Networking Two PC's
 

Hi,

I have just purchased a new laptop and want to create a home network so I can swap files from one to the other. I have a Desktop and a laptop.
Both are running windows XP service pack 2 and are connectted to the internet through a Belkin wireless router and Modem, I have internet access on both no problems and i have followed all the steps on XP for setting up the network but it doesn't seem to work !!!

I can see the network on the computers but neither computer shows up, any ideas ??

Mark.

1) make sure you have decent wireless security setup, make sure you are not using WEP. You must use WPA or better. More info here: BBC NEWS | Technology | Wi-fi security system is 'broken'
2) point 1 did not help your network, but its needed. So have you run the network setup wizard? Start>All programs>Accessories>communications<network setup wizard. You need to run this on both machines, and then reboot.

After that it should all be up and running. To actually share files, you need to share the folder they are in. Right click on folders you want to share and select "sharing and security".

Cheers, I will give it a try

sounds exactly like my previous problem...


Ive installed WMCE to see if that makes any differance ::wonder:


i,ll know more later

Right I have done setp 1 my security is WPA-PSK(no server) That is what is shown in my routers setup screen.

I have again run setup wizard several times on both machines and still no sucess.Both machines show he same info in
control Panel>performance and Maintenance>system>Computer name.

In here they both show the same workgroup name. Also when I check through
My Computer>My Network Places there is nothing there.

If I click View Workgroup Computers it thinks about it for a while then comes back with :-

"Workgroup is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resiurce. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions.

The list of Servers for this workgroup is not currently available"

Any ideas ???

Mark :confused: :confused:

Right a bit of an update, on the Desktop I can now see the two computers in the workgroup and access all the folders that are shared on the Desktop. The laptop shows up in the list but can't be accessed.
On the laptop there is still nothing listed.

So seems I am 50% there lol :luxhello: :luxhello:

Mark :D :D

Both computers have different names right?
They should have the same workgroup name, but the computer names (and descriptions) need to be different.
If you change anything, make sure you reboot both machines before you test if it has worked. If there is some sort of conflict going on between the machines just rebooting one may not sort it...sorry thats a pain, but its best to be sure.

Also, go to Start>run>type "cmd" and press enter
Now type "ipconfig" and report back what it says.
Do this for both machines.

What firewall and antivirus are you using?

Just found a support forum talking about this:
<workgroup> is not accessible you might not have permission.... list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available.... (WXP-Pro) - PC Tools Community Forum

Right checked everything you have said.

Both computers have different names (Desktop & Laptop)
Both have different descriptions (MD-ROBOTICS-01 & 02)
Both belong to the same Work group (MD-ROBOTICS)

Right after doing the Ipconfig I get :-

Desktop :

Ethernet adaptor Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Belkin
IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.3
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1

Ethernet adaptor Bluetooth Network:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . . . : Media Disconnected

Ethernet adaptor Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

And the Laptop gives :

Ethernet adaptor Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . . . : Media Disconnected

Ethernet adaptor Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Belkin
IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1

Ethernet adaptor Bluetooth Network:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . . . : Media Disconnected

Ethernet adaptor Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected


As for firewall and anti virus I am using Norton internet security with personal firewall turned on and Norton anti virus.

Mark.

Right another update !!!

After reading stuff on that link you sent me I have tried a few things.

Firstly I added both IP address for both machines into the home networking section on my personal firewall as trusted sources, rebooted both machines and still no success.

I then turned off the firewall and now both machines can see each other and I can swap files etc between both computers :luxhello: :luxhello:

So its a firewall config problem ??

Question is how do I fix it ?? :confused: :confused:

Any suggestions ???

Mark.

I am really glad you managed to get it sorted. The IP config things you quoted seem fine. In the interests of security I would now remove that info from your post. Its not likely anyone could use it to any great effect, but lets not test that.

Being honest, since its Norton you are using I would recommend uninstalling it entirely. Then using something better. I don't mean to be rude, but the number of computers I come across that have issues because of Norton is high. Its also slow and not that effective.

Windows Firewall is generally sufficient if you are behind the basic NAT firewall of your router. There for you just need antivirus. The best on the market is either NOD32 or Kaspersky. I run NOD32.

If you encounter issues in the future, especially strange networking ones, remember that your machine used to have Norton installed. It still leaves a few traces once removed.

Dump Norton ASAP.

You'll have less problems and a speedier computer.