Stuck setting up home network

[raycyrx]

XP Desktop wire connected to wireless router.
W-2000 Laptop receiving wireless internet.
Everything works so far with the laptop getting on the web.

Now I want to get the two to talk to each other and Map Network Drives.

When I run the network setup wizard with the XP machine, the 2000 laptop says the setup disk won't work with that OS.

I've set up work groups on both called MShome. I can SEE one from the other, but I don't know how to get them to talk (access files, allow printer access through the desktop... etc.) The problem is I can't map a network drive. When I go to the computer name within the map network drive wizard, there are no folders, directories, or drives after the computer name for me to map to.

[pctechmike]

On either one of the computers, any folder you want to share, right-click, go to properties, and share the folder- for testing purposes, give everone access. Then try to map a network drive- and see what happens. As long as the two are in the same workgroup, and have different names, and have a shared folder on each- you shouldn't have a problem.

[raycyrx]

Tried that and got nowhere.

[macten]

Make sure all 3rd party software firewalls are down. Make sure XP's firewall is down.

[Anemos]

At the properties field of each folder there is also one more tab which is called security. You have to set the permissions there as well. Still, you don't need to close windows' native firewall. Just add file and print sharing to the exceptions field.

Please post the results.

[chauffeur2]

Hello raycryx, Welcome to TSF!

Try this freeware program. (Click on the coloured link.)

Post back with how you fared.

Kind regards,

[macten]

I had the same problem. W2000 Pro for desktop and XP Pro on laptop. I couldn't share files till I shut down XP's built-in firewall....

[raycyrx]

Here's where I'm at.

I added the laptop to the desktop's trusted computers/networks Zone Alarm settings. That allowed me to connect and map drives between the two computers.

Now all that's left is to get my printer enabled to the laptop.
It's connected to the desktop (no network hookup capability) via USB. The laptop SEES the printer but doesn't communicate with it. In other words, when I "Add Printer" and use the network printer option, the laptop is able to see and select the printer and recognize that it is connected to the desktop. But when I go to run diagnostics or try to print... it gives me a communication error.

[chauffeur2]

check that the printer has the same 'name' on both computers in the sharing section.

[raycyrx]

They do... EXCEPT...
On the desktop it's called, "EPSON Stylus Photo R300 Series"
On the laptop it's called, "EPSON Stylus Photo R300 Series on desktopname"

[johnwill]

Turn off any firewalls for debugging. If the firewall is the problem, you'll have to configure it to allow access to "trusted zone" addresses. Note that some firewalls must be completely uninstalled to stop them from affecting your networking.

PING each computer by IP address, and if successful, PING by name. You can obtain the IP address of a computer by opening a command prompt (DOS window) and typing IPCONFIG. This should work for any Windows version. A failure here needs to be corrected before you go any farther.

Check your Services are Started on all PCs: Workstation, DHCP Client, DNS Client, Server, TCP/IP Netbios helper, Computer Browser.

All computers should be in the same workgroup for computer browsing to function properly. File & Print Sharing has to be enabled on any computer you wish to share files or printers from. You also need to actually share the resource in question from My Computer, right click on the drive/printer/folder, and select sharing.

If you encounter difficulties accessing computers that are visible in Network Neighborhood, make sure the computer being accessed has an account with the same name/password as the system connecting to it uses to login.

While the default NetBIOS setting is correct for normal network configurations, it's possible for it to be altered, and it costs nothing to make sure it's correct. NETBIOS over TCP/IP must be enabled for normal network browsing.