Can't get computers to talk to each other...

[Guest]

I have 4 computers that I want to connect via a network.
#1 Main computer runs win XP media center 2004
#2 second desktop is running Win XP SP1
#3 Laptop 1 is running Win XP Pro SP1
#4 Laptop 2 is running Win XP Home SP2

I am using a wireless router with 4 ports, Linksys WRT54G, and a cable modem.
I have enabled encryption and all 4 computers use the same key.
Comp #1 is hard wired to the router. It is able to connect to the internet.
Comp #2 has wireless connection (801.11b, usb) Able to connect to internet
through the routers network.
Comp #3 has wireless connection (802.11b, usb), able to connect to internet
through the routers network.
Comp#4 has built in wireless, able to connect to internet through the
routers network.

My problem is, THEY DON'T CONNECT TO EACH OTHER!!!! I have had all but comp
#3 connected to a network previously, but have moved since then. I was able
to access internet and all shared files at that time.
How do I get them to share files and printers? What am I doing wrong? I
have run the wireless network set up wizard, and the regular network setup
wizard on all computers. I ran both on comp #1, then used a flash drive to
set up the other computers. After they didn't work this way I set them all
up manually. They all use the same WEP key for the wireless settings (so
does the router) and they all belong to the same workgroup for the other
settings. They all also have file and printer sharing enabled.
Any help would be much appreciated. If you need more info, feel free to
post what you need.
Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Sorry, comp #1 is Win XP Media Center 2005, and
comp #2 has Win XP home edition, SP2.

 

[Guest]

Well, I have an update...
I can get two of the wireless computers to see each other.
The wireless desktop (#2) and the laptop w/ built in wireless (#4).
I hooked up laptop to #1 with ethernet, through the router, and it still
couldn't see it (laptop to #1).
Any suggestions.

 

[Guest]

I still haven't tried #3 again yet, but #2 & #4 can see and access each
other. #1 can see, but not access #2 or #4. I think that #3 will probably
cooperate with #2 & #4. #1 is the only one hardwired to the router. The
other 3 are wireless. I'm looking at your links in your post right now,
trying to figure this all out.

 

[Chuck]

I have 4 computers that I want to connect via a network.
#1 Main computer runs win XP media center 2004
#2 second desktop is running Win XP SP1
#3 Laptop 1 is running Win XP Pro SP1
#4 Laptop 2 is running Win XP Home SP2

I am using a wireless router with 4 ports, Linksys WRT54G, and a cable modem.
I have enabled encryption and all 4 computers use the same key.
Comp #1 is hard wired to the router. It is able to connect to the internet.
Comp #2 has wireless connection (801.11b, usb) Able to connect to internet
through the routers network.
Comp #3 has wireless connection (802.11b, usb), able to connect to internet
through the routers network.
Comp#4 has built in wireless, able to connect to internet through the
routers network.

My problem is, THEY DON'T CONNECT TO EACH OTHER!!!! I have had all but comp
#3 connected to a network previously, but have moved since then. I was able
to access internet and all shared files at that time.
How do I get them to share files and printers? What am I doing wrong? I
have run the wireless network set up wizard, and the regular network setup
wizard on all computers. I ran both on comp #1, then used a flash drive to
set up the other computers. After they didn't work this way I set them all
up manually. They all use the same WEP key for the wireless settings (so
does the router) and they all belong to the same workgroup for the other
settings. They all also have file and printer sharing enabled.
Any help would be much appreciated. If you need more info, feel free to
post what you need.
Thanks.

You probably have a misconfigured or overlooked personal firewall, or other
security component. There are several other possibilities too, and any might be
the cause of your problem. Read this article with an open mind.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html

Is NetBT Enabled on all computers?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html

You could look at "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all" from each computer, and
diagnose the problem. Read this article, and linked articles, and follow
instructions precisely (download browstat!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp