File/Printer Sharing: Please help

Question

New wireless laptop Pentium M running Windows Media Center;  three year old Pentium 4 desktop running Windows XP Service Pack 2.  Linksys Wireless-G Router.  I have read through previous postings and most are beyond my expertise.  I have successfully connected to the internet (highspeed cable connection) with both computers.  I have run the network wizard and have named the network on both computers.  I have disabled Windows Firewall on both computers.  I have read everything I can find and tried everything suggested.  Problems:  1) I have been unable to share files although I have marked several files for sharing.  2) I have been unable to access the printer (from the laptop) which is plugged into the desktop .  3) I can access the internet from the laptop through Internet Explorer but not through Firefox.  4) I cannot access ITunes music store from the laptop.  5) I cannot connect to America OnLine from the laptop.  I have called both Linksys and Dell and neither will help.  Dell referred me to a paid service which I have not subscribed to.  Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

cktech · Answer

Do not feel bad. I am quite experienced and am having the same problem with dlink and 2 wired systems. I suspect McAfee, but disabled.. and still nothing. The other problem can usually be if there isn't a windows password set up on either computer. It will not let the other user log in.

I also have not used the Simple File Sharing, which is found in explorer under tools, folder options, view at the very bottom in XP. With the new multimedia version of windows.. and home edition, things are different. But those are things I would try. Setting windows passwords on the users who are sharing and/or will share. It should ask you for login user name and password when you click on the my network places and the workgroup, (which should be the same also).

If I discover anything about the multimedia version that's wierd or McAfee.. I'll post back

Claramc · Answer

@cktech wrote:

Do not feel bad. I am quite experienced and am having the same problem with dlink and 2 wired systems. I suspect McAfee, but disabled.. and still nothing. The other problem can usually be if there isn't a windows password set up on either computer. It will not let the other user log in.

I also have not used the Simple File Sharing, which is found in explorer under tools, folder options, view at the very bottom in XP. With the new multimedia version of windows.. and home edition, things are different. But those are things I would try. Setting windows passwords on the users who are sharing and/or will share. It should ask you for login user name and password when you click on the my network places and the workgroup, (which should be the same also).

If I discover anything about the multimedia version that's wierd or McAfee.. I'll post back

Thanks, cktech, for taking time to help. A couple of weeks ago I received my daily newsletter from Kim Komando. I am enclosing a portion of the e-mail that solved my problems. It was so simple to do.

"You can solve most connection problems by putting your home network into ZoneAlarm's Trusted Zone. That will stop it from blocking your other networked computers and your router.

In ZoneAlarm, click Firewall on the left-hand menu. Select the Zones tab. You'll see a list including your home network. In fact, it might be the only thing listed. Under the Zone column, click the row that lists your network. Select Trusted. Then click the Apply button at the bottom of the window."

cktech · Answer

I have read lots.  Thanks.  I will download the ZoneAlarm since it is free.  The mcafee has firewall and it had my network and all the computers in an IP range, including the router listed as 'trusted sites and Ip's'   so who knows what gives.  I am going to bring a computer that has none of this firewall or mcafee and see what I can see on the LAN.  It is all wired.  I also read that I was correct that you have to disable simple file sharing.    I also read were you don't have to have passwords for users to do file sharing.  At least with my one XP and my one 2000, I had to set up passwords and when I accessed thru my networks, it prompted me for a user and password.. otherwise I just received an error. Does anyone know if setting 'everyone' will resolve this having to set up a password on both systems, or is this an xp-2000 sharing problem?  Does anyone know if mcafee's security center is as atrocious as Norton's.  Someone said you are lazy to not configure the firewall correctly.. but I have tried everything and these tools simply lock out my users on the LAN from everything.. The only thing that works is disabling the firewalls.  I have not had one client behind physical firewall EVER have an attack in all my 25 years of consulting.  Only emails opened by error or downloads from a website or website 'visits' download spyware that is horrible.  This can happen even in the best of controls if the user does not pay attention or know what they are answering!!!  These tools help, but we are still human.

madampoo · Answer

Don't know if this related, installed McAfee firewall for free trial thru comcast. After installing ,experienced problems with lock up. Called dell and was told to remove memory and reinstall them because ac power would not work. Thought it was the computer but after remove McAfee firewall, the computer is running back to normal again. Think i'll just stay with windows firewall.When you are computer stupid(me), it makes it easier

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

File/Printer Sharing: Please help

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