Networking newbie needs help!

I am currently trying to set up a network between my desktop computer and my laptop computer. I have connected a wireless router to my internet router which in turn is connected to the ethernet port of my Desktop PC. My desktop and laptop can perfectly share an internet connection together.

However, while the Desktop is able to access my Laptop's shared folders, my Laptop cannot. The desktop appears when I click on "view workgroup computers" but when I click on it, it says that I "might not have access. Contact system administrator".

I plan to set up this network for internet sharing, file sharing and lan gaming. The latter two I have yet to accomplish. Please help.

Thanks in advance.

 

I had this problem with "wired" and Hubless networks (in our home) and I found no salvation for it.it seems as long as the conne\ is adhoc this problem presists but let's wait for another reply

 

ok, there's several things to check so i'll just list them:

1. both computers on same workgroup
2. sharing enabled and folders actually shared
3. if you have one xp pro box and one xp home box, try enabling "simple file sharing" on the pro box (i had to do this to get my pro notebook to talk to a home desktop)
4. create an account on the desktop with a username/password identical to what you have on the notebook

there's more, i'll post when i remember them

 

I have an XP Home and an XP Media Center. Would #3 still apply? Would you give me instrucions as to how I could enable "simple file sharing"?

Thanks.

P.S: #4 didn't work.

 

Great tips.
Also check your firewall!

 

I still have the same problem. Anyone else got any solutions?

I tried turning of the firewall. Didn't work,

I have a feeling that it has something to do with the "Simple File Sharing" check box that I can't see in m desktop on the Folder Options.

Any other suggestions? TY in advance.

 

If you tried what drumfu suggested and it still didn't work,it just might be that your check box is stopping the process. Try the setup all over again and see if that helps.Or try mapping a network drive letter.

 

Well if lan gaming isn't working, then it has to be a firewall problem or some components are not installed correctly. It was a rare case i had, but type dxdiag in start>run. Then select the network tab and see if DirectPlay is working correctly. Check that on both computers. If DirectPlay is not working correctly or missing, you have to re-install the OS system for that particular computer. Also try pinging the other computers, by typing "cmd" in "run." Then type ping "ip address". If you do not know your ip address type ipconfig /all in the same cmd window. If you ping the computers and the packets are lost, then it has to be a firewall or some application misconfiguration blocking access.

 

sorry, forgot about this thread

ok,

simple file sharing (if the option is in MCE, i don't know for sure) is found here:

windows explorer > tools > folder options > view > scroll to the bottom

again, not sure if MCE has this option

not sure what you meant by #4 didn't work, but according to MS, it's a mandatory step; you want the same username/password on the machine that you're trying to get into; i.e., the machine you're trying to connect to.

any luck?

EDIT: here's another one to add to the list (sorry, this isn't exactly "correct" fault isolation), make sure your router allows for communication between machines on the LAN. my router lets you control this and is set to "allow" by default, but you never know so it's worth checking.

 

From my experience, that is not true, as I have multiple OS's connecting to each other with very different configurations and usernames.

 

ok the one thing that was stopping me was that I had to set my firewall on both systems to trust each others IP addy. I am using McAfee but I am sure it is the same with many others. I do know that there is no option in the world to set ZoneAlarm to trust ip addys so you may need to look at avast or something else.

 

i agree, i'm just saying what MS is saying.

 

I pinged each computer using the other, both worked with no packets loss. I used the DxDiag test and it worked but my laptop still can't access the Desktop. I can't play over LAN as well.

I'm starting to believe that it is a firewall problem. I have a Trend-Mico PC-cillin on my Desktop and Window's firewall with AVG anti-virus on my laptop. What should I do to make them "trust" each other?