My network works in one direction, not both ways

[NoelS]

I have 2 PCs side by side in my home office and a laptop in my kitchen. It's about 30 feet from the laptop to the 2 PCs. I used the Windows Network Setup Wizard to set up my network within my home. It has worked well for several months between these same 3 computers. Now, all of a sudden, my laptop went south on me and wouldn't work on the network at all (I have the wireless switch "on").

Today I could move things from my laptop to both PCs, but can't move anything from the PCs to the laptop. The PCs give me a message that I may not have Administrator's Rights or that the server doesn't have enough memory...

I'm the only user on all 3 machines and I have the same memory (2GBs) on each PC. And I don't believe I've changed the network in any way.

How could it work before and now quit? So what's going on, here?

Thanks, Noel

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: NoelS
How could it work before and now quit? So what's going on, here?

Thanks, Noel

Tha same pricple as cars, people, etc. things work until they do not work.🙁

First some basic Network education. If both computers can access the Internet it means that the basic network is working OK on both computers.

What is not working correctly is the File sharing.

This page describe how to remedy the error that you get, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/285089

In general.

Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings, http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is allowed to be shared.

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://www.microsoft.com/techn...evaluate/vista_fp.mspx

Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/d...x?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windo...t/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

 

[VanTheMan]

What you've got there is bits jammed up at your RJ45. What you need to do is unplug the network cables and then point the ends of the cables and the ports on the router at the ground. Let gravity work for a little while and those bits will clear themselves right out.

 

[NoelS]

Van, No wonder you're a "Golden Member" with all that great advice stored up inside you just busting to get out 🙂 Seriously, thanks for the humor - I needed that...

Jack, Thanks for all the good Microsoft help. I'll try to read and digest them one at a time. I have tried the first one and did some adjustment to my registry to no avail, but will keep trying to work it out. I might just put on a backup of the OS that I know was working correctly, but first I'll try some of your advice (System Restore didn't work).

Thanks again, Noel

 

[VanTheMan]

No problem. I was going to offer actual advice, but Jack pretty much covered everything anyway. I hope you read my post in the proper Southern accent for maximum effect. 🙂 Any luck with your problem so far?

 

[NoelS]

Van,

Still going through it. I believe it's the Windows firewall stopping incoming because of the results I'm getting. I have Zone Alarm on both PCs and can control what goes in and out... For some reason I can't install Zone Alarm on my PC, never could. So Windows firewall is doing it's thing. I got tired of playing with its settings so just went back to defaults... I keep you advised.

Thanks, Noel

 

[NoelS]

Jack and Van,

I wiped my C drive clean on my laptop and put on my backup. Fixed the problem (I took the coward's way out) 🙂

Thanks again for your help,

Noel