basic home wireless network setup question

  • Thread starter Thread starter bmuse
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bmuse

I have two computers -- a desktop and laptop, both
running XP. Internet connection is a D-Link 614+
wireless router (to broadband cable modem). Both
computers connect wirelessly to the router, and a
ReplayTV is wired to it. No problems so far. Now,
trying to set up a wireless home network to share files &
printers, I'm just lost. I've run the Wizard multiple
times on both computers. Neither shows up on the other's
Network Places. Do I need to configure the wizard to use
the desktop as the ONLY internet access, as Windows
implies? Will that degrade the connection of the laptop,
if it's connecting through the desktop? And how do I
create a wireless home network when both computers are
connecting to the wireless router? I've been reading
tutorials galore, but just can't get this to work.
Thanks for any help, or referral to a step-by-step for my
particular setup situation!
 
"bmuse" said:
I have two computers -- a desktop and laptop, both
running XP. Internet connection is a D-Link 614+
wireless router (to broadband cable modem). Both
computers connect wirelessly to the router, and a
ReplayTV is wired to it. No problems so far. Now,
trying to set up a wireless home network to share files &
printers, I'm just lost. I've run the Wizard multiple
times on both computers. Neither shows up on the other's
Network Places. Do I need to configure the wizard to use
the desktop as the ONLY internet access, as Windows
implies? Will that degrade the connection of the laptop,
if it's connecting through the desktop? And how do I
create a wireless home network when both computers are
connecting to the wireless router? I've been reading
tutorials galore, but just can't get this to work.
Thanks for any help, or referral to a step-by-step for my
particular setup situation!
Click to expand...

Tell the Wizard that the computers connect to the Internet through a
"residential gateway" -- that's what it calls a router. The Wizard
should make all the right settings to allow your computers to share
files and printers with each other.

If that doesn't solve the problem, try these tips:

1. Permanently disable XP's built-in Internet Connection Firewall on
local area network connections -- it's for use only on a direct modem
connection to the Internet. Disable and un-install all other
firewalls while troubleshooting. Details here:

Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/ic_firewall.htm

2. Use only one protocol for File and Printer Sharing. If the network
needs more than one protocol, unbind File and Printer Sharing from all
but one of them. Details here:

Windows XP Network Protocols
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm

3. Make sure that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled on all computers.
Details here:

Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (NetBT)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/netbt.htm
--
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
 
In addition to steps below;
If you have a firewall software running on either or both
computers, you will need to set it to allow access to the
other computer. A good way to do this will be to manually
assign IP address to each computer then set your firewall
to grant access to those IP address. YOu may have to
disable DHCP on your router as well.

Hope this helps that is if you have a firewall software.

-----Original Message-----
Click to expand...
 
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