Faulty file-sharing

[jeh]

I have a Desktop and a Laptop in a two-machine network. I have shared
folders on both computers. From the Laptop I can see and use the
shared folders on the Desktop but from the Desktop I can no longer see
the shared folders on the Laptop (I could up to a few days ago).

The Desktop is connected by ethernet to a LinkSys wireless router,
while the Laptop connects to the world wirelessly via the router.
Both computers use XP Pro SP3, fully updated. Both run ZoneAlarm free
with the trusted zone set on each to the usual 192 range. I've
checked that the Laptop IP is within ZoneAlarm's Trusted range on the
Desktop and vici-versa. I can ping each machine from the other. I'm
not aware of any changes that could have caused the partial loss of
sharing, other than I had to Restore back past the recent out-of-cycle
MS XP upgrade on the Laptop while chasing down another problem. I've
since restored the upgrade.

This one has me baffled, and I've not found an answer in the group or
elsewhere on the web (perhaps I've used the wrong key-words in the
search)

Any ideas anyone?

TIA John

 

[Andrew E.]

A pc user network uses "cross-over cable" not ethernet,the two look exactly
the same but they are not.Also,chk youre exception tab in xp firewall,add for
the network if not checked already.

 

[jeh]

  A pc user network uses "cross-over cable" not ethernet,the two look exactly
 the same but they are not.Also,chk youre exception tab in xp firewall,add for
 the network if not checked already.

Thanks. Because I'm using Zone Alarm the XP firewall is turned off on
both machines.
John

 

[Ken Blake]

A pc user network uses "cross-over cable" not ethernet,

Nonsense! Regular non-crossover ethernet cables can be, and most often are,
used.

Crossover cables *can* be used, but only if the following two criteria are
met:

1. The network consists of two computers only, not more than two.

2. The two computers are connected dirtectly, not via a hub or router.

Jeh is using a router, and even though he has only two computers, using
crossover cable is *not* an option for him.