Another Network Problem

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Guest

I am trying to set up a network with two pc's, neither are connected to the
internet, or have 3rd party firewalls. You may have to bear with me as I am a
newbie at this.

I am trying to connect my desktop running XP Home, to my laptop running XP
Pro. I have completed the create new network wizard on both computers -
although on the desktop I had a print spooler error which meand I had to turn
the spooler off.

If I go into my workgroup computers, my laptop can only see itself. My
desktop can also see itself and the laptop, but when I click on it, I am told
I do not have permission to access the network. I have gone into the control
panel and user accounts and turned guests on.

What else do I need to do?
 
Graeme said:
I am trying to set up a network with two pc's, neither are connected to the
internet, or have 3rd party firewalls. You may have to bear with me as I am a
newbie at this.

I am trying to connect my desktop running XP Home, to my laptop running XP
Pro. I have completed the create new network wizard on both computers -
although on the desktop I had a print spooler error which meand I had to turn
the spooler off.

If I go into my workgroup computers, my laptop can only see itself. My
desktop can also see itself and the laptop, but when I click on it, I am told
I do not have permission to access the network. I have gone into the control
panel and user accounts and turned guests on.

What else do I need to do?
Click to expand...

1. How are you physically connecting the two computers? If you are
connecting them directly to each other without going through a hub or
router, you need to use crossover ethernet cable, not the normal
straight-through cable.

2. If you are connecting directly or through a hub (not a router),
assign static IP addresses to each computer, making sure they are in the
same subnet; i.e, 192.168.1.12 and 192.168.1.13.

3. You say there are no firewalls. Be sure this is really true; recent
antivirus programs such as Norton and McAfee have a firewall component
that need to be configured. Otherwise, make sure the Windows Firewall is
set for file/printer sharing. There is no need to turn it off.

4. Since you have XP Home and Pro, see this:

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center:

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
Simple File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it matters
in your situation.

Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
Shared Documents folder.


Malke
 
Thanks for repying.

1. I am connecting directly and am using a cross-over cable. I know this
works as I used to use this to connect two other pc's.

2. Neither pc has any virus software installed as they have never been
connected to the internet, nor have cd / floppy drives installed as a
previous security precaution with our data. This data have now been moved to
a seperate server, so would now like to connect these onto their own network.
 
Graeme said:
Thanks for repying.

1. I am connecting directly and am using a cross-over cable. I know this
works as I used to use this to connect two other pc's.

2. Neither pc has any virus software installed as they have never been
connected to the internet, nor have cd / floppy drives installed as a
previous security precaution with our data. This data have now been moved to
a seperate server, so would now like to connect these onto their own network.
Click to expand...

Then if:

1. You have set file/printer sharing correctly;
2. and assigned static IPs;
3. and created identical user account names/passwords;
4. and created shares giving Everyone full access
5. and are sure that the network adapters are properly installed and
working on both computers;
6. and the two computers are on the same subnet without any typos;

this should work. If you still cannot do it - and I'm sorry, but there
is obviously something you're missing because networking directly works
just fine - either go through MVP Hans-Georg Michna's network
troubleshooter or have a professional come on-site to set you up.

http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke
 
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