Trying to share files between my main PC and laptop

[nitenichiryu1]

Hello. I have recently reformatted my laptop and was wondering how i could get my network working as far as sending files and what not, between both computers. Before the reformat it was working fine. I have a network key up and running and i enabled the share option to begin sharing (sharing and security). But now nothing shows up when i view workgroups or look into my network places. Please help. Thanks

 

[BarnyardMonkey]

What version of Windows are you running? XP?

Also are you ran into a Router/Switch?


If everything is networked together correctly,you should just have to install "File and Printer Sharing" on both systems.
And give both the same workgroup name.

Also make sure each system has its own unique "Computer Name".
restart,and you should be able to browse Network Neighborhood.
or you may have to Right click Neighborhood,and choose search for computer.
then type in the "Computer Name" of the system your trying to share with.



Shawn.

 

[ktwebb]

Yes, lets tell nothing about the network, vague narratives about what you've done so far (Network key???) and expect the answer to magically be posted in response.

 

[nitenichiryu1]

To be quite honest, I'm a netoworking newbie and that is why I'm asking for your help. And thank you for all of your responses. I'm not sure if this is a big issue, but my main PC is running on windows xp service pack 2, while my laptop is running on windows xp pack 1. They are both under the same network name.

 

[SaintTigurius]

than i am quessing ur using a router. hopefully

by network name do u mean, same IP Class, or same workgroup name..

See if u can ping the other pc,

if u can, and that pc has files on it. start > run type: \\xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx <the IP address of the other computer, press enter and u should be able to see the files.

to get an ip address click start > run >cmd > ipconfig

 

[JackMDS]

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

Link to: Windows Network - Installing & Sharing.

:sun:

 

[nitenichiryu1]

Thank you very much, everyone. I'm going to try all these things right now.

 

[nitenichiryu1]

Ok. So in my workgroup name i can see both computer names ( the laptops name and the main PC's name), but when i try to click on the main PC's name from the laptop, it says "\\ <name> is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. The network pat was not found." What am i doing wrong this time? Thanks

 

[BarnyardMonkey]

So in my workgroup name i can see both computer names

Are you referring to "My Network Places/Network Neighborhood"?

And are you using a Router to share your connection?
you should go to command prompt on both systems and type: ipconfig
to see what the IP's of each one are. (Should be something like: 192.
168.x.x)


Also, do what SaintTigurius suggested after getting the IP's.

 

[nitenichiryu1]

Alright I'm going to try that. Please excuse my lack of netowkring knowledge. Oh and i am using a router. A linksys wireless router. The laptop is the one with wireless connection.

 

[nitenichiryu1]

Hmm..I tried what you all said, and when I ran the IP address of the main PC onto the laptops "run" it said "\\xxx.xxx.x.xxx The network path was not found. However, when I ran the laptops IP address on my main PC then the shared files opened up. What am I missing?

 

[nitenichiryu1]

Anyone?

 

[BarnyardMonkey]

Are you running norton Antivirus on the Laptop by any chance?
I've seen a couple other people have problems with their network becuase of this for some reason.uninstalling it fixed the problem.

Not sure if this would help you or not.


Did you try to ping the PC from your laptop to see if you get a reply?

go to command prompt and type: ping 192.168.x.x

(192.168.x.x is whatever IP your PC has)


See if you get a reply.


Also, just to see what it does....try to search for the PC from "My Network Places" on your desktop. (Right click, choose search for computers, then type the "name" of your PC - "not the workgroup name")

See if it shows up.



Shawn.

 

[nitenichiryu1]

Thanks, Barnyard, for your response. I was able to ping the other computer and i got results of 4 packets sent and average ms, and what not. However, in my network places, when I try to search for my laptop's name, it just does an internet search. Anything else i could try? Oh yea, and i currently have no anti virus on the laptop, or at least until i can figure out how i can get my network sharing up and running.

 

[BarnyardMonkey]

it just does an internet search

there should be a link to hit that says "Computer" when you right click,search for computer.
along with "Files or folder,people,Internet"

It may be set to Internet instead of computer by some chance.
should be listed right below everything. (In 2k anyways - XP box is down right now or i'd check to be sure)


All i can think of off top of my head would be to:

Check networking properties and see what all you have listed.may be something there that shouldn't be.

Or disable any firewall on both systems. (XP built in firewall,software firewall).



Shawn.

 

[nitenichiryu1]

Thank you, Shawn. I'll be sure to check that out.

 

[Micronaut]

What Barnyard said: XP2 firewall is blocking it. Enable File/Print Sharing in the Security Console (Control Panel)