networking two computers

[tony]

Can anyone help please?

I'm trying to connect two computers with a cross-over
network.
One has xp home (1), the other xp pro (2).
2 sees itself but not 1
1 doesn't even see itself.

I have had a couple of people have a look for me but
can't see why they won't see each other.

I want to add a router etc with other printers etc later.

Any clues please

 

[Luke]

Hi,
The first thing to check is whether Windows XP has bridged your network
connection. to chekc this;
1. Open network connections
2. Check that you have a LAN connection and that there is NOT a
connection that has been bridged. (This is when two network connections
are joined together, will appear as a bridge icon).
3. If a connection has been bridged then right-hand click on the bridge
connection and choose 'disable'. Then delete it.

If this does not work then please try the following on all of the
machines:
1. Open the properties for your LAN connection
2. Remove all of the protocols, services and components in the box on
the properties page (you will not be able to remove TCP/IP in XP).
3. Then install the following:
-Client for Microsoft Networks
-File & Printer sharing....
(If the top alone don't fix the problem try adding the bottom 2 as well
below
-NWLink NetBIOS
-NWLink IPX\SPX...
4. Restart the computer (try this on all machines)

If that doesn't work then please try the following:
Check to see if Simple File Sharing (Control Panel - Folder Options -
View - Advanced settings) is enabled or disabled.
For XP Home with Simple File Sharing enabled, make sure that the Guest
account is enabled, thru Local User Manager (Start - Run -
"lusrmgr.msc"), on each computer. Do any of the computers have a
software firewall (ICF or third party)? If so, you need to configure
them for file sharing, by opening ports TCP 139, 445 and UDP 137, 138,
445, 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.

Let me know how you get on, Luke.

 

[Luke]

Hi Tony,
For item 2 I do mean under 'this connection uses'. With regards to step
5 please check the following instead:
1. Open 'My Documents'
2. Go to 'Tools' > 'Folder Options'
3. In the advanced settings box scroll down to the bottom and make sure
that 'Use simple sharing' is checked.

Let me know how you get on, Luke.

 

[Luke]

Hi Tony,
Thanks for the update. I think we'll concentrate our efforts on the XP
Home machine (the one that cannot see itself). On XP Home PC could you
please try disabling the firewall that you have installed and
re-booting. Are you using ICS (Internet Connection Sharing)? If so can
the PCs share the internet? Could you also have a look at the following
KB article for basic causes that I may have overlooked:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308007

If the above does not help then I think we will have to run some
diagnostics on the XP Home machine.

Luke.