I can see roommates computer, he can't see mine

[Gunslinger08]

So we just set up our computers and we're sharing internet access via a router. In my network places, I can see his computer and copy files to/from it. However, he can't even see my computer, and can't access it if he types in \\my computer name. Any ideas what might be blocking him from seeing my computer? I thought Zone Alarm might be messing it up, but it doesn't work with it turned off either.

 

[deerslayer]

Are you guys under the same workgroup?

 

[Gunslinger08]

Yep.

 

[RedFox1]

What version of Windows? Do you have file and printer sharing installed?

If you search for the machine by name, do you find it?

 

[JackMDS]

Log to the following page.

Scroll down, in the middle (yellow hi-lited) you will find info, and links to solve sharing problems.

Link: Basic NetWorking.

 

[yoda291]

try this,

have him punch in \\Your IP
if that doesn't work, check that he can ping you first.

 

[fell8]

You need to go into File and Print sharing under network properties and allow access to your files.

 

[martind1]

What OS's are involved in this?

try connecting via \\ipAddress since most routers dont have a WINS and thus cant resovle the names of computers unless its been connected to it recently.

if its XP there may need to be file sharing turned on.