Clues on filesharing in the home network?

[JMF]

I know there's a lot of info on this, but I can't sort it out, so I hope
somebody has a minute to point me in the right direction.

Home network, with two Win2K machines, a desktop and laptop, that
successfully share files.

I just got a new Sharp laptop that has XP Home Edition, and have added it to
the network. So far I've gotten it to share with the desktop. But it doesn't
share with the other laptop. The other laptop SEES it, but when I try to
"open" the icon for the computer, I'm told no, the path not found or
something like that.

It seems weird to me that it would work with one of the computers, but not
the other. (I would have imagined either both or none.)

Any clues to follow, info to read? Because I must admit it DOES vaguely ring
a bell, this kind of problem.

Thanks,

John

 

[Chuck]

I know there's a lot of info on this, but I can't sort it out, so I hope
somebody has a minute to point me in the right direction.

Home network, with two Win2K machines, a desktop and laptop, that
successfully share files.

I just got a new Sharp laptop that has XP Home Edition, and have added it to
the network. So far I've gotten it to share with the desktop. But it doesn't
share with the other laptop. The other laptop SEES it, but when I try to
"open" the icon for the computer, I'm told no, the path not found or
something like that.

It seems weird to me that it would work with one of the computers, but not
the other. (I would have imagined either both or none.)

Any clues to follow, info to read? Because I must admit it DOES vaguely ring
a bell, this kind of problem.

Thanks,

John

John,

This is a pretty common symptom, though there are several possible causes.
Asymmetrical accessibility, and visibility, can have numerous causes.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html>

Check for misconfigured / overlooked firewalls, and for registry setting
restrictanonymous, on each computer.
Misconfigured / overlooked firewalls:
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
Registry setting restrictanonymous:
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/restrictanonymous-and-your-server.html>

If no help yet, provide "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all" from each
computer, as a diagnostic aid. Read this article, and linked articles, and
follow instructions precisely:
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>

Please let us know if any of these suggestions are of any help. What you learn
may help others in the future, and that's the purpose of these forums.