon HD 4200 Graphics

 

Things checked to solve problem

uPnP Device Host restarted and set to 'Automatic'

SSDP Discovery restarted and set to 'Automatic'

Windows media player network sharing service services restarted and set to 'Automatic'

Tried disabling Windows Firewall

Tried Stopping Avast shields

Ran 'scannow' from command prompt and several corrupted file messages were found, mostly to do with Net.framework

Re-installed NET.framework from Microsoft support

... None of this made any difference!

 

The PC can see the PS3 and other devices

Media sharing is switched on in WMPlayer

Tversity running but not seen by devices

MediaMonkey 4 media server running but not seen by devices

 

Still nothing. My PS3, Android phone and XBox simply don't see the PC

[isolatedvirus]

ok, a few things you could try. (BTW, thanks for posting what youve tried, this helps tremendously)

 

Ensure that windows recognizes the network as a home or private network, or it will deny access to it via the network (even if youre running services with the intent to share)

 

Double check that you have media sharing enabled, and that your media libraries are properly configured to allow access (Sometimes folder permissions prevent sharing)

Check your antivirus software (usually within the firewall settings) for anything that may be affecting (blocking) the communication. You an first try this by disabling the software completely, trying to connect to it with your PS3 and verifying it is working/not working.

 

I believe that the problem lies within the antivirus software, because you are saying that services (like media monkey) are not working, and that the device can see other network devices.

[richard127gm]

Hi

 

Windows does recognise the network as a home network. Homegroup checkbox for sharing is ticked and Pictures, Music, Videos and Printers are ticked for sharing. I've checked the shared folders and they are confirmed as shared.

 

I've tried turning off Windows Firewall and that doesn't make any difference

 

Short of un-installing Avast, all you can do is disable it's 'Shields' but this should turn off all it's protection/blocking

 

It is bizarre that the PC can see my devices (PS3, Android phone, XBox) as can my router, but I can't share any files.

 

Perhaps of further interest DLNA software such as Airdroid on my Android phone will allow access to any files on my PC and works as it did before (I use it to move files such as MP3 and Video, wirelessly to my phone). On the other hand streaming software such as Skifta won't see any media server resident on the PC.

 

I'm very confused!

[isolatedvirus]

i understand you dont want to leave the avast software with its shields 'disabled', but in order to determine if it is the culprit, you must disable it, and test to see if the devices can connect to your computer for streaming. Once you confirm you can/cant connect with it disabled, you can turn it back on. Another thing to check would be within the logs of the antivirus software, to see if anything on the lan is being blocked.

 

Also, i'd like you to ping your computer from another device, and let me know what the response is.

 

Edit:

 

can you also list what protocols both programs use. If airdroid can access your files but the other program cant, its possible its using a seperate protocol entirely. (And forgive me for asking you to start from the beginning to troubleshoot, i just want to be certain all the steps you performed before have the same result.)

Edited April 17, 2012 by isolatedvirus

[richard127gm]

Hi isolatedvirus

 

sorry, I didn't explain very well: I have actually disabled Avast but that made no difference. I just don't want to un-install it. I can't see anything in the Avast logs saying it is blocking the LAN.

 

Pinging is interesting as it times out on all 4 packets of sent data every time I try from another laptop

 

Airdroid doesn't tell what protocols it uses but you can find it's entry on Google Play (Android Market) here:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sand.airdroid&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5zYW5kLmFpcmRyb2lkIl0.

 

Skifta is DLNA certifed software. I guess it's a bit like TVersity

 

It looks from the ping that my PC is being blocked or is just plain broken. I have absolutely no problem connecting to the internet though.

[isolatedvirus]

okay, the result of the ping being blocked is indicative of something protecting your computer. It is still unclear if it is avast or windows firewall (my bet is on avast). Sometimes when antivirus software is disabled, it remains active as a firewall, but stops scanning for malware threats. I assisted a gentleman a few days ago that couldnt share his photos over his LAN to the rest of his family. He checked his antivirus but missed an option within it that caused the problem to occur. My point is, sometimes the antivirus software hides its firewall rules deep within itself. Short of remoting in myself to take a look, id like you to do a couple things to test this. The first step is optional, but i highly recommend it due to security reasons. Before you do this you should redownload the installer for avast.

 

Step 1: Unplug your DSL or CABLE modem. (Do not unplug or power off your router, you simply want to turn the internet off while maintaining connectivity within your ousehold between your devices on the LAN)

 

Step 2: Uninstall Avast, and reboot.

 

Step 3: Ping the computer from a different device. If you can now ping the computer, Avast was the culprit in blocking ICMP traffic.

 

Step 4: Attempt to stream using different devices that you would normally use. If this works all of a sudden, Avast is the culprit in blocking either Windows Shares or Media Streaming.

 

Step 5: From this point on, only continue if none of the previous steps have worked.)

Edited April 18, 2012 by isolatedvirus

[isolatedvirus]

Step 5: (Cont'd) Go to Start -> Run and type in CMD. When the command prompt appears type "ipconfig /release" hit enter, wait a couple of seconds and type "ipconfig /renew" hit enter again and this should renew your IP on your LAN. You will most likely receive the exact same IP, but in the off chance this works it will save you time. After you have completed this step, attempt to ping the compter and stream media from it. If it works, then it is possible an IP Conflict was causing the issue.

 

Step 6: Go to control panel (if the connection is wired, unplug the cable for a few seconds and plug it back in before doing this.) and click on the network and sharing center. Go to the network settings and change the network type from Home(Private) to Public. apply the changes and then change the network type back to Home ( Private ). This is in an attempt to see if perhaps a registry issue is the problem, and we are forcing windows to change how it views the network, and write that information in the registry. After you have completed this step, attempt pinging and streaming again.

 

Step 7: While still in the network and sharing center, go through Every option for sharing, and confirm that: File and folder sharing are turned on. Media Sharing is turned on. Password protected sharing is turned on (If you have it off, it just means people can connect to you and view files without having an account on the computer.) Also ensure that windows firewall is turned off, and after you have completed this step, attempt to ping and stream media from the computer.

 

Step 8: Reinstall Avast and attempt to ping and stream media. If it was working after you uninstalled avast, and is now not workin, this confirms that avast i in fact, the trouble maker. If avast has been confirmed and you still wish to use it, you can now begin to configure avast to restore functionality to your network services.

 

Please respond back with as much information as possible for each step performed. If this is not working, and you are positive your other antivirus is completely unintalled (The one you had before avast) then something is indeed broken within your registry. You can either reinstall at this point, or if you wish i can see if i can find the issue by remoting in with team viewer.If you do choose to go the teamviewer route, please note that is is not recommended to let total strangers remote into your comuter, for privacy and security reasons, and that if you do wish to do this you understand the risks involved. I myself will not do this unless you are present at the computer in question the entire time i am assisting you. If for some reason you need to walk away, notify me and i will disconnect, and reconnect when you are present.

[richard127gm]

Hi isolatedvirus

 

First of all thank you for the very detailed response. Here is the result, step-by-step

 

1) - 4)

Uninstalled Avast using their own uninstall utility. Tried pinging and streaming after re-boot but still no luck. I had actually rolled back the PC to a time before Avast had been installed, which didn't work, but I thought this was worth a try.

 

5) ipconfig/renew didn't work either. I had previously tried re-setting my router and then logged in to it to check there weren't any conflicts (which there weren't). This is also how I knew my router can see all my PC's and other devices and that they all had different IP's

 

6) I would never have thought of this and gave it a try to much anticipation. Alas, no good... still nothing

 

7) I have checked the sharing settings on everything so many times, I could do it in my sleep. Had one last run through though, but still nothing

 

8) Re-installed Avast which, to no surprise, as still nothing was working even when it wasn't installed, made no difference

 

Thank you so much for your help but I think I have to concede defeat. You've been very helpful but my I.T. training simply won't allow me to let you remote in to my PC. I'm sure you understand.

 

As this PC is now over two years old, the plan is to go and get a newer, faster laptop and bring that up to a level of install similar to this one and then flatten this one to factory settings.

 

The problem with this, as anyone who's done it knows, re-formatting a PC hard drive is simple enough and I do have all my install passwords and files backed up (twice)... It's the waiting for endless hours of Windows updates to install themselves when it realises it's so out of date. Hurrah for the Windows registry for breaking my PC and damn those updates!

 

Thanks again for all your help

[isolatedvirus]

no problem, just as a bit of info you can download offline patchers for windows. Its a huge download but its worth it as your machine is extremely vulnerable before the patches, and you can disconnect from the network and run the patcher which will actually save you lots of time.

 

Good luck with everything, and best wishes.