Enable wireless file sharing between two computers

Question

I have recently purchased an Inspiron 6400 and I am trying to set up file/print sharing between this system and my old system (Compaq presario), both running Windows XP home edition.  I've run the network setup wizard on both and the Inspiron can see the compaq, and mount its file shares, with no problem.  (I also have a Linux system which can similarly mount from the Compaq.)   However, the compaq system can see the inspiron (in windows explorer within the workgroup), I can ping the inspiron by name (so the name->address translation is working fine), but when I do a 'net view \inspiron ' I get a 'System error 53'.  I've checked the firewall settings on the Inspiron and 'File and Print sharing' is enabled as an exception (I've even turned off the firewall and that didn't help).  If I try to browse to \inspiron in Windows explorer then I get an error saying that I may not have permission to view the resources and to contact my system administrator.  Same error if I browse to \inspiron\share1.   The linux system has similar problems mounting file shares from the Inspiron.   The entire network is wireless.  Not sure if that matters.  All the computers can access the internet over the wireless network with no problems (via a wireless router which has a wired connection to an ADSL modem).   Any idea what could be going on?  Is there a permission setting I need to change somewhere?

jmwills · Answer

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/default.mspx

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/howto/

http://www.theeldergeek.com/quick_guide_to_simple_file_sharing.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx

http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

On any computer running Windows XP with SP1, disable the Windows XP firewall. It will not allow File and Printer Sharing. On computers running Windows XP with SP2, make sure that the Windows XP firewall has File and Printer Sharing checked off on the Exceptions tab. If you are running any third party firewalls, like those provided by such programs as Zone Alarm, Norton Internet Security, or McAfee Security Suite, make sure they are configured to allow local network traffic

jmwills · Answer

Fantastic!!  Now, pick which firewall you want and turn the other one off.

newinspiron · Answer

Problem is now solved, thank you!   The issue was that I only looked at the Windows firewall, I also have McAfee virus checking and that also contained a firewall.  I changed the McAfee firewall to trust all hosts on the local network (all my systems connected to my local wireless router) and then everything started working fine.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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