network sharing problem

[Guest]

Hi,
After a summer of rebuilding my computer I am back to setting up my file &
printer sharing between my laptop and desktop.
Details are:-
Same workgroup called "HOME"
Each computer with unique names
Both access via wireless network
Printer attached to desktop
Windows firewall disabled
McAFee antivirus set to trust IP range
pinged successfully frmo desktop but from laptop can't get a reply back from
desktop.
Currently testing using shared documents all configured to be shared to test
file sharing.
Used the microsoft home network wizard to set things up on each computer.
Desktop can access files on laptop but laptop can't access desktop files
even though they are visible. Under "my network places" there is a sub
heading- 'INTERNET' but not a subheading 'Local Network' which i am used to.
I locate the folders (servers of each computer) through accessing lower down
folders within network places under microsoft windows network where I can
actually see the shared network called "HOME". Can't seem to resolve this
never mind getting back to sharing the printer. On the printer front, the
laptop can see the printer when trying Add printer but when selected it
reports an invalid printer name!!
Can anyone give me fresh direction?
It would be gratefully appreciated
many thanks in advance
KD

 

[zuben3]

Hi,
After a summer of rebuilding my computer I am back to setting up my file &
printer sharing between my laptop and desktop.
Details are:-
Same workgroup called "HOME"
Each computer with unique names
Both access via wireless network
Printer attached to desktop
Windows firewall disabled
McAFee antivirus set to trust IP range
pinged successfully frmo desktop but from laptop can't get a reply back from
desktop.
Currently testing using shared documents all configured to be shared to test
file sharing.
Used the microsoft home network wizard to set things up on each computer.
Desktop can access files on laptop but laptop can't access desktop files
even though they are visible. Under "my network places" there is a sub
heading- 'INTERNET' but not a subheading 'Local Network' which i am used to.
I locate the folders (servers of each computer) through accessing lower down
folders within network places under microsoft windows network where I can
actually see the shared network called "HOME". Can't seem to resolve this
never mind getting back to sharing the printer. On the printer front, the
laptop can see the printer when trying Add printer but when selected it
reports an invalid printer name!!
Can anyone give me fresh direction?
It would be gratefully appreciated
many thanks in advance
KD

- What OS for each? Vista, XP Home, XP Pro SP2?

- They both connect wirelessly, even the desktop? DHCP?

- Does the WAP have encryption settings you need to reconfigure after
your rebuilds?

- Invalid printer name error sounds like an older OS is in play.
NetBIOS issue? What is the share name of the printer?

- Try connecting your profile to the shared printer through the
network browser instead of using the Add Printer wizard. No drivers
needed!

- Check permissions on both computers for the respective profiles. Add
them to Administrators group if they're limited user accounts.

- Can help more if I know the OSs for both computers.

 

[Guest]

Both computers are windows XP home with service pack 2.
Desktop is using a netgear WG111v2 adaptor. Have previously configured file
& printer sharing successfully i.e. before rebuilding computer. Network is
WEP encrypted with named IP addresses only for authorised access. This looks
okay as they both connect.
Yes DHCP
not sure how to go about connecting my profile through the network browser.
thanks again
KD

 

[zuben3]

Both computers are windows XP home with service pack 2.
Desktop is using a netgear WG111v2 adaptor. Have previously configured file
& printer sharing successfully i.e. before rebuilding computer. Network is
WEP encrypted with named IP addresses only for authorised access. This looks
okay as they both connect.
Yes DHCP
not sure how to go about connecting my profile through the network browser.
thanks again
KD

not sure if you can do this in XP Home, but to connect a user profile
w/out drivers to a shared printer on the network, just browse through
your network to the computer sharing the printer, open up its shares,
right click on the printer you want to connect to, and cllick
"connect". i have never tried this on a workgroup network before, so a
preemptive apology if it doesn't work!

how about the printer's share name? and did you set permissions for
the share?

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network
settings,http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is
allowed to be shared.
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/evaluate/vista_fp.mspx
Basic XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/filesharing.mspx
Advanced XP - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Guest]

Printer share name is EPSONSty. When i went through ADD PRINTER there was/is
no option regading permissions.
I get the idea of connecting a user profile to the printer now.
Unfortunately I seem to have lost access to the desktop server from my
laptop. I will see if I can get it back and try again. Through the desktop I
can still access all of laptop files etc. but laptop cant access desktop.
Double checked firewalls etc. nothing amiss there it seems.
JACK (MVP) - thanks for links I shall have a look through these. Some I have
already visited.
many thanks
KD

 

[zuben3]

Printer share name is EPSONSty. When i went through ADD PRINTER there was/is
no option regading permissions.
I get the idea of connecting a user profile to the printer now.
Unfortunately I seem to have lost access to the desktop server from my
laptop. I will see if I can get it back and try again. Through the desktop I
can still access all of laptop files etc. but laptop cant access desktop.
Double checked firewalls etc. nothing amiss there it seems.
JACK (MVP) - thanks for links I shall have a look through these. Some I have
already visited.
many thanks
KD

unfortunately, with XP Home, or with XP Pro w/Simple File Sharing
enabled, there isn't a security tab or other means to set permissions
that i'm aware of.

i don't often come across XP Home computers, nor workgroup networks,
so i apologize if i'm a bit clumsy--my only disclaimer: i've been up
all night and i'm in a fugue state at this point

 

[Guest]

Worth an update on my position.
Desktop can access laptop folders no problem. Laptop can see desktop network
places but can't access them. Windows firewall turned off, McAfee configured
to allow access through router. Laptop can successfully ping anything but
desktop. Desktop can ping all succesfully. All info on internet i can find
tells me it should work but it doesn't. Still can't access desktop folder
from laptop and all permissions that i have control over are set to shared.
Any more ideas please?

 

[Guest]

Worth an update on my position.
Desktop can access laptop folders no problem. Laptop can see desktop network
places but can't access them. Windows firewall turned off, McAfee configured
to allow access through router. Laptop can successfully ping anything but
desktop. Desktop can ping all succesfully. All info on internet i can find
tells me it should work but it doesn't. Still can't access desktop folder
from laptop and all permissions that i have control over are set to shared.
Any more ideas please?

Hi,

It seems pretty certain that the problem is with the desktop's setup.
Possibly McAfee on the desktop is not properly configured to allow access.

1. Can you give us the exact error message you get when trying to connect
to network shares on the desktop?

2. Try disabling McAfee on the desktop (temporarily) to see if that solves
it -- if so, McAfee is not configured properly.

3. Are you trying to ping the desktop by IP or by computer name? Try both.
What is the error you are getting when doing this?

4. Give us the "ipconfig" details for your laptop. Specifically, what the
IP address, default gateway, and if any DNS or WINS servers are configured.

You might also want to try this networking troubleshooter (which I found
yesterday):

http://www.winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Best Wishes,
Kurosh

 

[Guest]

Brilliant!
Temporarily turned McAfee off and pinged successfully. Compared latop mcAfee
settings to deskop and it was the trusted IP settings where the problem was.
Although on the desktop the network IP range was there for trusted IPS the
box wasn't ticked. Ticked it and pressed 'apply' and it all instantly worked.
Sometimes I guess its the simplest of things that can cause you the biggest
of trouble
Many thanks
KD

 

[Guest]

Brilliant!
Temporarily turned McAfee off and pinged successfully. Compared latop mcAfee
settings to deskop and it was the trusted IP settings where the problem was.
Although on the desktop the network IP range was there for trusted IPS the
box wasn't ticked. Ticked it and pressed 'apply' and it all instantly worked.
Sometimes I guess its the simplest of things that can cause you the biggest
of trouble
Many thanks
KD

You're welcome. Glad you got everything sorted out.

Best Wishes,
Kurosh