Help - Home Network access trouble

[User66]

We have a home network setup with a PC (XP op sys) as the network server and couple of other PCs (XP
op sys) and a laptop, running Vista Home Premium. We can transfer files and use a common printer on
the server from all of these PCs and the laptop. Our problem is, the Laptop is running Vista. We
can transfer files from the laptop to other PCs, but cannot transfer any file to it, nor can we
reach the USB plug in printer on the laptop.

In laptop, as I click on the Network icon, I can see all other PCs under the common workgroup, and
as I click on any of the icons, it opens the documents and the printer icons.

As I tried to create a shortcut icon for the laptop on another PC, network finds the laptop and
creates an icon. But when I click on this icon, it says :-

"\\laptop-1 is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact
the administrator of the server to find out if you have access permissions"

Since I am the administrator, and I do have permission for all of the PCs and the laptop in this
little network, how do I let the Vista op system know about it? Any idea what to do to make the
laptop open for file transfer?

Appreciate help and comments.

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings,
http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is
allowed to be shared.
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx
Windows XP File Sharing -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[User66]

Thank you so much. I have rechecked the settings as described
on -http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx
I am now able to enter my laptop from other PCs in the network.

But I am having problem with the Print Spooler. As I try the following to load a network printer,
:- Start, Printers, Add a printer, it asks, Add a local printer or Add a network, wireless or
Bluetooth printer. I choose a network printer, it shows the available printers..., I choose the HP
LaserJet 1020, and it says connecting, but that is the end of it. The description of the error is
:-

"Windows cannot connect to the printer. The local print spooler service is not running. Please
restart the spooler or restart the machine."

How do I restart the print spooler without restarting the laptop?

Any suggestions?

 

[Eric Cross]

Hello User66,

If you haven't already, please see on the Print Spooler error:
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=716675&SiteID=17