Browsing other computer on home network

[techwanabe]

I have two computers plugged into a Verizon wireless router (FIOS service). I installed windows fresh on my 2nd computer and shared the C drive and made it so others on the network could modify files etc.

But when I try to browse for the other computer C drive, I don't see it. I"ve done it before but right now I"m not seeing it. Ideas?

 

[techmanc]

What Version of Windows you using and how did you setup your network?

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: techwanabe
I have two computers plugged into a Verizon wireless router (FIOS service). I installed windows fresh on my 2nd computer and shared the C drive and made it so others on the network could modify files etc.

But when I try to browse for the other computer C drive, I don't see it. I"ve done it before but right now I"m not seeing it. Ideas?

If on the browsing computer you key in \\destination.ip.address\sharename, can you connect? If so you have a DNS/WINS issue.

 

[techwanabe]

Well, just two Win XP machines connected to a router. In the past as long as I had shared the C drive, it was browsable. Its convenient to copy files back over that were saved off while one machine was wiped and made a fresh install of Win XP on. In the the past I could open windows explorer and browse the network and the other computer drive share name would show up. As long as it wasn't password protected I could open up the other C drive and copy past etc.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Make sure they have the same workgroup name, and check your firewall settings on both machines.

 

[techmanc]

Also make sure if your using DHCP from the router. At least that how most have there network configured. Check you connection status and post the info here.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: techwanabe
Well, just two Win XP machines connected to a router. In the past as long as I had shared the C drive, it was browsable. Its convenient to copy files back over that were saved off while one machine was wiped and made a fresh install of Win XP on. In the the past I could open windows explorer and browse the network and the other computer drive share name would show up. As long as it wasn't password protected I could open up the other C drive and copy past etc.

Asking again:

If on the browsing computer you key in \\destination.ip.address\sharename, can you connect? If so you have a DNS/WINS issue.

 

[degibson]

Try this:
Start > Search > Files or Folders > Computer or People > Computer on the Network
Enter your target machine's network name...

This works for ~90% of Windows share issues.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser
Make sure they have the same workgroup name, and check your firewall settings on both machines.

True, but I go a little beyond that.

Each machine should have a user name and password associated with it, e.g. you can't properly network a machine that uses auto login, or whatever MS calls it. Win 3.1/95/98/ME, for instance, didn't require a login on network machines. They were VERY unsecure in this regard, but I think MS fixed this security hole with Win2K and newer releases.

Plus, if you have a NAT router, you should you run a static IP and DNS on each machine, not dynamic. That way you can do NAT port forwarding, which is required by some apps. Personally, I run three routers and a gateway, and this is the only way I can keep things straight.

To clarify...

I setup each network machine with a static IP and DNS. Each machine has to be logged into using a user name and password. The machine has to be part of a workgroup(s) and the user auth'ed to access it. And, if you're running a firewall, make sure none of the machines are being blocked.

That's what I do. All my machines are networked together (MS and Linux) locally. I can network with remote machines, like my server in Atlanta - and I can use my LAN machines for serving web pages, as game servers, FTP, SlingBox, yada, yada, yada.

It takes a little getting used to, setting up network machines correctly, but once you get it down pat, networking is a breeze.

I setup all my machines this way, out of rote, whether or not I plan to network them. Makes life a lot easier in the long run.

Good luck!

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: degibson
Try this:
Start > Search > Files or Folders > Computer or People > Computer on the Network
Enter your target machine's network name...

This works for ~90% of Windows share issues.

That did the job. I simple searched the network and the shared drive was found.

The workgroup name was the default WORKGROUP.

Muchas gracias