Re: File sharing fails.

Robin Chapple wrote:
My apology if this is not the correct list.

I have Windows XP professional on each of two machines in my study.
They each connect to the Internet through an Ethernet mini switch. I
need to share files.

I have run the network wizard on one machine and made
the floppy and run it on number two machine. Message says complete.

Still no working network is obvious..

What have I missed?

Since you are using a switch, you don't have a router acting as a DHCP server. You need to assign static IP addresses to each computer that are in the same subnet (ex. 192.168.1.12 and 192.168.1.13). I'm not really sure of your network setup since normally to share an Internet connection a router would be involved. If you don't have one, then your ISP must have given you static IP addresses instead. I'll give you general network troubleshooting below but if that doesn't solve your issue you'll need to be more descriptive about your setup.

Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused by 1) a misconfigured firewall; or 2) inadvertently running two firewalls such as the built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party firewall; and/or 3) not having identical user accounts and passwords on all Workgroup machines; 4) trying to create shares where the operating system does not permit it.

Here are some general networking tips for home/small networks:

1. Configure firewalls on all machines to allow the Local Area Network (LAN) traffic as trusted. With Windows Firewall, this means allowing File/Printer Sharing on the Exceptions tab. Normally running the Network Setup Wizard on XP will take care of this for those machines.The only "gotcha" is that this will turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like Norton 2006/07) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. With third-party firewalls, I usually configure the LAN allowance with an IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would substitute your correct subnet. Do not run more than one firewall.

2. With earlier Microsoft operating systems, the name of the Workgroup didn't matter. Apparently it does with Vista, so put all computers in the same Workgroup. This is done from the System applet in Control Panel, Computer Name tab.

3. Create identical user accounts and passwords on all machines. If you wish a machine to boot directly to the Desktop (into one particular user's account) for convenience, you can do this. The instructions at this link work for both XP and Vista:

Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) - http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm

4. If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center:

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the Simple File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it matters in your situation.

I think it is a good idea to create the identical user accounts/passwords in any case when Vista machines are involved and it isn't an onerous task with home/small networks.

5. Create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users' home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the Shared Documents folder.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Users, Groups & Built-in Security Principles
    ... > Help Services Group ... > NETWORK SERVICE ... Windows XP is a multi-user OS, even when used by one person only, the ... You should at least turn on the built in firewall. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Re: Cannot access my network
    ... My Windows Live touble shooter ... firewall issue' (I've turned OFF my windows firewall and do not believe ... XX (home network name) is not accessible. ... Create identical user accounts and passwords on all machines. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • wired-wireless-internet connection interference
    ... My Windows Live touble shooter ... firewall issue' (I've turned OFF my windows firewall and do not believe ... XX (home network name) is not accessible. ... Create identical user accounts and passwords on all machines. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: NetTrans
    ... Re: Running Network Setup Wizard. ... I can switch off the Norton Antivirus firewall in ... for Windows ME and for Windows 98, ... start by running the Network Setup Wizard on all machines ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: install
    ... You just need to set up your network correctly. ... start by running the Network Setup Wizard on all machines (see ... Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused ... by 1) a misconfigured firewall or overlooked firewall (including a stateful ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup)