Networking problems between Desktop and laptop

Question

hi,   I am having problems networking my desktop Dim 4600 and my Inspiron 510m lap top. I have used the network setup wizard on both the laptop and desktop. This allows me to access the desktop shared file from the laptop, but i am unable to access the laptop shared files from the desktop.  I have no problems printing from the laptop via the desktop (printer wired to desktop). I am using a Belkin CAT 5 R7J304 cable.   Also what equipment would i need to access my broadband internet from the laptop. The laptop has wireless capability, dont think my desktop does though. At the moment I am running broadband through a USB ASDL modem linked to my desktop. I would like to access the internet via the laptop from another room.   I would be grateful for any help/info   Thanks   Mark

volcano11 · Answer

On the laptop, make sure that file and printer sharing is enabled and that you have selected drives or folders as shared resources. You also have to make sure that any firewalls are properly configured to allow file and printer sharing. 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 Center, make sure they are configured to allow local network traffic.

As for sharing the broadband internet connection, you have many choices. The best way would be to purchase and install a cable/dsl wireless router. Wireless routers can connect up to 4 computers by a wired ethernet connection and many more by a wireless connection. Since you present dsl modem connects by USB, it makes it more difficult, since nearly all wireless routers on the market today require an ethernet connection between the modem and the router. Routers that can connect by USB are expensive and very difficult to find. If you choose to go with a router, you would have replace you modem with one that can connect by ethernet.

An alternative would be to keep your present modem and install a wireless network card in the desktop computer. You would then run the wireless network cards in both the laptop and the desktop in ad-hoc mode and enable Windows built-in Internet Connection Sharing on the desktop. Internet Connection Sharing is less stable than using a router, requires that the desktop computer be powered on whenever the laptop wants an internet connection, and limits the numer of computers that can share the internet connection to just one.

Steve

m.ewbank · Answer

I am running XP SP2 on both the laptop and desktop. The file sharing is checked/activated in the fire wall menu. When I connect the network cable a message appears on both the laptop and desktop saying that connectivity is limited or there is no connectivity at all.

Under 'My Network places' on the laptop there are the two files for the shared docs on the laptop and on the desktop under a local network heading.

When I select ' My Network Places' on the desktop i get the following message ' to help protect my computer, windows firewall has blocked the UPnp software from receiving info from the network.........do i want to open the windows firewall port so software can detect UPnp devices? yes/no' This has only just come up, nver before. Usually when i select ' my network i just get some internet icons and no shared folders- not even the shared folder on the desktop

The connection seems ok working from the laptop, as i am having no problems file sharing, when i try to 'repair' the connection from the desktop it says the IP address could not be 'renewed'

Could the IP issue be the cause of the problem??

Mark

m.ewbank · Answer

I had previously set up the LAN for XBox live, would i need to re-configure my desktop to recognise the different hardware on the LAN ??   Mark

Doctor D Mike · Answer

Mark,

1)To see how to setup router for both laptop & desktop refer :

(i) Either through ROUTER : http://www.gyre.co.uk/help/broadband/connection_sharing.php

(II) Or just by sharing ICS (internet connection sharing in XP )

2) For Desktop to renew IP :

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;810606&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

3) To enable file sharing

(i) disable Firewall.

Make sure that a firewall is not enabled on your local area connection, and that no other third-party firewall software is installed. If you are running a third-party firewall program, view the documentation for that software. For additional information about how to disable the Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

283673 HOW TO: Enable or Disable Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP

(ii) Make sure you right click on folder and give proper sharing with user rights to access it. U can also use Network sharing wizard.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/hnw_setupP.asp

Hope it resolves the issue soon.

Regards,

Doctor Dell