network connection

Question

I have a home network setup. I have a dimension 8300 desktop and inspiron laptop (new). I cannot get them so they recognize each other so I can share files the system worked fine with my older dell laptop but I just can,t get this to work. I have run the wizards and jumpedthrough all the hoops but cannot figure it out. The desktop is hooked to the broadband modem and the wireless router is also connected to the modem. I can acess the internet just fine with the laptop. The wizard tells me that there is another machine with the same name on the network but I cannot find this problem anywhere. I can ping the desktop with the laptop but can,t ping the laptop from the desktop. Any ideas what I am doing wrong? There are no hardware conflicts visable on device manager in either computer.

MRF4700 · Answer

Your problem sounds indicative of a misconfigured firewall. Check all firewalls that they're allowing for network traffic.

mombodog · Answer

Both PC's must be of the same workgroup name,   XP Home for example is set to MSHOME as its network name and XP pro is set to WORKGROUP, they should both be set to WORKGROUP. Also you have to have a folder (preferably 'shared documents' on XP machines) on each machine with sharing enabled or you will not be able to share anything anyway.

Mary G · Answer

Your setup is incorrect. The cable modem connects to the router only. Do not connect the computer directly to the modem. Both computers connect to the router, either directly with ethernet cable (good for desktop) or wirelessly (laptop) with wireless cards. Make sure the cable is connected to the Modem port on the router. Think of the router as a splitter and if both computers are not connected through the router, they cannot 'see' each other.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

network connection

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