Re: Trying (Unsuccessfully) to Network Two Computers Together

From: Chuck (none_at_example.net)
Date: 10/06/04


Date: 6 Oct 2004 17:51:14 -0500

On 6 Oct 2004 15:38:13 -0700, *email_address_deleted* (AJ Asalees) wrote:

>I am trying (unsuccessfully) to network two computers together.
>
>Here is my set-up:
>
>- I have a DSL broadband connection. Connected to the DSL phone line
>is a DSL modem. Connected to the DSL modem is a Linksys router that
>supports connecting four computers to it.
>
>- I have an Ethernet cable conncting the router to computer #1, which
>is a Windows 2000 laptop computer.
>
>- I also have an Ethernet cable conncting the router to computer #2,
>which is a Windows XP Pro desktop computer.
>
>- Each computer is able to connect independently (and successfully)
>through the router to the Internet.
>
>The problem I am having is that I cannot get the computers to
>recognize each other on a network so that I can share files between
>them. I have turned on sharing for folders on both machines and can
>see the "name" of the XP computer in the "My Network Places" section
>of the Windows 2000 machine. However, when I click on the name, I get
>a message to the effect that the list of servers is not currently
>available.
>
>I would assume that what I am trying to do is fairly standard for
>people with a braodband router and two computers. Perhaps I am
>overlooking something obvious.
>
>Any help would be appreciated.

AJ,

Are you running both Client for Microsoft Networks, and File and Printer Sharing
for Microsoft Networks (Local Area Connection - Properties), on each computer?
Do you have shares setup on each?

Are you running NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (Local Area Connection - Properties - TCP/IP
- Properties - Advanced - WINS) on each computer?

Make sure the browser service is running on each computer. Control Panel -
Administrative Tools - Services. Verify that the Computer Browser, and the
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper, services both show with Status = Started.

On any XP Pro computer, check to see if Simple File Sharing (Control Panel -
Folder Options - View - Advanced settings) is enabled or disabled. With Windows
XP Pro on the LAN with Windows 2K, you need to have SFS properly set on each
computer.

On XP Pro, and with SFS disabled, check the Local Security Policies (Control
Panel - Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to "Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

On XP Pro, and with SFS disabled, if you set the above Local Security Policy to
"Guest only", enable the Guest account, using Start - Run - "cmd" - type "net
user guest /active:yes" in the command window. If "Classic", setup and use a
common non-Guest account on all computers. Whichever account is used, give it
an identical, non-blank password on all computers.

On XP Home, and on XP Pro with Simple File Sharing enabled, make sure that the
Guest account is enabled, on each computer. Enable Guest with Start - Run -
"cmd" - type "net user guest /active:yes" in the command window.

More about file sharing, between all different versions of Windows:
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=87c0a6db-aef8-4bef-925e-7ac9be791028&DisplayLang=en>

Is the XP computer XP SP2? Or pre-SP2?

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF / WF, or third party)? If
so, you need to configure them for file sharing, by opening ports TCP 139, 445
and UDP 137, 138, 445, by enabling the File and Printer Sharing exception, and /
or by identifying the other computers as present in the Local (Trusted) zone.
Firewall configurations are a very common cause of (network) browser, and file
sharing, problems.

And AJ, please don't contribute to the spread and success of email address
mining viruses. Learn to munge your email address properly, to keep yourself a
bit safer when posting to open forums. Protect yourself and the rest of the
internet - read this article.
http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_munging.htm

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.



Relevant Pages

  • Re: Work Offline Error Message Even When Im Online
    ... cable modem connected to a Linksys Wireless G Router. ... You don't mention the version of Windows you are using, ... Power Management adjustments to stop connection loss: ... The usual explanation is that the DSL software is PPPoE which only provides ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: [SLE] Home network problem
    ... > I have one PC running Windows 2k. ... This then connects to a D-Link 504 modem router via ... > via my broadband connection from the router. ... router it is quite safe to dissable the SuSE firewall. ...
    (SuSE)
  • Re: OT: ADSL safe practices and setting up a home network
    ... Can anyone give me some good novice references for what is required for a safe connection in the way of cable modems, routers, hardware firewalls, and how this is all connected? ... get you a modem and wired and wireless router for about $50. ... It is either MacOS or some version of Windows. ... The router I was able to configure simply using my browser. ...
    (Fedora)
  • Re: dial-up and wireless networking
    ... We are not able to get a high speed internet connection in my rural ... If you have a dial-up ... >>is currently available in Windows XP, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows ... > router with WiFi, or a dial-up router plus a wireless access point. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: DSL-to-Router link keeps dropping
    ... if that fixes anything. ... During email or web activity I will simply lose the connection (very ... When I depress the reset on the router or use the router's ... Can you explain more about the file sharing problem? ...
    (alt.internet.wireless)

Loading