Networking Problems

[Grey]

I have two computers called PC and Laptop. I want a LAN connection between
the two. Both are running XP Pro SP1. I have a crossover cable connected.
The PC has a shared drive M: and the Laptop has a drive F:.

On the PC, I have run the Network Setup Wizard and have established a
connection to the Laptop and using my PC I can download and pull off files
on the laptop F: drive.

So far so good.

However, I would like the reverse to happen and allow my Laptop to connect
to my PC, but it just won't work. I run the network setup wizard, but it
doesn't do anything. If I open My Network Places>Entire Network>Microsoft
Windows Network, click on the Mshome (I have left the default name), I can
see my PC and laptop. Click on the PC icon and I hit a Username/Password
box. As nothing I have is passworded, nothing I can type in works.

Both drives are NTFS, but on my PC, my M: in properties has a Security tab
(which my laptop F: doesn't). I have fiddled with the permissions to allow
everyone full permissions, but I'm basically stuck.

Having sorted this out, my next step would be to get my laptop to use my
PC's printer and internet connection.

Does anyone have any ideas what I'm doing wrong? I did hear that SP2 has
sorted some problems out in this area, but I don't want to upgrade for the
moment.

Thanks in advance,

Graham

 

[Malke]

I have two computers called PC and Laptop. I want a LAN connection
between the two. Both are running XP Pro SP1. I have a crossover cable
connected. The PC has a shared drive M: and the Laptop has a drive F:.

On the PC, I have run the Network Setup Wizard and have established a
connection to the Laptop and using my PC I can download and pull off
files on the laptop F: drive.

So far so good.

However, I would like the reverse to happen and allow my Laptop to
connect to my PC, but it just won't work. I run the network setup
wizard, but it doesn't do anything. If I open My Network Places>Entire
Network>Microsoft Windows Network, click on the Mshome (I have left
the default name), I can see my PC and laptop. Click on the PC icon
and I hit a Username/Password box. As nothing I have is passworded,
nothing I can type in works.

Both drives are NTFS, but on my PC, my M: in properties has a Security
tab (which my laptop F: doesn't). I have fiddled with the permissions
to allow everyone full permissions, but I'm basically stuck.

Having sorted this out, my next step would be to get my laptop to use
my PC's printer and internet connection.

Does anyone have any ideas what I'm doing wrong? I did hear that SP2
has sorted some problems out in this area, but I don't want to upgrade
for the moment.

The only thing you left out was the version of each XP. From your
description of the Desktop (having the security tab), I'm guessing that
it is either Pro or Media Center and your laptop is Home. On the
Desktop, look at Folder Options>View and see whether Simple Sharing is
enabled. If it is not, enable it and see if you can connect without
request for authentication. If you can't, post back and include the
versions of each XP.

Malke

 

[Glen]

While sorting out network problems it is advisable to uninstall third party
firewalls and only use the XP firewall or disconect from the internet and
dont use a firewall till the problem is sorted. The XP firewall is just as
strong for inbound traffic as third party firewall and works better with ICS
than third party firewalls. Once you get the network problems sorted you can
install any firewall you want and if you loose connection you know where the
problem is. Don't just disable third party firewalls as some still have
componants running which interfere with network connectivity.

 

[Merlin]

The only thing you left out was the version of each XP. > Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

 

[Malke]

Thanks Merlin - I missed that. The answer as to what the OP should do is
the same - check to make sure that both Simple Sharing settings are
identical. It sounds like one is enabled and the other isn't.

Malke

 

[Grey]

Thanks Merlin - I missed that. The answer as to what the OP should do is
the same - check to make sure that both Simple Sharing settings are
identical. It sounds like one is enabled and the other isn't.

Malke
--

Got it! That's exactly what it was! Tick the box and there it goes. I
suppose it's easy if you know how...

Another question I have is why does it take so long when I plug the lead
into either PC until it becomes useable. We are talking 30-45secs here, but
when you're waiting for it, it seems an age.

Big thanks to all those who replied.

Graham

 

[Malke]

Got it! That's exactly what it was! Tick the box and there it goes. I
suppose it's easy if you know how...

Another question I have is why does it take so long when I plug the
lead into either PC until it becomes useable. We are talking 30-45secs
here, but when you're waiting for it, it seems an age.

I'm not sure what you mean by "plug the lead". It sounds like you have
the DNS set incorrectly or one of the machines is looking to get its IP
address from a DHCP server, which naturally doesn't exist in your
setup. By going back to your first post, I see that you are using a
crossover cable and ICS. If you have broadband, you'd do better to just
buy a router and use straight-through cable, have the router be the
DHCP server (assigning IP addresses). Then you won't have the delay.

With networking, IMO the best way is the easiest and most standard way.

Malke