Setting up a home network

[Modular]

OK,

Main CPU has XP Home
Laptop has XP Pro

I want to network the 2 computers together so that the main computer can send files to the laptop for backups.

I created the network on the main computer first. Then I used the setup disk and ran it on the laptop. For some reason, I can't get the main computer to send files to the laptop. I make some files "shared by the network" but the laptop cannot see them.

WTF am I doing wrong? Can XP Home not network?


Edit:

I connected another computer with XP Pro to the network and I still have nothing. It can't see the network and the other computers can't see it.

This is the most annoying thing ever....I can't understand why it's so hard to share a file...

 

[JackMDS]

Do you need Internet connetion and sharing as well?

For Sharing, http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

:sun:

 

[Modular]

No, I have a router that sends the internet to all the computers. I just want to back up some data.

 

[TG2]

All computers on the same named workgroup?
Shared folders on both machines?

Go to Start>Run and type in \\OtherPCIPAddress and push enter and it should bring up the shared folders from the other PC

Im guessing you were trying to use the network neighborhood to look for the shared folder?

 

[HerbalKiller]

this is the exact same problem I am having... SOMETIMES if I am laptop wired, I can see the desktop in the Network Neighborhood and connect... then one day it will just stop seeing it. I have yet to figure out how to connect to my wired desktop with my wireless laptop.

 

[Modular]

Dang, after reading some of the link that was posted (ezlan.net) I realize that this is pretty involved. I'm going to have to start from scratch here.

I might have some time tonight to mess with it. It seems as though every computer on the network should have the same username/password and alot of other things that I didn't know.

The weirdest thing is that when I'm on the laptop, I can see the other connected XP desktops, but I can't access them. They show up as "My room" and "Office" but when I click on them I get an error saying that they aren't accessible, and that I should contact my network administrator.

ha.