How to access files after successful dialup connection

[Guest]

When two computers are connected in a simple dialup, what must you do to
"see" the server computer's files at the client computer?

I've managed to connect a computer with Windows XP (Home) with Windows Me
over phone lines. But I don't know what to do to access files. On a hunch I
tried "\\Don" (My user name on the server computer), but this brings a
message that I'm not logged on.

I tried making sure some files on the server were "shared." I've produced a
folder whose icon has a human hand on the underside, indicating shared.
Still no access.

What is it that I'm not understanding?

 

[Ken J]

Don, this can be problematic, but you need to do the basics of networking.

1) What's your workgroup? Both computers must be in the same workgroup.

2) What's the computer name on each end? Each computer has an individual name. "Don" as your logon is not necessarily the computername. For instance, if you open IE on the server and type in \\don, do you see those shares? If you type in \\<computername> you should see shared folders.

Another way to look for a computer is to open Start, Find, Computer or on XP Start, Search, Computers & People, etc.

Another way is to open a DOS prompt (or Start, Run, CMD on XP) and type NET VIEW to see which computers you can see.

Follow NET VIEW with NET VIEW <COMPUTERNAME> for the computers you can see with NET VIEW.

3) Which computer is the server? XP or ME?

Good luck!

Ken

 

[Guest]

Under your current internet connection, properties, and general tab do you
have 'File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks' selected? This might
fix your problem. Of course, this will have to be changed on your server.

 

[Ulysses]

Maybe this is my problem (why my file sharing stopped working). I can't
find a box to check that says that! I'm using XPHE. Is it different on XP
Pro?

 

[Guest]

Thanks, redhead, for the suggestion. Yes, I do have "File and Printer
Sharing ... selected, but it took me a while to realize I had to have that,
so your suggestion miight have been just the ticket.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Ken, for a most comprehensive reply. Having followed your
suggestions, here is where I stand:

You ask me what my workgroup is. From previoius study, I conclude that
because this is a simple one-on-one hookup, I don't need a workgroup setup,
but correct me if that's wrong. In any case, how do I find out what
workgroup I'm in?

You asked which computer is host and which is client. I should have
specified. My XP is the server, and the Me is the client. Thus I can't
"see" the XP's files at the Me computer.

Trying to determine my computer name(s), from the Me computer I triey
Start/Search/ but there is no "computer" category, merely "internet" and
"people." So I invoked a DOS prompt and typed NET VIEW. The Me computer
says I must log on before performing this command! But it's the log-on that
I'm having trouble with!

So, just for curious, I got on the XP machine, got a DOS prompt, typed NET
VEW, and was told "There are no entries on the list."

Back to square one. Any more suggestions? And, THANKS!

Don P>

 

[Chuck]

When two computers are connected in a simple dialup, what must you do to
"see" the server computer's files at the client computer?

I've managed to connect a computer with Windows XP (Home) with Windows Me
over phone lines. But I don't know what to do to access files. On a hunch I
tried "\\Don" (My user name on the server computer), but this brings a
message that I'm not logged on.

I tried making sure some files on the server were "shared." I've produced a
folder whose icon has a human hand on the underside, indicating shared.
Still no access.

What is it that I'm not understanding?

Don,

When you're connected, can you successfully ping each computer by ip address
from the other? By name?

Are you running both Client for Microsoft Networks, and File and Printer Sharing
for Microsoft Networks (Local Area Connection - Properties), on each computer?

Are you running NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (Local Area Connection - Properties - TCP/IP
- Properties - Advanced - WINS) on each computer?

Make sure the browser service is running on each computer. Control Panel -
Administrative Tools - Services. Verify that the Computer Browser, and the
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper, services both show with Status = Started.

On the XP Home computer, make sure that the Guest account is enabled. Enable
Guest with Start - Run - "cmd" - type "net user guest /active:yes" in the
command window.

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF / WF, or third party)? If
so, you need to configure them for file sharing, by opening ports TCP 139, 445
and UDP 137, 138, 445, by enabling the File and Printer Sharing exception, and /
or by identifying the other computers as present in the Local (Trusted) zone.
Firewall configurations are a very common cause of (network) browser, and file
sharing, problems.

More about file sharing, between all different versions of Windows:
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...db-aef8-4bef-925e-7ac9be791028&DisplayLang=en>

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Ken J]

You ask me what my workgroup is. From previoius study, I conclude that

because this is a simple one-on-one hookup, I don't need a workgroup
setup,
but correct me if that's wrong. In any case, how do I find out what
workgroup I'm in?

I think the one-on-one is a variant of a network, and I believe you do need
a workgroup setup. Workgroup being the same is VERY important. On XP go to
System properties (or "view system information") and click on the Computer
Name tab. Note both name and workgroup. On ME, go to Control Panel,
Network icon, and click on the Identification. The workgroup must be the
same on both, the computernames must be different.

So, just for curious, I got on the XP machine, got a DOS prompt, typed NET
VEW, and was told "There are no entries on the list."

you would type NET VIEW <XP COMPUTERNAME>

Read my last message again, and Chuck also has some good things to say.

Good luck, Don!

Ken