Simple network through modem / router combo

[Guest]

What could be easier, yet I can't figure it out... I have two laptops both
running Windows XP Home. Both currently connected with ethernet cables to the
Westell modem / router combo provided by Verizon DSL. One laptop (B) has
wireless capability and can also connect to the internet that way. The
non-wireless laptop (A) has a printer attached to it. All I want is to have
the two computers connected to each other (A to B) and B connected through
the network to A's printer, with wire or wireless connection, with the help
of the router. Tried the wizards a bunch of times. No error messages. A
sometimes sees B but can't access it. I'm not a super computer person but I
can follow directions and figure out things. This has been bugging me for a
while. PLease help!

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

What could be easier, yet I can't figure it out... I have two laptops both
running Windows XP Home. Both currently connected with ethernet cables to the
Westell modem / router combo provided by Verizon DSL. One laptop (B) has
wireless capability and can also connect to the internet that way. The
non-wireless laptop (A) has a printer attached to it. All I want is to have
the two computers connected to each other (A to B) and B connected through
the network to A's printer, with wire or wireless connection, with the help
of the router. Tried the wizards a bunch of times. No error messages. A
sometimes sees B but can't access it. I'm not a super computer person but I
can follow directions and figure out things. This has been bugging me for a
while. PLease help!

Run the Network Setup Wizard on each computer. If it finds the
router's shared Internet connection, tell it to use it. Otherwise,
tell it that the computers connect to the Internet through a
residential gateway. The Wizard should share the printer and make all
the right settings.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

Also, on the wireless laptop go to Network Connections:

1. If you have a bridge installed, delete it.

2. Decide which connection you want to use, and disable the other one. It
is pointless and problematic to have two connections to the same network at
the same time.

Doug Sherman
MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

 

[Guest]

I ran it with the residential gateway thing and still nothing. When I click
on the "workgroup computers" icon Computer B says that it doesn't have access
to "Home" = the workgroup both computers are set to be in. Computer A sees
B's name but also says it's not accessible and I should check with the
network administrator to see whenther I have access. I don't know what a
bridge is. I don't know how to check if that's been set up or not. Tell me if
I should give up my quest and find someone here who knows what they're doing,
or whether I still have hope.

Thanks

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

Steve is the best - but it is always more difficult to diagnose problems
when you do not have hands on access to the problem machine.

On the wireless capbale laptop, if you go to Network connections and do not
see an icon labeled bridge, then you don't have one - don't worry about it.
Right click on the wireless connection and select Disable - you can always
enable it again. Reboot and make sure the wired connection works for
Internet. If both machines are running XP Home Edition,

On both machines Try:

Administrative Tools/Local Security Policy/Local Policies/User Rights
Assignment.

Add Guest to 'Access this computer from the network'.

Make sure Guest is not listed in 'Deny access to this computer from the
network'.

Open a command prompt and run:

net user guest /active:yes

Doug Sherman
MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP