Wireless networking...any suggestions?

Question

I just bought an Inspiron 2200 with a 1370 wireless card. I have a Netgear 802.11b router and a desktop with a standard LAN connection.   I tried to configure a wireless network so that I could print files from my laptop to my desktop which has a local printer. I ran the wizard for the wireless network, saved the configuration on a flash drive and input that configuration into the desktop (no USB port on the printer or router). I did all of the sharing allowances on both computers. Finally, when I went into my network on the desktop to see files on the laptop, I could see the laptop but when I tried to double click, it said the pathway could not be found.   I could not even see the desktop in my network on my laptop.   My question is am I missing something? Is it possible to set up a wireless network with one computer being on a standard LAN connection? Is there a configuration setting I should be aware of? At this point I'm extremely confused because a standard LAN network has never been this difficult to set up. I appreciate any feedback I can get on this. Thanks in advance!

volcano11 · Answer

The most common cause of such problems is improperly configured firewalls.  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.   Steve

tharoc · Answer

I turned the firewall completely off when I was trying to configure it. Then turned it back on. When I turned it back on, I made sure that printer and file sharing exceptions box was checked. Still no luck.   What I was wondering is about the WEP key. Would that cause issues in the two computers not communicating? I tried to input the settings provided to me by the wireless set up wizard on the router with no success. Is there possibly a comprehensive tutorial that I can refer to? Thanks!

tharoc · Answer

I disabled the firewall that you get access to by right clicking on your wireless network connection, still didn't work. I got into Norton and enabled file and printer sharing, still didn't work. Fed up with the entire scenario, I blew out the settings on the router, rebooted both computers and finally was able to access the network after that point. Thanks for the suggestions.

tharoc · Answer

I disabled the firewall that you get access to by right clicking on your wireless network connection, still didn't work. I got into Norton and enabled file and printer sharing, still didn't work. Fed up with the entire scenario, I blew out the settings on the router, rebooted both computers and finally was able to access the network after that point. Thanks for the suggestions.

volcano11 · Answer

If you can see the other computers on the network, then it is not a WEP key issue. If the WEP key is wrong, you won't even be able to get on the network. Are you absolutley sure you don't have any other firewalls running. I can't count the number of times going back and forth on these forums trying to solve a similar problem, where, after several days, the user finally says something like - "Oh, I didn't realize that Norton (or McAfee) had a firewall - after disabling (or uninstalling) that, everything now works". Which firewall did you "turn completely off"?

Steve

dj_cool · Answer

Let is start with the basics. Are you able to ping the IPs of the two computers from each other? If you are, then try to access the other computer using Start - Run - \[IP of the other computer] If you are able to access it, the printer should be visible and you can connect to it by double clicking on it.   If the computers are not pinging to each other, reboot both computers in Safe Mode with Networking and try pinging. If it goes through, it is definitely the Firewall. (Windows firewall may not be the issue as normally it is configured to allow File and Printer Sharing. It could be the Norton \ McAfee \ PC Cillin)

tharoc · Answer

I was able to ping the desktop...no success pinging the laptop. Like I said, after reseting the router back to factory settings. I've had no problems since.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wireless networking...any suggestions?

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