file sharing confusion

  • Thread starter Thread starter MB_
  • Start date Start date
M

MB_

OK -- somehow I am screwing this up.

I currently have a Dell Dim 2400. It is set up for Broadband with a Lynksys
router.

I also have a new Dell Inspiron 2200 with a wireless card.

All works perfectly and I've also taken some reasonable security precautions
(MAC filtering, disabling SSID broadcasting, etc).

Now, here is what I want to do.

I have a FOLDER on my desktop. I would like to be able to share this folder.
That is, I want to be able to use this folder with my desktop or with my
wireless. Let's suppose this folder is c:\george\washington

So, now I am attempting to join the wonderful world of file sharing and I
thought I did it correctly, but maybe not.

Firstly, I turned on my desktop and then the laptop. I ran Network Setup
Wizard on my desktop. When I ran thru the steps, perhaps I should have
chosen that this computer hooks up directly to the internet. But I chose
that it hooks up to the internet via a residential gateway (the picture in
the example seemed closer to what I had, but I'm not sure). I then followed
instructions and rebooted the desktop. I then ran the Wizard on the Wireless
and I chose the same thing. (I suspect these choices might not be correct!)

I then rebooted the wireless.

I then got on the desktop, right clicked the aforementioned file in Windows
Explorer and designated it to be shared by all computers on the network.

Well, when I check on the desktop under Windows Explorer it does appear that
the folder is enabled for sharing.

But I cannot find that shared folder anywhere when I use my Wireless.

Suggestions??

Also, if I have to change some setting, do I just start all over and re-run
the Network Setup Wizard?

Mel
 
I await the replies eagerly.
I too have a similar problem but did not get a reply when I asked this
question.

Will.
 
MB_ said:
OK -- somehow I am screwing this up.

I currently have a Dell Dim 2400. It is set up for Broadband
with a Lynksys router.

I also have a new Dell Inspiron 2200 with a wireless card.

All works perfectly and I've also taken some reasonable
security precautions (MAC filtering, disabling SSID
broadcasting, etc).
Now, here is what I want to do.

I have a FOLDER on my desktop. I would like to be able to
share this folder. That is, I want to be able to use this
folder with my desktop or with my wireless. Let's suppose
this folder is c:\george\washington
So, now I am attempting to join the wonderful world of file
sharing and I thought I did it correctly, but maybe not.

Firstly, I turned on my desktop and then the laptop. I ran
Network Setup Wizard on my desktop. When I ran thru the
steps, perhaps I should have chosen that this computer hooks
up directly to the internet. But I chose that it hooks up to
the internet via a residential gateway (the picture in the
example seemed closer to what I had, but I'm not sure). I
then followed instructions and rebooted the desktop. I then
ran the Wizard on the Wireless and I chose the same thing.
(I suspect these choices might not be correct!)
I then rebooted the wireless.

I then got on the desktop, right clicked the aforementioned
file in Windows Explorer and designated it to be shared by
all computers on the network.
Well, when I check on the desktop under Windows Explorer it
does appear that the folder is enabled for sharing.

But I cannot find that shared folder anywhere when I use my
Wireless.
Suggestions??

Also, if I have to change some setting, do I just start all
over and re-run the Network Setup Wizard?

Mel
Click to expand...

If you haven't done so already, you might want to post this
question in the XP networking newsgroup:

news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web

Where on the laptop are you looking for the desktop folder?
Have you tried entering the following in the Run box,
\\desktopname\sharedfoldername (fill in the appropriate info)?
What error message is returned when you do?

Though not required, it's usually a good idea to make sure that
both computers are members of the same workgroup.

As for suggestions, have you looked at your firewall settings.
If you're running the built-in XP firewall you have to add File
and Printer sharing to the Exceptions page. If you're running a
third party firewall, check the documentation for the program
to see how to allow access from within your network.

If your firewall settings are correct, you might want to try
the following:

Go to Start -> Run and enter cmd.exe in the Open box.
Click OK.
In the command prompt window enter the following:
ipconfig /all > C:\IPINFO.txt

Do that on both machines. Then copy and paste that info into
your question to the networking newsgroup. Make sure to point
out which info goes with which computer. If you want, you can
pass that info along and I'll take a look and see if there's
anything amiss.

FYI, my understanding is
that a "residential gateway" is a term used to describe a
router. You made the correct choice.

Nepatsfan
 
SURPRISE SURPRISE.
I gave up last night.

Today I booted up and it was there and works perfectly.

Why the time lag between setting up the network and having it show up on my
wireless??

Strange!!
Apparently, I did do it right.

Will-- I guess I don't have an answer for you!

Mel
 
Back
Top