file sharing help

Smeagol · 09-06-2007, 05:53 PM

I had trouble with a modem that caused me to reset a lot of my settings. In the process, the IP address for the only wired computer on my network was changed. Now, my various networked PCs show that they are connected on the network map. But when I try to exchange files I get a message that says my computers don't see each other.

I think this is a quick fix, but after searching here and using help on my Vista PC, I can't figure out where I need to go to and what to do to fix this problem. Any help will be very appreciated.

Smeagol · 09-06-2007, 06:42 PM

Sorry, I meant to say that the IP address for my router was changed. Is there a field that I need to update with the new IP?

johnwill · 09-07-2007, 08:01 AM

Please supply the following info, exact make and models of the equipment please.

The name of your ISP and country of residence.
Make/model of the broadband modem. If dial-up, please specify.
Make/model of the router (if any).
Connection type, wired, wireless.
If wireless, encryption used, (WEP, WPA, WPA2, etc.)
Make/model of network card or wireless adapter.
Make/model of your computer (motherboard if home-built).
Version and patch level of Windows on all affected machines, i.e. XP-Home (or XP-Pro), SP2, Vista, etc.

Also, please give an exact description of your problem symptoms, including the exact text of any error messages.

Smeagol · 09-08-2007, 03:34 PM

ISP: Earthlink, USA
Modem: Zyxel P-600
Router: Netgear rangemax WNR834M
MainPC is wired to router, laptop and family PCs are connected wirelessly
Encryption: WPA-PSK(TKIP) + WPA2-PSK(AES)
Laptop, not sure of wireless card
family PC, wireless connector is Netgear PCI adapter WN311T
Main PC is Dell Dimension C521 running Vista
Laptop is HP Pavillion dv9220us running Vista
family PC is Dell Dimension 8100 running XP

Can ping Laptop and Family PC from Main PC
Cannot ping Main PC from Laptop or Family PC
Can ping Family PC from Laptop
Can ping Laptop from Family PC

Can access internet from all computers

When trying to access/share files that are on MainPC from laptop, get the message "Windows cannot access \\MAINPC".

Cannot print from Laptop or FamilyPC as printer is connected to MainPC.

johnwill · 09-09-2007, 12:17 PM

OK, the fact that you can't ping your Main PC indicates there's a firewall that's not configured correctly on that machine.

Smeagol · 09-10-2007, 06:41 PM

I'm using McAfee firewall on the MainPC. When I go to the "manage the network" area, it shows the Laptop and Family computers as question marks with their IP address but nothing more. When you click on either of those images on the McAfee network map, it states that the McAfee network agent needs to be installed on the other machines. I didn't have to do that in the past when I originally set up the network.

Smeagol · 09-11-2007, 09:37 AM

I ended up un-installing McAfee and I'm just using Windows firewall in Vista on my Main PC. Let me know if you think that I need to get ZoneAlarm or some other firewall. (as best I can tell there are not yet any good free firewall downloads for Vista).

johnwill · 09-11-2007, 11:33 AM

Vista has a decent built-in firewall, most folks don't need anything else.

09-06-2007, 05:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Smeagol Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 10 OS: XP and Vista	file sharing help I had trouble with a modem that caused me to reset a lot of my settings. In the process, the IP address for the only wired computer on my network was changed. Now, my various networked PCs show that they are connected on the network map. But when I try to exchange files I get a message that says my computers don't see each other. I think this is a quick fix, but after searching here and using help on my Vista PC, I can't figure out where I need to go to and what to do to fix this problem. Any help will be very appreciated.

09-06-2007, 06:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Smeagol Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 10 OS: XP and Vista	Re: file sharing help Sorry, I meant to say that the IP address for my router was changed. Is there a field that I need to update with the new IP?

09-07-2007, 08:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,603 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: file sharing help Please supply the following info, exact make and models of the equipment please. The name of your ISP and country of residence. Make/model of the broadband modem. If dial-up, please specify. Make/model of the router (if any). Connection type, wired, wireless. If wireless, encryption used, (WEP, WPA, WPA2, etc.) Make/model of network card or wireless adapter. Make/model of your computer (motherboard if home-built). Version and patch level of Windows on all affected machines, i.e. XP-Home (or XP-Pro), SP2, Vista, etc. Also, please give an exact description of your problem symptoms, including the exact text of any error messages. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

09-08-2007, 03:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
Smeagol Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 10 OS: XP and Vista	Re: file sharing help ISP: Earthlink, USA Modem: Zyxel P-600 Router: Netgear rangemax WNR834M MainPC is wired to router, laptop and family PCs are connected wirelessly Encryption: WPA-PSK(TKIP) + WPA2-PSK(AES) Laptop, not sure of wireless card family PC, wireless connector is Netgear PCI adapter WN311T Main PC is Dell Dimension C521 running Vista Laptop is HP Pavillion dv9220us running Vista family PC is Dell Dimension 8100 running XP Can ping Laptop and Family PC from Main PC Cannot ping Main PC from Laptop or Family PC Can ping Family PC from Laptop Can ping Laptop from Family PC Can access internet from all computers When trying to access/share files that are on MainPC from laptop, get the message "Windows cannot access \\MAINPC". Cannot print from Laptop or FamilyPC as printer is connected to MainPC.

09-09-2007, 12:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,603 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: file sharing help OK, the fact that you can't ping your Main PC indicates there's a firewall that's not configured correctly on that machine. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

09-10-2007, 06:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Smeagol Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 10 OS: XP and Vista	Re: file sharing help I'm using McAfee firewall on the MainPC. When I go to the "manage the network" area, it shows the Laptop and Family computers as question marks with their IP address but nothing more. When you click on either of those images on the McAfee network map, it states that the McAfee network agent needs to be installed on the other machines. I didn't have to do that in the past when I originally set up the network.

09-11-2007, 09:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
Smeagol Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 10 OS: XP and Vista	Re: file sharing help I ended up un-installing McAfee and I'm just using Windows firewall in Vista on my Main PC. Let me know if you think that I need to get ZoneAlarm or some other firewall. (as best I can tell there are not yet any good free firewall downloads for Vista).

09-11-2007, 11:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,603 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: file sharing help Vista has a decent built-in firewall, most folks don't need anything else. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience