Sharing files with two computers

[aolj]

I have a small network setup in my home. I have two computers connected through a router that is connected to the internet. Basically, it's using DHCP to assign IPs. One machine is using WinXP Home and the other is WinXP Professional. I can't seem to share the files on both computers. How do I configure them to do so? It seems so different from Windows 98. That's the last time I networked computers through a hub.

Also, another problem is with ICQ on the WinXP Prof rig. Before getting the router, only ZoneAlarm Pro was running on that pc and it had connected to the internet directly with WinXPPPPOE. I could send and receive files no problem.

When I added another PC(WinXP Home) to the network and bought a hub with that, my rig cannot send any files through ICQ. I could receive though. With MSN Messenger, I could send and receive files on that. However, the new PC(WinXP Home) had no ZoneALarm and it can send files no problem. I haven't tried sending files with that pc but I would think it should work.

I've heard about port forwarding but I'm not sure about it. Anyone here to help me please? Much appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[Genx87]

Check to make sure built in firewall is not enabled on the WinXp machines.

Secondly to access anything on the professional machine you will need to create a local account that matches the credentials of your WinXP Home machine. Just make an account on the WinXP prof that matches your login on the WinXP home machine exactly. From there you can share files and folders by sharing the folders and setting NTFS permissions.

I am not totally sure if WinXP home has the same security features as WinXP professional. If it does just repeat the steps except in reverse order.

As for ICQ. I assume you had the machine directly connected to the DSL or Cable? There could be a port blocked on your router that is preventing you from sending files.

 

[aolj]

I'll try those to see if the file sharing works or not.

Anyone for the ICQ problems? Anyone faced the same problem? What ports should I open?

 

[JackMDS]

May be this can Help.

Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions to Windows Network Setting and Sharing.

Link to: Installing & Sharing

On Ports:

Link to: Cable/DSL Routers - NAT & Ports.

 

[aolj]

Thanks. I will look into that website.