Printer/File Sharing No Longer Working

[SamanthaMac]

I work in a small office. We have three computers (two desktop and one
laptop, all using Windows XP). Due to the layout of the office, the printers
are both connected to one desktop.

We can all connect to the internet with no problems, but as of Wednesday we
are no longer able to connect to the other computers (shared files, printer,
etc).

I have run the network set up wizard multiple times on each computer, trying
to get it to work, but without success.

The computers are able to ping each other, and I have confirmed that they
all have the same network name. File and printer sharing IS enabled. We can
each connect to the internet with no problems (secure network), but they no
longer wish to speak to each other. This is NOT the first time this has
happened, but I was able to get things to work properly before. Now, for
whatever reason, I can't.

Any ideas or suggestions on what I can do to correct this?

 

[John Wunderlich]

I work in a small office. We have three computers (two desktop and
one laptop, all using Windows XP). Due to the layout of the
office, the printers are both connected to one desktop.

We can all connect to the internet with no problems, but as of
Wednesday we are no longer able to connect to the other computers
(shared files, printer, etc).

I have run the network set up wizard multiple times on each
computer, trying to get it to work, but without success.

The computers are able to ping each other, and I have confirmed
that they all have the same network name. File and printer sharing
IS enabled. We can each connect to the internet with no problems
(secure network), but they no longer wish to speak to each other.
This is NOT the first time this has happened, but I was able to
get things to work properly before. Now, for whatever reason, I
can't.

Any ideas or suggestions on what I can do to correct this?

First, I assume that when you state "all have the same network name",
you are referring to the "Workgroup" name and not the "Computer"
name...

Sometimes I find that trying to connect manually from a Command window
will give an error message that helps discover the cause.

Bring up a command window:
Start->Run->cmd <OK>

and enter the command:
net use \\computername\sharename

where "computername" is the name of the computer that you are trying to
connect to and "sharename" is the shared name of the folder or printer
that you are trying to connect to. See what kind of a response you
get.

HTH,
John

 

[Tony]

in message

First, I assume that when you state "all have the same network name",
you are referring to the "Workgroup" name and not the "Computer"
name...

Sometimes I find that trying to connect manually from a Command window
will give an error message that helps discover the cause.

Bring up a command window:
Start->Run->cmd <OK>

and enter the command:
net use \\computername\sharename

where "computername" is the name of the computer that you are trying to
connect to and "sharename" is the shared name of the folder or printer
that you are trying to connect to. See what kind of a response you
get.

HTH,
John

I have a similar problem with a 3 computer wired network. I can browse files from the
other computers from Windows Explorer, but I cannot open the files or do any file
transfers.

When I do \\computername\sharename from the command prompt, I get the response:
"the network path was not found"

meanwhile, I *CAN* see those files from Windows Explorer!!!!

Any suggestions???

 

[John Wunderlich]

I have a similar problem with a 3 computer wired network. I can
browse files from the other computers from Windows Explorer, but I
cannot open the files or do any file transfers.

When I do \\computername\sharename from the command prompt, I get
the response: "the network path was not found"

meanwhile, I *CAN* see those files from Windows Explorer!!!!

Any suggestions???

Typing \\computername\sharename does not work from a command prompt.
Either enter it in the Start->Run box or open an Explorer window and
type it in the Address box.

Check your file permissions and share permissions. If using XP Home,
make sure the Guest account is not disabled.

HTH,
John