Sharing files and folders

[bulldawg1979]

I have three home computers. One has a wired connection to the internet via a Netgear router connected to a DSL modem. The other computers connect to the internet using wireless adapters. Yesterday, I decided to setup file and printer sharing among the computers. I read an article on networking that suggested using the fastest computer as the host. I think this might be my first mistake. My fastest computer has a wireless connection to the internet, but I used it as the host, then made the other computers clients. When the computers did not communicate, I started fiddling with the setup. I have gotten the wireless computer to show the other computers in the workgroup, but when I select the folder representing one of them, it tells me I don't have access to it. When I go to My Network Places on the other computers, and look at the workgroup, there is nothing in it.

Another strange thing, on the wired computer, there used to be Bellsouth icons for my broadband connection and dialup connection in Network connections. Now, all I have is the LAN connection icon. When I right click on it and select Properties, then go to the Advanced tab to find enable Internet Connection Sharing, it doesn't exist. The only thing under Advanced tab is the ability to enable the Firewall. What's up?

I have googled networking troubleshooters and tried to follow setup instructions. From this further research, I get the impression I should have used the wired connection as my host. The LAN connection should not have file and print sharing and Microsoft Client bound to TCP/IP. Then, it seems I'm supposed to have another connection (maybe the missing DSL icon) that I set to communicate with the other computers that has file and print sharing and Microsoft Client enabled.

I used the Network Wizard to do the setup. It asks how the host computer is connected and I chose the option, "connects through another computer and/or a residential gateway." When I tried to redo things and make the wired computer the host, I made the same selection, since it uses a router, but still no communication. Was this correct choice or should I have selected, "connects directly to the internet."



As you can see, I'm confused. I hope some of my issues make sense to somebody. I feel like I have created a chain with a bunch of knots. Can someone unravel the mess.
Thanks,
bulldog 1979

 

[jeepcj236]

make sure all computers are in the same workgroup/domain

enable firewall exceptions to allow other ip users

make sure files/folders are shared with right permissions

 

[bulldawg1979]

All are in the same workgroup

Disabled Windows firewall, am using Zone Alarm. How do I make any changes it might require?

files/folders and printer are setup to share

 

[Slowlearner]

All your computers are connecting to the internet and to each other thru the router, there is no need to set up a computer as a host (I am not sure what you mean) and Internet Connection Sharing should not be enabled - each PC should be set up to receive an IP and DNS automatically (check this by opening network connections - Properties - scroll down to TCP/IP and check its properties). If you do not have any other network protocol all services will be bound to TCP/IP.

I think you need to take a good look at JackMDS's site www.ezlan.net, and also read the Netgear router manual. Start out with minimal security and then fine tune the network connections. All firewalls must be off to start with, then enabled after you have good connectivity. Do all changes manually and do not use any "wizards".

 

[bulldawg1979]

Well, I took your advice and went to ezlan.net. Nice site. I have the upstairs computer behaving and allowing file sharing and printing. However, the downstairs computer shows the shared files of the upstairs computer, but will not allow access. I get a message about insufficient server storage to process the command. I can ping the upstairs computer, but I can't map it. Googling the error message, I found references to changing the IRPStackSize in the Registry. It was not located in my Registry, so I followed directions on how to create it and set a value. It did not help. I'm afraid that by using the wizards in the beginning and by trying to set up a host/client arrangement that I have created a mess in the registry.

Also, I use Zone Alarm. I put the IP addresses of both computers in it and afterwards was when my upstairs computer started communicating. The downstairs computer, connected to the internet through a Netgear router attached to a DSL modem, is listed in Zone Alarm in the "internet zone" instead of the trusted zone. This is unchangeable, according to Zone Alarm. Is any of this relevant to my problem? Shouldn't Zone Alarm use the IP address of the gateway as the "internet zone" and let the IP address of the downstairs computer, assigned by the router, be in the "trusted zone?" Once again, I think starting out with instructions to assign one computer as the host and other computers as clients messed things up.

Any help appreciated,
bulldawg1979

 

[Slowlearner]

1. No registry changes are needed
2. Make sure that your computers are in the same workgroup: My Computer- Properties -Computer Name - Change
3. Make sure at least one folder (not the entire C drive) in every computer is shared - Open Windows Explorer - right click on the folder - Sharing and security - Share this folder over the network
4. Turn Zonealarm off

Now see if you can see the shared folders from the different machines

 

[bulldawg1979]

Had already done all four of your suggestions. I can see the shared folders on both computers. I can share folders and printer on upstairs computer, but downstairs computer denies access. On the downstairs computer, I see the shared folders on the upstairs computer, but when I try to access it says, "not enough server storage available to process this command."

 

[Slowlearner]

Ok. This is an experiment. Add Netbuei network protocol to all the computers - I know this is a sure fire way for wired PCs but am not too sure about wireless connections. Go back to ezlan.net and search for Netbuei or http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;301041.
Again try with ZA off.