How do I set up a network for file sharing with my two computers?

[jsnowden]

Hi,
I have two desktops connected to an ethernet router, the router is then connected to a cable modem. Internet works fine with this setup. I ran the windows network wizard and went through the steps by answering the questions during each step. First Windows XP said something about my network setup being not optimal because each computer is connected to the internet directly and said that it will enable the Windows XP firewall. I clicked ok and let Windows XP do its thing. After finishing and rebooting I still can't share my files. I don't even see the other computer when I click on view workgroup computer. Can anyone help me?

 

[Wolfsraider]

did you:
1.set the work group name the same?

I had to disable the firewall on my setup to get it to see the other computer

also I set it up to share only files on a seperate partition named share

not sure if this is the "proper" way but it worked for me

 

[jsnowden]

I am sure that the workgroup name is the same, I disabled the Windows XP firewall on the two computers and rebooted, but still couldn't see one another. I was just sharing a folder on each computer to test if it worked.

 

[TechnoPro]

A few ideas...

In XP:

Start -> Search -> Computers or people -> A computer on the network

Type in the name of the other PC and click Search.

Was it found?

Can you ping the other PC?

 

[Slogun]

Good idea to disable the WindowsXP firewall (SP2 is gonna implement a better firewall)
Same workgroup, check
Try right-clicking on your C drive on each computer and allow maximum sharing.
Also helps to make sure you have the same network protocols enabled in network neighborhood for all the comps.
I have Client for Microsoft Windows
NWLink NetBIOS
NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS
and TCP/IP enabled on mine.

You probably don't need em all.

Also, don't run Zonealarm while getting your network setup, you can always add layers of security later once you have the bugs worked out of your network.

 

[1luckymf]

Here you go!
AT FAQ
Another One
This might help too

Also Make sure you turn off anti-virus before setting up your network.

 

[Pakman117]

What are the IP addresses for each computer? They should be something like 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.2. Did you try pinging each computer from the other? To do this, simply go to start > run > type in "cmd" w/o the quotes, and press enter. Then type "ping 192.168.x.x", w/o the quotes and fill each x with the correct number of the IP address from the other computer. if the ping works both ways, you are set. I assume you know how to share folders since you stated that earlier, you didn't by chance put a dollar sign at the end of the share name? This would hide the folder from your view in network neighborhood.

 

[jsnowden]

Thanks for all the help guys. A very weird thing happened just a couple of hours ago. As I was starting my post at another forum while waiting for replies from this forum, I clicked on "view computers in my workgroup", and to my surprise the other computer showed up!!! So I was happy and all, started to test by sharing an mp3 folder on one computer and a files folder on another. Everything worked flawlessly.....for 10 minutes, I was able to transfer files at blazing speed, then it just wouldn't work again. I did not change any settings, and Windows just tells me the other computer could not be found on the network. I'm suspecting that the on-board network card in my SFF is problemic cause it had trouble going online prior to setting up the network with the Windows XP Wizard. It would go online for like a couple of hours then it wouldn't, without any settings being changed. The weird thing now is that the internet is working for the SFF, but I couldn't get the networking to work. Sorry if this is all confusing, it sucks when things can be working this instance and then just die.

 

[jsnowden]

Hi Pakman,
How do I view the IP of each computer? Sorry, if this is a stupid question.

Ok, I found my IP. The IP address of the two computers are totally different except for the first two numbers. Also, the physical address for my SFF says 00-00-00-00-00-00, instead of a combination of numbers and letters on my desktop computer. Is that the problem? I am using a Linksys 5port workgroup switch (Model EZXS55W) if that helps.

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: jsnowden
Hi Pakman,
How do I view the IP of each computer? Sorry, if this is a stupid question.

Start -> Run

Type in "CMD" (without quotes) and click OK.

At command prompt, type "IPCONFIG /ALL" (no quotes) and press enter.

IP Address will be displayed on screen in addition to other information.

 

[Pakman117]

Hmmm, I don't see how you can be sharing the internet efficiently with a switch. Is that the only piece of network hardware you are using? You don't have a router setup before the switch? Please describe in detail how your network is setup. Right now I am picturing:

Cable Modem
|
Switch
/ \
PC 1 PC 2

If so, that could be your problem. If I'm not mistaken, while you might be able to access the internet using both machines, the switch will establish a connection with one computer first, send packets, then establish a connection with the second comptuer. I'm not sure if this can occur at the same time, slowing down your network and possibly causing these issues. This would also explain your network/internet working at certain points, but not during the same time. Could someone back me up here, or explain it correctly?

I am hesitant to explain how I would fix this situation, especially if it actually doesn't need fixing. I think, though, that you're going to need a router instead....or, you could install a second network card into one of your PC's, plug the cable modem into the PC with two network cards, plug the switch into the other network card in the same computer, then plug the second computer into the switch. This is how my network is setup, only with a hub.

 

[Slogun]

I'm a little confused.

The first line of the first post read: "I have two desktops connected to an ethernet router, the router is then connected to a cable modem. Internet works fine with this setup"

Now there is a switch in the equation somewhere?

 

[arsbanned]

I'm a little confused too. This forum is the General Hardware Forum. I think the Networking forum is down the hall?

 

[jsnowden]

Hi,
I'm sorry about the confusion. Apparently I have a switch instead of a router. The setup is exactly the same as Pakman described. I always thought that I had a router until I looked down for the model number. I didn't even know there was a difference between the two. It was something that I got from my old roomate from the old days of dorming. Good thing is I have an extra wireless router lying around that I haven't tried hooking up, maybe things will work out after switching to the router.

 

[Pakman117]

Yea, try using the router and let us know how that goes.

 

[jsnowden]

After switching to the router the network works! Thanks for all the help! I can transfer and share files with no problems now. I have a new problem though. When I try to connect my laptop with wireless 802.11b to the router (Dlink 514), I have trouble with loading some sites. It will load msn, yahoo, google with no problem, but if I try to load say newegg (or any graphics intensive site), it would hang. I'll have to hit the reload button for it to finish loading or wait for a long time. The funny thing is that it says excellent in signal strength, and I've even tried it with the laptop just sitting next to the router. I'm not using any encryption, which I read will slow my speed. Well, at least I got my networking problem solved. Time to move on to the next problem, sigh.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Originally posted by: arsbanned
I'm a little confused too. This forum is the General Hardware Forum. I think the Networking forum is down the hall?

Uhh... you are in the networking forum.

 

[Slogun]

Originally posted by: gunrunnerjohn

Originally posted by: arsbanned
I'm a little confused too. This forum is the General Hardware Forum. I think the Networking forum is down the hall?

Uhh... you are in the networking forum.

Yes, it's impossible to tell. A mod moved this thread to the networking forum without comment.
Apparently to placate the self appointed forum police

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Sure, blame it on the mods!

 

[Slogun]

Originally posted by: gunrunnerjohn
Sure, blame it on the mods!

No, seriously. jsnowden originally opened this inquiry under "General Hardware."

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Sure, I believe you. <joke alert>, I'm just funnin' you!

 

[Pakman117]

For your wireless speed issues, try disabling "wireless zero configuration". To do this, go to start > run > type in "services.msc" without the quotes > scroll down the list until you see "Wireless Zero Configuration". Press the "stop" button, and test your connection. If that doesn't do anything, I have no idea . Good luck.