How to set up file sharing connection through wireless?

Okay so I have 2 computers.

1) Macbook Pro (running on Windows)
2) Windows desktop.

Both are running XP SP2.

My internet connection is through a wireless router on which both the computers work. The laptop is obviously wireless and the desktop has a ethernet cable running from the router into the network card.

My question is this:

How do I set up a file sharing network between these 2 computers on this setup I have here?

I figured the connections and cables are all good, because I get internet access on both computers, so it has to be something to do in XP, right?

Can anyone show me the light, please?

Cheers!

 

Both computers must be members of the same workgroup; then you must create an ad-hoc wireless network (it doesn't matter which computer you do it on). Also, you must make sure file sharing is on, and then that you have at least one shared folder on each computer. After that, you should be able to file share. However, if you have firewalls set up, they may prohibit file sharing, so make sure your firewalls are set to allow file sharing.

 

Alright, so can you guide me through making this ad-hoc wireless network? I already have one for my internet access. How do I make another one?

Also, I'd like to have both networks (internet + laptop to desktop) connected at the same time, how do I do that?

Cheers!

 

Um actually you can't have both internet and laptop to desktop connected at the same time.
And re-reading your op, I got the impression that your desktop doesn't have a wireless card? In that case, you will still be able, after ensuring that both computers are a member of the same workgroup (Windows default is WORKGROUP), to view the desktop from your laptop by opening 'Network' or 'My Network Places' as I think it is called in XP. Note you will still have to share some folders from your desktop in order to view them from you laptop. Also note, I don't you will be able to view your laptop from your desktop with this setup, but I stand for correction. Anyone?

 

I've tried creating a connection on my laptop, but I can only see myself in the Network Places. Both computers are on the same workgroup.

The setup is this:

 

File sharing between computer and notebook

1: Open Windows Explorer
2: Choose any folder(s) you want to share and right click on that folder and choose Sharing and Security
3: Check on Share this folder on the network and type in share name
4: Click on apply

You can do on other computer same thing

 

I did that and it's not showing up in My Network Places...

It was supposed to show up there, right?

 

Check firewall settings & the network's file sharing,network discovery, media sharing should be on
Also, your network should be customized to private

Let us know !

 

Firewall is set to allow, sharing is on, couldn't find any "network discovery" and "media sharing". The network is private.

Still can't see the desktop from my lapop, and vice-versa.

Edit: I figured my router should assign and bridge the appropriate IPs and all that stuff, but what's weird is that both my computers have the same IP address. ipchicken.com confirmed....

This has to be something from the router config, but I couldn't find anything..

Also the internet I'm getting requires me to "Automatically obtain" all the stuff in the network config page...

Thoughts?

 

okay if all else fails....use IP messenger ...it lets you chat, share files on computers with a common network

 

do you have a 3rd party security suite like norton or similar running? they're quite notorious for the exact problem you're describing.

 

If I remember correctly Norton 360 gives network file sharing too much problems have to disable some of it via 360 setting.

 

it's even worse than that. i setup a server for a friend's company and a week later they bought a new desktop for a new employee. he called me up cuz they couldn't connect to the server with new computer. turns out it was Norton. and this was even AFTER i told him to disable EVERYTHING in Norton. after he actually UNINSTALLED norton, everything worked perfectly. this was after we already went through the OSI stack troubleshooting; checking cables, router connections, TCP/IP settings, etc.

f Norton.

 

The best way to tell is to disable your firewalls while experimenting, so you don't have to take that variable into account.