Wired network

[Guest]

I have a desktop pc running Win XP Prof and an Acer laptop running Win XP
Home. An electrician ran a cable to network them, but I can't see my desktop
files from my laptop. Can anyone help me? I'm new to networks.

 

[glee]

Can you see files the other way around...IOW, can you see your laptop files from
your desktop?

Did you run the Network Setup Wizard in Control Panel, on both computers?

Are you using a patch cable with a hub or router, or a crossover cable?

 

[Guest]

Can you see files the other way around...IOW, can you see your laptop files from
your desktop?

I can't see files from either computer, but my laptop doesn't have shared
files like my desktop does.

Did you run the Network Setup Wizard in Control Panel, on both computers?

I don't know what the electrician did - he set up the network. I'm able to
print from my desktop as long as my laptop in running. Should I try running
the Network Setup Wizard on both computers then?

Are you using a patch cable with a hub or router, or a crossover cable?

I have a cross over cable. Since my DSL works on both computers as well as
my printer, I gather the cable is okay?

 

[glee]

You do not have a hub, switch, or router, and are using crossover cable rather than
patch cable, with a shared DSL connection? Does the desktop computer have two
network cards?

Is this what your network looks like?
http://www.dslwebserver.com/main/fr_index.html?/main/diagram-network-crossover-cable.html

 

[Guest]

Each computer has 1 network card with a cable connecting them, like the
network diagram you sent I think I'll run the network setup wizard on both my
computers like you suggested and see if that helps. I'll let you know if I'm
still unable to access my shared desktop files from my laptop afterwards.
Thanks!
Linda

 

[glee]

OK, Linda....let us know how it goes.