Problems with home network

4 Aug 2006 2:47 AM

Randy

Hello,
I having some beginer problems with networking two Windows XP Pro PC's. I
have a desktop harwired into my 108g router, and a laptop on the wireless. I
used the "Network Setup Wizard" to set up the network and workgroup.
Everything worked out fine, both computers are on the internet, no problems.
From the desktop, if I go to My Network places, both computers show up. I
can access the Shared Docs folders on both computers no problems. But, from
the laptop, when i go to My Network Places, the only computer that shows up
is the laptop. I dont understand this because I have a printer installed on
the desktop and I made it a shared printer and I have no problem accessing
the printer from the laptop. I just installed a network printer on the
laptop. I didn't even need any drivers, it pulled them from the desktop. I
think I have a problem with Privilege settings on the computers. I dont
think the laptop has the privileges it needs.

Also, how do you make it so the entire computer is shared? This is just a
home network so there's no security issues between the units. If I want to
access the desktop's cd-rom or a certain folder on the hard drive with the
laptop, I want to be able to. HOWEVER! I only want it to be this way if I'm
conned to my network at home. In other words, I want everything shared at
home, but say I go to Panera Bread and get on there wireless internet, I dont
want other people connected through that router to be able to access my
machine. Is this possible?

PS- If it's easier to communicate with me, just email me at
shapiro***@gmail.com

4 Aug 2006 3:23 AM

Chuck

On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 19:47:01 -0700, Randy <Ra***@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote:

Show quoteHide quote

>Hello,
>I having some beginer problems with networking two Windows XP Pro PC's. I
>have a desktop harwired into my 108g router, and a laptop on the wireless. I
>used the "Network Setup Wizard" to set up the network and workgroup.
>Everything worked out fine, both computers are on the internet, no problems.
>From the desktop, if I go to My Network places, both computers show up. I
>can access the Shared Docs folders on both computers no problems. But, from
>the laptop, when i go to My Network Places, the only computer that shows up
>is the laptop. I dont understand this because I have a printer installed on
>the desktop and I made it a shared printer and I have no problem accessing
>the printer from the laptop. I just installed a network printer on the
>laptop. I didn't even need any drivers, it pulled them from the desktop. I
>think I have a problem with Privilege settings on the computers. I dont
>think the laptop has the privileges it needs.
>
>Also, how do you make it so the entire computer is shared? This is just a
>home network so there's no security issues between the units. If I want to
>access the desktop's cd-rom or a certain folder on the hard drive with the
>laptop, I want to be able to. HOWEVER! I only want it to be this way if I'm
>conned to my network at home. In other words, I want everything shared at
>home, but say I go to Panera Bread and get on there wireless internet, I dont
>want other people connected through that router to be able to access my
>machine. Is this possible?
>
>PS- If it's easier to communicate with me, just email me at
>shapiro***@gmail.com

Randy,

Generally, what you ask here you should expect to see answered here.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#Waiting>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#Waiting

Now, if you have two computers, both running XP Pro, you need to disable Simple
File Sharing. Advanced File Sharing gives much more ability to share content.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Advanced>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Advanced

If you have 3 computers, and not all computers can see the others, you probably
have a security component problem. One of the most common would be a
misconfigured or overlooked personal firewall, or other security component.
There are several other possibilities too, and any might be the cause of your
problem. This is always a possibility when a wireless laptop is involved. Read
this article with an open mind.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html

To let the laptop participate in file sharing, you'll have to make exceptions in
firewall settings. With Windows XP SP2, you'll have Windows Firewall, and
you'll deselect "Don't allow exceptions". When you leave your home network,
either turn off the WiFi radio, or reselect "Don't allow exceptions".

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.