Networking questions

[scaison]

I have a desktop computer, and a laptop. I wanted to network them so I bought a Linksys Wireless-G Broadband router and connected it to the desktop NIC with a Cat5e Networking Cable.

Then I got a Wireless-G Notebook Adapter.

I installed the software for them both.

The router is attached to a Cable Modem. I am successfully connecting to the internet with both machines.

What I cannot seem to do is browse one computer from the other although I have clicked on sharing both file folders and printers in both machines.

Do I need other software to transfer files from one computer to the other? I have laplink which I used to use with a direct connect cable. Can I use it to connect via the router?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The desktop is running W987SE and the laptop is running XP Home.

Thanks.

[KaraK]

do the two machines ping each other?

[scaison]

Yes, I can ping in both directions.

[Jizzy]

To add to what Spezi said, turn off all software firewalls, such as ZoneAlarm, etc. This only makes your configuration a bigger pain in the ass.

[KaraK]

what is the config? i.e. what workgoups are the various machines on? what is the ip addressing?

[scaison]

Both computers use "workgroup" as the workgroup. The ip address for the desktop is 192.168.1.100. The ip for the laptop is 192.168.1.101. They are assigned by the router. Can someone tell me how you normally access a drive from one to the other? Drive "D" on the desktop right now has full share, and the printer aqttached to it also haqs been markedmas share.

Should i see thye shared devices when I open "My Computer"?

[scaison]

Originally posted by Spezi


You should see all the shared devices when you open "My Network Places" or "Network Neighbourhood" if you are on Win Me/Win98.



Thanks, Spezi. Now we're making progress. When I open "My Network Places" on the laptop, I find the desktop computer, and can open the partition that I set up to share.

But when I open "Network Neighbourhood" on the desktop, the only computer listed is itself. So something I've done is not right.
I would have thought that if one computer could see the other, then the reverse would automatically be true, but I guess not.

However it's working in the direction that I would want to use, so I am satisfied. Without your clarification I would be nowhere at all.

I just can't thank all of you enough.

[Gand]

From my experience. In order to access your shares on an Windows 2000 / Windows XP machine, the login name and password you use to login to the network has to be the SAME as the one you use for the account which is allowed to access the share on the Windows XP machine.

[scaison]

Originally posted by Spezi


Sounds like you are making progress so glad to hear that.

If the problem persists on the desktop and you're feeling adventurous you might try something I did which helped me win the battle with a stubborn computer and that was adding the IPX/SPX protocol.

I've no idea why that made a difference for me but it did so I didn't question it any further. ;)


To do that go to "My Network Places" and right click then choose "properties" then right click on "Local area connection" and choose "properties" and under the "general" tab you can click on "Install" then choose "protocol" in the box and pick IPX/SPX. You would have to do it on both machines and maybe it will work for you then.

If not you can always remove that protocol again.

BTW if you choose to try this reboot both machines after installing the protocol.

Since it sounds as if you have XP on your laptop you might make sure your security settings aren't set too high. In your Internet Explorer on that machine click on "Tools>Internet Options>Privacy" and make sure you are set no higher than medium as that is working for me.

Well, I'm now back to square one!

Spezi, I hope I'm not too much of a pest.

I tried to add the IPX protocol to my laptop, running XP Home. When I clicked on "My Network Places"
I could find no local area connection tab. I must have done something because all of a sudden I could not connect to the network with the laptop at all. So I reinstalled everything.

Now I can get to the internet with the Desktop all the time.

Sometimes the icon on the laptop tray area for the wireless connection says "Wireless Connection 5 Not available". Then on a reboot it comes up okay and I can get to the internet.

I click on my network places, and each of the drives that I set up on the desktop shows up, but when I click on them nothing happens.

And to make matters perfect, I no longer can ping in either direction. I sure wish I had left it alone.

[TJM4FUN]

Follow spezi's advice to find your network connections. You may have accidentally turned on the wrong adapter.
Each adapter will have it's own icon. Find the one for your wireless port and make sure it is enabled.
Next, if you find that it does have IPX turned on, turn it off.
It won't help if it is not running on the other system.

Get back to where you had the files visible.
On the xp machine, go to the folder you want to share, go to folderoptions, advanced, and scroll all the way to the bottom.
There is a checkbox for enable simple file shareing. make sure that is checked.
Next as was mentioned before, turn off any firewalls on the 2 systems until you get the problem resolved.
If you run Zone alarm, you can add your private network domain range in to the trusted zone area, which may eliminate the problem.
Since you basic problem is that the w98 machine is not seeing the xp machine, but it is pingable, and there is an icon, there is most likely a setup problem on the xp side, and it's usually in the security /permissions area. Right now tho, you do need to get back to the working state.

[scaison]

Originally posted by Spezi


If that is not the case then something is amiss.

Never fear though worst case scenario I just remove whatever protocols and such that I've installed and reboot which should take a person back to square one safely.



Well I uninstalled and reinstalled, twiddled and twaddled, tweaked and diddled, and the net result is that it's all working now! I don't know what did it unfortunately, but I'm making backup images of both systems in case of future problems.

The funny thing is that I'm not a novice, I got my first computer in 1978. (I'm an old fart).

Thanks so much for your help. I hope I can do as much for someone else!

[scaison]

Originally posted by tjm4fun
Since you basic problem is that the w98 machine is not seeing the xp machine, but it is pingable, and there is an icon, there is most likely a setup problem on the xp side, and it's usually in the security /permissions area. Right now tho, you do need to get back to the working state.

See message #16. All is working now. But I'll be d----d if I know why. <G>

Oh well, to paraphrase Will Shakespeare "All's well tjat ends".

[scaison]

Originally posted by Spezi
Glad you got it sorted Stan. :D

Just another note, Spezi. On my laptop when I click on My Network Places I see each of the drives on the desktop that I set up to allow sharing. But when I click on one of the icons, nothing happens.

Just for the heck of it I went to the search package and said search for computers. It came up with an icon for my desktop. I put a shortcut on the desktop to that item, and when I click on it all the drives show up just like in network places. But when I click on a drive here it opens up the directory, and I can do anything.

The quirks of these systems is enough to drive me to eat!

[Nelda]

Once you get things up and running, Make changes to your workgroup name and PC names. You are at risk of some not so nice guy attacking your PCs given as much info as you have and with firewalls down. Use names very unique. Not such generic names.
On my router, I can reassign my PC's IP numbers within a given range and do so every so often.

[Martle]

Hi guys.

I've been having exactly the same problems as scaison after installing my Linksys cable/DSL router. I have trawled every help page imaginable but can't get my 3 'puters to talk to each other.

I'm glad I came here as I've got lots of advice to go on.

I will get back to you with the verdict.

If I'm successfull, then the drinks are all on me!

[Martle]

Originally posted by Nelda
You are at risk of some not so nice guy attacking your PCs given as much info as you have and with firewalls down.

BTW please let me assure you that I am a really nice guy and not the type of person you are referring to.

I just want to get my LAN working :)

[TJM4FUN]

Martle, if you still need help, please give the os on each system, and what if any firewall you are running on them.

often the firewall programs are stopping the pc's from seeing each other.

[Martle]

OK (here we go again, I here you mutter):grr:

My three systems are all running XP home.

I am indeed running Zone Alarm but I disable it the countless times i've tried to get things going.

I'm going to re-set my modem and router (as suggested earlier) and try starting again following the same advice as you gave scaison.

I have been working on this for a couple of weeks without success so now I'm really beginning to feel a tad frustrated :beatsme: There is a better word I could use but I don't think the mods would allow it:emb:

Thanx for your help

[TJM4FUN]

Originally posted by Martle
OK (here we go again, I here you mutter):grr:


HEHE! No not muttering, just thinking ,maybe we need to set up a faq for this!
Ok, we can discuss the zone alarm stuff later.
The linksys router uses ip addresses in the 198.162.1.1xx range
when set up as dhcp. In reality, it will have little to do with pc to pc communication.
As loath as I am to make assumptions, let me assume at least that ll the pc's can get to the internet. If not, there's something else wrong with the setup.

Let's do some basic tests. shutdown ZA on all the machines.
open a msdos window on each.
Type in: ipconfig
and note the address of each machine.
For example the 3 machines will likely be something like this:
Machine A: 192.168.1.100
Machine B: 192.168.1.101
machine C: 192.168.1.102
(most likely will be, as the ip addresses rarely deviate, just what machine gets which may change depending on the power on order.
Now on machine A, try to ping the other 2 boxes, use this command: ping 192.168.1.101
then ping 192.168.1.102
(these are examples, use what adresses you have)
if they time out, then there is another problem
if they all can ping each other, then we can go on.

If they ping, on each machine, under folder options, advanced, scroll to the bottom of the list, and look for an option that says enable simple file sharing and make sure it's checked on.
Next, make sure you have at least one folder that is marked sharable on each machine.
DONOT use the wizards for this stuff!
create a new folder and name it machA and similar on eahc machine for now. select the properties for each, then the sharing tab. next use the line that says share files without running wizard, click here.
Next I believe is a simple warning box, select the just enable file sharing option.
On the next screen, click share this folder on the network, it should have the folder name in the box.
Check allow network users to change my files if you want to be able to write to the folder, most likely you will.
OK out.
setup t least 2 amchines, then on one go to my network places, and see if any folders show up. you may need to click the show all network connections option on the left, then browse microsoft
network.
If you findthem try to access them. save a simple file (drag and drop) to test.
Let's see how you make out with some of this before I go further.

[Maggie]

Martle
Open Network Connections in Control Panel. Go to Advanced on the toolbar of the folder. Dropdown to Advanced Settings and check your bindings. Make sure that TCP/IP is bound to Client for Microsoft Networks and Printer and File Sharing for Microsoft Networks. This is where you are loosing the other machine. It is not sharing the Printers and Files.
If you are on a Router that is the Gateway (DHCP server) so the properties for the ethernet cards :
Client for Microsoft Networks and TCP/IP are the only protocols needed to be installed.
TCP/IP : netbios over TCP/IP, and obtain ip address automatically, if you are using a wireless card do NOT check IEEE 802. authentication on any of the machines.
Make sure you are setting up the network in Administrator. If you have any other protocols uninstall them.
If your using a software firewall put the ip ranges in the trusted zone. The ips will change depending on your boot sequence so they all have to be in there.
So if for some reason you loose a machine on the network it is usually the advanced settings got fubared. Try to avoid the network wizard.