Sharing Files

If any of the computers are running Windows XP, make sure that the XP built-in firewall is disabled, as it will prevent file and printer sharing.  If you are running any third party firewall software either disable it until the problem is solved, or see the documentation for the firewall to see how to configure it to allow local network access.  Maker sure that file and printer sharing is enabled on both computers.  If you are running different versions of Windows on the network, check the following:

1. Make sure all computers are in the same workgroup and have unique names on the network

2. Make sure all firewalls are disabled while setting things up.  In particular make sure that Windows XP's built-in firewall is disabled on the local area connection.

3. Make sure the NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled on all computers. 

4. Make sure the drives and folders have been designated as shared.

5. If the Windows 98/ME computers have Client for Microsoft Networks as the primary network logon, make sure that the proper username and password are entered when these machines boot.  If Windows logon is the primary network logon, make sure that either a null password is used or that the correct password is used when booting these computers.  Hitting the cancel button at the password prompt may prevent network connectivity.

If this doesn't help, tell us which version of Windows is running on each computer and the steps taken from above that you have tried in attempting to solve the problem.

Steve

As a follow up to Volcano11's excellent suggestions, I'll add a few additional thoughts.

6.  In Windows 98 and Windows ME, disable Browse Master, as this will often cause that computer to think it is in charge of the network and either not show on other computers, not show other computers on it, or deny access to shared resources.  You can disable this from the Network Neighborhood or My Network Places Properties page.  Under the components window, File and Printer sharing should be the last entry.  Highlight it, click Properties, and change the Browse Master setting to Disabled, click OK until back to the Desktop and reboot the computer.

7.  In Windows XP, make sure that you are sharing individual folders, and not just the entire hard drive.  Windows XP really hates sharing the entire hard drive, and often gives permissions errors.  If you share the individual folders you want shared, Windows XP gets all happy and will let you access them.

8.  Try pinging the IP address of the first computer from the computer, and vice versa.  If the pings are successful, try accessing the computer by IP address instead of name or through the Network Window.  You can do this either by using the Search feature and enterring the IP address, or from the Run box type in \\ipaddress and click OK (substitute the IP address of the computer for the word ipaddress).

9.  It seems obvious, but make sure File and Printer sharing is enabled on both computers. 

If all else fails, reply back with more specific information including the Operating Systems, IP addresses, and adapter types involved, along with which of these steps you completed successfully, or if any of them failed.

Thanks folks.  Unfortunately, you'll have to walk me through how to do some of the stuff you recommended.  It would have helped if I would have given you more detail.  I'm on Windows XP for both the desktop & laptop.  I have Symantec Personal Firewall on the destop and Antivirus on both. 

1) I know how to disable Symantec; however, how do I disable Windows XP firewall?  I have not installed the new Service Pack.  After I set up sharing do I enable the XP & Symantec firewalls again?

2) When I look for the laptop in the desktop's workgroup, it's not there.  However, both the laptop and the desktop are listed in laptop's workgroup.  Should and how do I add the laptop to the desktop's workgroup?

3) How do enable file and printer sharing?

4) How do I find the IP address for the computers? 

Sorry; I know this is basic stuff but I'm not up to speed on this.

Thanks.

1) I know how to disable Symantec; however, how do I disable Windows XP firewall?  I have not installed the new Service Pack.  After I set up sharing do I enable the XP & Symantec firewalls again? To disable the Windows XP firewall, go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Inernet Connections > Network Connections, then double click on your network connection.  In the porperties box, click on the Advanced tab, then remove the checkmark next to "Protect my computer and network....."   You do not want to enable the Windows XP firewall on this connection after you are set up.  It will block all file and printer sharing.  After SP2 is loaded it can be configured to allow file and printer sharing, but you would probably not want to use it even then if you have a more robust firewall installed.  As for the Symantec firewall, you will need to consult the documentation that came with the product to see how to configure it to allow local network traffic. 

2) When I look for the laptop in the desktop's workgroup, it's not there.  However, both the laptop and the desktop are listed in laptop's workgroup.  Should and how do I add the laptop to the desktop's workgroup?  If the Windows XP firewall is enabled, you will not see the workgroup computers that are protected by the XP firewall.  Similarly, if the Symantec firewall is enabled, you will have to configure it to allow local network traffic before computers protected by that firewall will show up.  To make sure that all computers are in the Same workgroup, go to Start > Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > System.  Click on Computer Name.  You will see the workgroup name listed there.  If you need to change it, click on the Change button. 

3) How do enable file and printer sharing?  Go back to the network connections box, double click on your network connection.  In the properties box, if file and printer sharing is not listed, click on Install then Service, and Add File and Printer Sharing.

4) How do I find the IP address for the computers?  Go to Start > Run and type cmd then click on OK.  In the command prompt window, type ipconfig /all (note the space between the g and the /)then hit the Enter key. You will see the IP address of all network adapters.

Steve

Message Edited by volcano11 on 08-23-2004 08:13 PM