Home networking & file sharing on XP Pro

[Guest]

I have three computers, one hard wired to a router and the other two are
wireless.

I used the instructions on this site:
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1427&page=1

I've set the workgroup name on all computers. I've shared folders on each
computers (I also unchecked "use simple file sharing" in the tools- folder
options-simple file sharing).

When I'm on the wireless computers I can go to my network places-view
workgroup computers and I can see the other wireless computer but no the hard
wired one. And when I'm in the hard wired one it can't see any other
computers in the workgroup, not even itself.
Also when I'm in the wireless computer and try to click on the other
wireless computer it prompts me for a username and a password. I didn't set a
password on these computers at all.

What am I doing wrong? Can someone please help me?

 

[Malke]

I have three computers, one hard wired to a router and the other two
are wireless.

I used the instructions on this site:
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1427&page=1

I've set the workgroup name on all computers. I've shared folders on
each computers (I also unchecked "use simple file sharing" in the
tools- folder options-simple file sharing).

When I'm on the wireless computers I can go to my network places-view
workgroup computers and I can see the other wireless computer but no
the hard wired one. And when I'm in the hard wired one it can't see
any other computers in the workgroup, not even itself.
Also when I'm in the wireless computer and try to click on the other
wireless computer it prompts me for a username and a password. I
didn't set a password on these computers at all.

What am I doing wrong? Can someone please help me?

Create identical user accounts and passwords on all machines. If you
have machines where you didn't set a password, create one and set the
machines to log in automatically for convenience if so preferred.

Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) -
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm

Malke

 

[Guest]

Still doesn't work

Create identical user accounts and passwords on all machines. If you
have machines where you didn't set a password, create one and set the
machines to log in automatically for convenience if so preferred.

Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) -
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

 

[Malke]

Still doesn't work

Then you are doing something wrong. Please refer to these general
troubleshooting steps and if that doesn't solve your problem, go
through the troubleshooter at MVP Hans-Georg Michna's site (link at
end).

First check for a misconfigured firewall. Run the Network Setup Wizard
on all computers, making sure to enable File & Printer Sharing, and
reboot. I believe with Win2k you will need to create the settings
manually, but I don't remember and my Win2k box isn't on the network so
I can't check for you. If you can't run the Setup Wizard on 2k, then
you know it won't work on that OS. Running the Setup Wizard turns on
the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party
firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like
Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. If you have
third-party firewall software, configure it to allow the Local Area
Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my firewalls with an
IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would
substitute your correct subnet. You need to configure the firewalls on
all your computers, naturally.

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. However, Win2k doesn't have this "feature"
and authenticates by username and password. Make sure you have created
identical user accounts and passwords on all machines. Make sure you
have not made any typos.

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. If you don't have any Home machines, then you
may need to check the sharing/security properties on the shares and add
Everyone with full permissions (if security is not a high priority such
as in a home network).

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke