Problem Comparing Shared Files.

[Joseph Carrier]

Before my File-Sharing Network on my XP SP2 Home machines miraculously
revived, I had done a lot of experimenting. Some of that experimenting
seems to have messed up the ability to compare some shared, same-named,
folders. on a single computer

Here's my attempt to give a clear illustration of my problem:

I have two computers: "Desktop" and "Laptop." I have two same-named folders
on each computer: "Alpha" and "Beta."

If I click on the two machines' "My Network Places" in the Start Window, I
see Icons for the Alpha and Beta for each machine. There is one critical
difference in the icons, however: Alpha is shown in Desktop as "Alpha
(laptop)" and in Laptop as in "Alpha" (desktop.)" Beta, however, is shown
on both machines as "Beta (laptop.)"

I can open two Explorer Windows on Desktop and make a side-by-side
comparison of the two computers' Alpha folder. I cannot do that with the
Beta folder.

What can I do to make the Beta folder function in the same way as Alpha?
Succeeding in doing that would, I'm fairly certain, make Beta show up as
"Beta (desktop)" on the laptop, but I'm very uncertain about how to make
that happen.

Any suggestions?

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

I have two computers: "Desktop" and "Laptop." I have two same-named folders
on each computer: "Alpha" and "Beta."

If I click on the two machines' "My Network Places" in the Start Window, I
see Icons for the Alpha and Beta for each machine. There is one critical
difference in the icons, however: Alpha is shown in Desktop as "Alpha
(laptop)" and in Laptop as in "Alpha" (desktop.)" Beta, however, is shown
on both machines as "Beta (laptop.)"

Joseph,

I would first delete both the suspicious Beta folders from My
Network Places. Then navigate to them through the workgroup and
try again.

If you fear to lose data by mistakenly deleting the data, rather
than the network folder reference, you can make a backup copy of
the data first and, for the other computer, pull the network
cable temporarily.

Hans-Georg

 

[jercarrier]

Hans-Georg,

Thanks for your response.

Your suggestions make sense as usual, but my technical competence in
this area extends to knowing exactly how to highlight and delete a file
or folder, but becomes very shaky beyond that level.

I first set up my file sharing network more than three years ago, at
which time I used a dial-up connection and had a crossover cable
between the two computers, (At that time, you were very helpful in
setting up a file-sharing network ). About a year ago, I got a
broadband, DSL, connection but the file-sharing network seemed to
migrate to the wireless system without intervention on my part.
Anyway, I've now forgotten how to "navigate them through the
workgroup." Could you outline the steps to refresh my memory?

I often become confused about the meaning of the term "network" in
these discussions. My computers are linked to the Internet by a
wireless "network;" the desktop connected to the router by cable and
the laptop connected by wireless card. Then, I also have a
File-and-Printer-Sharing "network," consisting of the desktop and
laptop, whereby, I suppose, they communicate with each other
"wirelessly." In your last paragraph, could you possibly mean that I
should diconnect the cable connecting the desktop to the router?

Best regards,
Joseph

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

Your suggestions make sense as usual, but my technical competence in
this area extends to knowing exactly how to highlight and delete a file
or folder, but becomes very shaky beyond that level.

Joseph,

forget about the other stuff I wrote and simply delete the two
offending Beta folders in My Network Places. That should work.

Windows may complain about some system file in each folder, but
just insist on deleting them.

Hans-Georg

 

[Joseph Carrier]

Hans-Georg,

Thank you. I deleted the files and didn't even get a Windows complaint.

Joseph Carrier