Sharing files with 2 WinXP computers

[drdoug99]

I finally got everything set up with my little home network.

2 computers, both with winxp.

one is called IBM, one is called CUSTOMBUILT. They are on a workgroup.

TCP/IP protocol and File and Printer sharing is installed.

I have the computers hooked up with my cable modem, which goes into my Belkin router, CUSTOMBUILT computer is on port 1, IBM is on port 2 of the router, and both computers can get on the internet fine.

I use the remote desktop connection wizard to access the other computer, but it doens't work. The little list you use to select the computers on your network is blank....neither computer is listed.

Any help? I've never networked before or anything, so this is all new to me:) thanks for your time.

[BaLa]

you say they are on 'a workroup'
are they on the same workgroup?


you have Client for MS Networks installed? (not sure if its needed or not lol I have it installed and my network works)


why are you trying to use remote desktop connection wizard?

go to
My Network Places (thats what it's called in W2k)
to Computers Near me

both comps should be listed..

[NexariaN]

Did you enable Remote Access on the computers? If not then you wont be able to connect or see them.... Remote connection settings are on a tab in the system properties.

?Are you looking to file share? If so, you have to enable sharing on the files you want shared.- Right click, Sharing and security.

If you go to My network Places, it might take a few for the computers to show up.

[BaLa]

oh yeah...

you have to have at least a folder shared otherwise you wont see the comp(s)

also you need to make username on for Comp A to log onto comp b

to simplify that..
I use the same acct and pw on all my comps
like this

AXP W2k Logon Administrator P/W 123
EMachines Win98 Logon Administrator P/W 123
K6-2 WIN-ME Logon Adminstrator P/W 123
MSI W2k Logon Adminstrator P/W 123

(I'm not worried about other ppls messing with files on my computers.)

the only ppls with access to any of my comps aren't smart enough to mess with it (files and settings)

[JackMDS]

The Network Wizard has "No Magic", it sux.

Step 1: For the propose of the initial setting, disable all software Firewall (including WinXP native
ICF); disable any active Virus scan or any other utility that might intercept Network Traffic.

Step 2: Look in Control Panel / Network Connections, and make sure that the drivers are installed, and there is no hardware conflict.

Step 3: Recheck all Network settings in the Control Panel Network Connections.

Then look at content of the following links:

Windows XP Simple File Sharing (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm)

Windows XP Professional File Sharing. (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm)

XP File Sharing Trouble. (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/11trouble.htm)

============================================

If you spend too much time and it does not work.

Install NetBEUI, better chance there no IPs.

After Install NetBEUI appears in the list of available protocol, there in no properties for NetBEUI since there is nothing to configure.

Make NetBEUI Default, and the sharing protocol in WinXP.

Right-click on the:

"My Network Places" on the desktop to display the "Network Properties"

In the Network Properties Window, pull the Advance Menu, and click on advanced settings.

Choose the Adapters, and Bindings tab.

Hi-lite Local Area Connection.

The lower part of the windows shows you the available Share and Protocol.

NetBEUI has to be in first position in both settings, to be Default Protocol.

You make it first by Hi-lite NetBEUI, and move it up using the Arrow on the right side.

Uncheck the TCP/IP binding from Sharing.

[drdoug99]

well this is the most difficult thing for me to figure out.

It seems like 9/10 times I can't connect to the internet with the router hooked up. LIke now, I was going through the steps, JackMDS said, double checking connections and settings, and you have to reboot to get changes to take effect, well upon rebooting, the connection no longer works.

I can't get a new IP either....relase/renew dont work, but yet they have worked in the past.

so now i have disconnected the router, and i can get online fine...but only one computer is hooked up, totally defeating the purpose of having a router!!! :mad:

but why does the router work one time and not the next?? and I type in 192.168.2.1 to access my routers setup page, and only my IBM computer works...the other one gets page cannot be displayed...


on the pratically networked site, its' talking about setting up users and stuff. I'm the only user. Both computers will be on 24/7, and I jsut want to be able to drag and drop files to each other...can i do this?

here's what i have now
http://members.accesstoledo.com/drdug99/networksharing.jpg

that should be all i need to share files....why is it so hard?:rolleyes:

right now im reading through all the tutorials that practiallynetworked has....hopefully i can figure something out. thanks for the replies guys:)

[JackMDS]

Given the course of actions that you already took.

If your Computer’s Network setting is set to obtain IP automatically, and the DHCP server on the Router is On and you can not connect to the Internet. Then either the settings on the Router are wrong) try to reset the Router). Or the Router is not functioning and need to be returned.

[Casper]

Two computers XP Pro
Both had interent Access
neither could see the other.

Installed IPX/SPX Protical.

Now everything works great.

[BaLa]

if the router turns out to be defective do yourself a favor and get
a Linksys BEFSR41 or Nexland

these are the 2 I've heard recommended the most recently..
I personally have the Linky never had a prob with it..

[JackMDS]

Linksys has one big advandge over other Routers.

"It is Blue". Otherwise there is no difference.

[tvalentijn]

Dr. Doug - did you get things to work? I have the same problem and it is driving me effing CRAZY!!!!!!!

I have a D-Link wireless router and 2 computers (running XP Home and Win2000). They share the Internet connection just fine and both computers can ping eachother. Both computers have the normal protocols installed (TCP/IP, file/printer sharing and Client for Microsoft Networks). The XP Home computer also has QoS Packet Scheduler installed.

On my Win2000 computer it seems to work (I can see the computer name and it's shared folders in Workgroup WORKGOUP). On my XP Home pc I think have done all I can, but if I go to My Network Places, the Workgroup the computer belongs to (WORKGROUP) is totally empty. (Whereas on the Win2000 pc the workgroup WORKGROUP shows that computer and it's shared folders). And of course in 'Explore' I can't see one computer from the other one.


Therefore I think I need to focus on the XP Home computer.

I do have 'allow remote assistance invitations to be sent' checked and I have 'allow this comouter to be controlled remotely' checked as well.

What does 'primary DNS suffix of this computer' mean? It is empty now.

Do you need have your hard disk formatted as NTFS to be able to share files on the network? Mine is still FAT32 (upgraded from Win ME).

On the C: disk, properties, sharing, I have checked 'Share this folder on the network' and 'allow network users to change my files'. Some oter folders have the same things checked.


In Network connections I have 3 connections, of which are enabled:
1/ Internet Connection, type: Internet Gateway
2/ Local Area Connection, type: LAN or Highspeed Internet
and disabled is: Verizon Online - from before the LAN
The 'Internet Gateway' connection appeared when I ran the LAN Wizzard for the second time. No functionality changed when this appeared - should I disable this connection?

Both computers have 'obtain IP address automatically' and 'obtain DNS server address automatically' checked. The router does have the capability to assign IP addresses (DHCP). Is there an advantage to assigning the IP addresses manually (static)?

'Internet Connection Firewall' is not checked.

Any ideas / suggestions anyone?

[drdoug99]

well i just got off the pone with both my ISP and Belkin (my router is the 4 port Belkin router)

Both techs I spoke to at Belkin I could barely understand, lol...
one guy said "renew" as "Ren You" I was like WTF is Ren You?? lol...but both guys helped me out luckily....

my one computer works fine....DHCP configured...but the other computer I needed to manually set all the IP's....weird IP's too that is not in the belking manual or the website...but it's working.

but in order to get it to work, on the computer that formerly didn't work, I had to set my NIC properties to 10MBS Half Duplex.....wont that suck for sharing files? the other NIC in the other computer is fine at 100mbs....Auto Mode. If I set AUto mode on this computer, it goes back to not working...:(

[tvalentijn]

also try to install another protocol, that helped me a lot. The TCP/IP doesn't seem to do the job. I installed the NWLink IPX/SPX protocol - it now works like a charm. Let me know if you need instructions how to do that.

Tim

[drdoug99]

ah....here's a site I found that I am pretty sure solved my problem.

http://www.homenethelp.com/web/howto/net-xp.asp

all i had to do was enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP on both computers...it does seem to be working. I say seem to be working cuz right now im downloading Windows updates on the other computer under my Mom's login name....since her account is limited, it's not giving me access....but I bet once I login under my account, it will grant me access..