Win XP machines won't connect

[Guest]

Hi,
I have recently connected a desktop PC running windows XP Pro and a Laptop
running Windows XP Home. They are sharing an internet connection through the
laptop. Both computers can connect to the internet without a problem.
However when I go to my network places and on the desktop I receive a message
saying that I cannot access my network (Work group HOME), both computers
appear on the laptop when I open my network places, but I cannot access the
desktop by clicking the icon, I receive another error message.
If I use the command prompt on the desktop to ping my laptop (computer name
chris), it works without a problem, when I repeat that action on the laptop
and ping the desktop (computer name pinkowicz) it doesn't work, the host
cannot be found.
The two computers are connected by cable through networking cards and I
would like to share my music files across the two computers (larger HDD on
the desktop and too much music on the laptop is causing storage problems)

 

[Chuck]

Hi,
I have recently connected a desktop PC running windows XP Pro and a Laptop
running Windows XP Home. They are sharing an internet connection through the
laptop. Both computers can connect to the internet without a problem.
However when I go to my network places and on the desktop I receive a message
saying that I cannot access my network (Work group HOME), both computers
appear on the laptop when I open my network places, but I cannot access the
desktop by clicking the icon, I receive another error message.
If I use the command prompt on the desktop to ping my laptop (computer name
chris), it works without a problem, when I repeat that action on the laptop
and ping the desktop (computer name pinkowicz) it doesn't work, the host
cannot be found.
The two computers are connected by cable through networking cards and I
would like to share my music files across the two computers (larger HDD on
the desktop and too much music on the laptop is causing storage problems)

Chris,

Unbalanced name resolution problems, like yours, are usually caused by a
firewall.

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF / WF, or third party)? If
so, you need to configure them for file sharing, by opening ports TCP 139, 445
and UDP 137, 138, 445, by enabling the File and Printer Sharing exception, 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.

Are you running both Client for Microsoft Networks, and File and Printer Sharing
for Microsoft Networks (Local Area Connection - Properties), on each computer?
Do you have shares setup on each?

Are you running NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (Local Area Connection - Properties - TCP/IP
- Properties - Advanced - WINS) on each computer?

Make sure the browser service is running on each computer. Control Panel -
Administrative Tools - Services. Verify that the Computer Browser, and the
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper, services both show with Status = Started.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.