Problems setting up network

hamsterboy

Hi All
I'm using the windows network setup wizard to try and create a network to share files over my home wireless network.
Problem is every time I run the netsetup disc I create on a USB stick, it tells me everything is created and my network is ready to go. It's not though.
I can only see the machine I'm using on the network I create. Once I got to see the other machine in My Network Places but when I click on it it gave me an error saying "\\NameOfNetwork is not accessable. You might not have permission to use this network. Contact the admin of this server to find out if you have access permissions"
I've followed all network setup walkthroughs I could find on the net but everytime it doesn't work.
I throw myself on the intelligence and wisdom of the Nets and Comms faithful........am I doing something stupidly wrong here

Thanks in Advance
HB

ZENER

Can you connect to the 'net on both machines ?

ZEN

hamsterboy

Yep, both laptops connect to the net through an eircom netopia wireless router.
I'm not a techless beginner but this has me stumped. I know it should be easy but yet...........any help would be great

rmacm

What OS are you using on the machines? I'm in the process of writing a tutorial on file sharing although progress is slow at the moment because I'm drinking and watching telly but I'll try and have it posted by the end of the week.

hamsterboy

Hey rmacm
Both machines running XP Home Edition
Here's hoping the beer runs out and the T.V. gets crappy (crappier?)

Cheers
HB

ZENER

hamsterboy wrote: »

Yep, both laptops connect to the net through an eircom netopia wireless router.
I'm not a techless beginner but this has me stumped. I know it should be easy but yet...........any help would be great

Then both computers are at least on the same network so it's fairly straightforward after that. We first need to put them in the same Workgroup and this is done by clicking the System control panel or by right-clicking My Computer on the desktop and going to Properties in the drop down menu. You should get this :



Click the tab called Computer Name. You see this:


Decide on a workgroup name - MSHOME is a common one but it can be anything without spaces in it. Once decided enter this name on both machines.
Click the "Change" button, You should see this :



and enter this name in the "Workgroup" field. You can also give your computers a recognizable name to help identify it easier in the browser.

A restart will be required. Once the machines are back up they should be visible in the My Network Area. This might take a minute to happen while the machines elect a master browser among them so if you get an error at first, leave it a minute.

Now we need to share something on each machine - for example you need to copy stuff from my documents so we'll share your My Documents Folder.

Right-click its icon on the desktop and select the Properties option from the drop-down menu. Then select the Sharing tab on the resulting Window.



Click the line that reads:

" If you understand the security risks but want to share . . . etc"

Then click

"Just enable File sharing."

When you return the options have changed and you now have:

"Share this folder on the network." You need to tick this one.

You also have:

"Allow network users to change my files." This is optional and self explanatory. If left off you won't for example be able to directly edit a file on the remote computer.

Click Ok and your done. This is the most basic way to share a folder, there are more secure ways. If you need the added security come back and we'll see you right.

ZEN

hamsterboy

Wow, great post ZENER.
In work ATM but will give it a shot soon as I get home.

Cheers
HB

rmacm

ZENER wrote: »

Snip...tutorial stuff

ZEN

There's the XP part of what I'm writing done....mind if I add it to mine ZENER? I'll sticky the thread when I'm done.

ZENER

If it works then feel free. I've corrected a couple of typos and included a picture of the Workgroup Name Change panel for clarity, . . . a picture paints a thousand words and all that jazz.

My instructions are based on experience from XP Pro - afaik the only difference with XP Home is that it can't join a domain, I think these directions should be fine though.

On the Mac forum we regularly get requests for assistance to get Mac OS and Windows to talk to each other so if there's anyone looking for help or with experience to share in this area please feel free to drop over.

ZEN

hamsterboy

Well I tried that process ZENER and guess what, same thing happened. I can see my computer in my girlfriends computer Workspace computers but cannot click into it, and I can't see her machine on mine at all.........what the hell is going on

ZENER

What does happen when you open My Network Places on the Desktop ? On the left you see an option "View Workgroup Computers" is this correct ? Is there anything in there ? Are you asked for a password ?

If you have firewall software installed it's possible it's blocking this type of traffic. Temporarily disable it to see if that's blocking the connections.

If all you have is Windows Firewall enabled then disable it by:

Right-click "My Network Places" and select Properties from the drop-down menu. Find your wireless connection in this window and again Right-Click > Properties:



Select the "Advanced" tab:



And then "Settings" :



Click the "Off (not recommended)" switch. We'll enable it again later if this works.

Try this and see if the machines see each other this way. If this doesn't work enable the firewall again before coming back onto the 'net to tell us.

ZEN

hamsterboy

Will try this this evening and get back

Cheers Again

HB

hamsterboy

Forgot to mention that I'm running Comodo Firewall on both machines, dunno if it makes any difference

rmacm

hamsterboy wrote: »

Forgot to mention that I'm running Comodo Firewall on both machines, dunno if it makes any difference

Yeah it would make a difference. You'll have to open the correct ports in Comodo to allow file sharing on your local network. I can't remember how to do it off the top of my head and the only machine I have at the moment is a work one so I won't be installing Comodo on it. The manual for Comodo will probably help you do this.

hamsterboy

Thanks for your help everyone. Sorted out the Comodo settings and now its sharing like a two bit hooker....... cheers mate

HB

ZENER

hamsterboy wrote: »

. . . . Sorted out the Comodo settings and now its sharing like a two bit hooker.......

heh heh I like the way your mind works

ZEN