Network Setup Problem

Question

Hello! I'm having a problem setting up my home network between my desktop and laptop.  I have a router which connects both to the internet (Linksys Wireless-B).  The laptop is a new Dell Inspiron 1100 and the desktop is an older gateway.  Both computers are running Windows XP, but the desktop is Pro edition, the laptop is Home edition. I went to Dell's knowledge base and followed the steps to set up a basic wireless network (linked below.  Not sure if these are the correct instructions, but I'm having problems finding them.)   I did these steps on the laptop, not the desktop.  (The desktop I just did steps 1, 2 and 5)  All steps went very well, the correct windows popped up, the proper information entered and set - Until the last step.  When I tried to view my network places, each computer comes up with this error: 'xxxx is not accessable.  You might not have permission to use this network resource.  Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permission.  The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available.' (xxxx is  not the actual the workgroup name,  but the workgroup is the same on both computers) Does anyone have any ideas, tips or links that may help?  I would greatly appreciate any assistance.  Thanks! Steps I followed for setup: http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=1081569 DM498 dm498@aol.com Message Edited by DM498 on 01-04-2004 10:02 AM

volcano11 · Answer

Make sure that the Windows XP built-in firewall is not enabled on both machines. Steve

maggie99635 · Answer

Are you using simple file sharing on the Pro machine? http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm If you had Home on both machines it would be simpler.  http://www.wown.com/articles_tutorials/wxpsimsh.html  Maybe the simplest thing to do would be to enable the guest account on each machine make sure it is passworded.

DM498 · Answer

I've disabled it on both.  No go. Thanks.

DM498 · Answer

Neither suggestion works.  I may just have to format and go with Win XP Home on both machines. Thanks.

Gen-An · Answer

@DM498 wrote:

Neither suggestion works. I may just have to format and go with Win XP Home on both machines.

Thanks.

Before you do anything rash, pull up a command prompt and run ipconfig /all on both machines and tell me what the node type is on both.

DM498 · Answer

Gen-An, The desktop node says 'unknown' (that's the XP pro machine), the laptop says 'hybrid'. I suppose the 'unknown' is the problem.  I would really appreciate any assistance.  Thanks! DM

Gen-An · Answer

Can your machines access each other by typing in the IP address of the other in Explorer's address bar (like this: \ipaddress)?

DM498 · Answer

NO. Not certain I'm doing this correctly, networking is new to me. I used the 'ipconfig /all' command on each computer and used the IP listed on the laptop to try and communicate from desktop using the IP as a web addy. (\\xxx.xxx.x.xxx)

Is that correct? I get a message saying windows could not find it and I should check spelling. I did disable the firewall on the laptop for this test.

I think I might just go with the format and install XP home. There's really nothing major on the desktop that I'd be concerned about losing.

If you have other thoughts on the matter, I would be grateful, but the time you have already invested is very appreciated. Thanks!

Gen-An · Answer

@DM498 wrote:

NO. Not certain I'm doing this correctly, networking is new to me. I used the 'ipconfig /all' command on each computer and used the IP listed on the laptop to try and communicate from desktop using the IP as a web addy. (\\xxx.xxx.x.xxx)

Is that correct? I get a message saying windows could not find it and I should check spelling. I did disable the firewall on the laptop for this test.

I think I might just go with the format and install XP home. There's really nothing major on the desktop that I'd be concerned about losing.

If you have other thoughts on the matter, I would be grateful, but the time you have already invested is very appreciated. Thanks!

What were the IP addresses of each? I need to see if they're in the same subnet or not.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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