PC to PC connection problem

[Corey0808]

I'm having a slight problem with a network of a friend. Essentially there is one computer that has a printer and another computer wants shared access to that printer. If I try and connect from the computer that wants access to the printer by the PC name it will not connect, but if I use the IP address it will connect to the computer with the printer. What would cause this problem. These computers are connected through a router. Also this computer that wants access to the printer can not see any of the other computers on the network, and yes they are all under the same workgroup name. All the settings seem to be correct and I don't understand what the problem is.

 

[WPFossil]

Isolate your problem. Connect the two PCs with a crossover cable and see if you can ping with IPs and computer names. If everything works, then you know the problem is with your router settings.

 

[Dogma420]

the 'router' has a 5 way switch in it probably....router shouldn't have anything to do it. In IP config are both systems getting their info from the router via DHCP? or are you manually doing it?

Is the same exact user name/pw being used on both machines? Is the sharing permissions on the printer and the access to the computer w/ the printer have in its security the user/pw in its sharing/security? Share the C drive on the printer computer...shouldn't be any problem to just type at run command \\computer name at the other computer to see the printer and then double click on it.

Have both WINS and DNS enabled. Make the workgroup name the stock name, 'workgroup' without the quotes seems to help too, although I don't know why (its a windows thing)...

What OSs?

 

[Corey0808]

Originally posted by: Dogma420
the 'router' has a 5 way switch in it probably....router shouldn't have anything to do it. In IP config are both systems getting their info from the router via DHCP? or are you manually doing it?

Is the same exact user name/pw being used on both machines? Is the sharing permissions on the printer and the access to the computer w/ the printer have in its security the user/pw in its sharing/security? Share the C drive on the printer computer...shouldn't be any problem to just type at run command \\computer name at the other computer to see the printer and then double click on it.

Have both WINS and DNS enabled. Make the workgroup name the stock name, 'workgroup' without the quotes seems to help too, although I don't know why (its a windows thing)...

What OSs?

Yes, both systems receive their info from the router via DHCP. The login accounts are different on both machines because they are used by two different people. I don't understand what you mean by the following:

Originally posted by: Dogma420
Is the sharing permissions on the printer and the access to the computer w/ the printer have in its security the user/pw in its sharing/security?

I've tried accessing the computer on the network with \\computername\SharedFolder but it doesn't work but if I do \\IP\SharedFolder and it works. WINS and DNS are both enabled. I don't see the point in making the workgroup name 'workgroup' when all the computers are on 'mshome'

Also, all the computers are running Windows XP Home with SP2 installed.

Thanks for the help I really appreciate it!