My first network, few questions

[archcommus]

Just set up my first network, very simple, two computers, wired.

Both have working internet access now, and I went through the Network Setup Wizard on both computers, as well. However neither computer shows anything in Network Places. How do I do basic things like sharing files between the computers, making sure that certain areas are NOT shared, and print from both computers, etc?

Thanks.

 

[spherrod]

Lots of info on here, basically makes sure both machines are in the same Workgroup and you should be all set

http://www.ezlan.net/

 

[archcommus]

Thanks for the link.

 

[archcommus]

Okay I'm still a bit confused. Everything hardware-wise is configured properly and both computers are receiving an internet connection, that much is good. However getting the computers to "see" each other to share files and the printer is proving to be a problem. I've gone through the Network Setup Wizard on both systems. I entered a name and description for each, and set the same Workgroup for each, as well. However when I click on My Network Places, the only icons are Add Network Place, Network Setup Wizard, Wireless Network Setup Wizard, and Entire Network. Inside of Entire Network, it shows Microsoft Windows Network. Inside of that, it shows an icon for the named Workgroup. If I click on the Workgroup, each computer behaves differently. One of them will display an icon for both computers inside, but if I click on the one, it just says it's not accessible. The other computer won't let me into the workgroup in the first place.

What am I doing wrong?

 

[ronzilla]

What are their IP addresses? They need to be on the same IP network. This might not be an issue since they can both get to the internet, but since we don't know your whole setup, it's a place to start.

 

[archcommus]

Their IP addresses are simply ones assigned by the routers, one ends in 100, the other ends in 101. As soon as I hooked up the hardware and rebooted each computer the internet worked fine. Both show the LAN connection in Network Connections.

Now I just need to make it a recognized Windows network so the computers can see each other and share files in My Network Places. I've run the wizard, named the computers, given them the same workgroup, I'm not quite sure what else to do.

Just remember, the UPSTAIRS computer, when you click on the workgroup name, it says its not accessible. On the downstairs computer, when you click on the workgroup name, it does in fact show an icon for both computers, but only the one that I'm actually on is accessible; the other is not.

 

[ronzilla]

are you running software firewalls?

also, see if you can ping the downstairs computer from upstairs (and vice versa). Ping isn't always a sure test of connectivity, but it might be an indication of what's wrong in this situation.

 

[archcommus]

I am running Sygate on both systems.

 

[ronzilla]

Disable the firewalls and then see what you can do. If it works with the firewalls off, you've got yourself a configuration issue.

 

[archcommus]

Ahh, I simply had to allow all Network Neighborhood traffic in Sygate's options on both computers. Thanks.

 

[nweaver]

I will give an IMHO statement.....

Network Neighborhood sucks, and I would only use it if aliens were invading and it was the only way to defeat them. Even then we would all be screwed cause it probably wouldn't work. Use unc paths (\\computername\sharename) to access the other computers. If you have problems with Netbios name resolution (using the computername) then use the ip address in place of computername.

 

[sjgmoney]

Originally posted by: nweaver
I will give an IMHO statement.....

Network Neighborhood sucks, and I would only use it if aliens were invading and it was the only way to defeat them. Even then we would all be screwed cause it probably wouldn't work. Use unc paths (\\computername\sharename) to access the other computers. If you have problems with Netbios name resolution (using the computername) then use the ip address in place of computername.

Network Neighborhood doesn't suck if you follow Jack's instructions on ezlan.net and share using NetBEUI. Much easier than typing all the bs you suggested and ALWAYS shows up!!! Now sharing using tcp/ip is another matter...

 

[archcommus]

I'm sorry, I'm in a rush and leaving in a minute, can someone explain what the NetBEUI thing is and why I need it? I did nothing involving that whatsoever, after I allowed all Network Neighborhood traffic in Sygate on both machines, it just worked, flawlessly. What sucks about it so much, and do I need this NetBEUI thing?

 

[archcommus]

Bump.