File Sharing

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tosca
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Tosca

Hi everyone

I've been pulling my hair out for 72 hours because of problems setting up
file sharing. I have two laptops, each with XP Pro SP1. Each can connect
via Ethernet or Wirelessly to a Netgear Router, then ADSL without any
problems. I've tried several times to set up file sharing by having a new
folder on each desktop, allowing it to be shared and then run the network
wizard. When I worked wirelessly, I couldn't see the other's shared folder
from the First Laptop using Start>Run>\\Second Laptop\Second Shared Folder\
(and vice versa) but I could when I worked with Ethernet cables plugged in.

Having at least been able to see the other's shared folder, I went to My
Network Places and tried to see both laptops via View Workgroup Computers.
I could only see both Laptops from Second Laptop but neither from First
Laptop - it said that I didn't have permission to access the workgroup
(Mshome) that they were both in.

Finally, when I tried to access the internet from my First Laptop today
(wirelessly), I couldn't and the IP Address was something very unusual like
134.149.243.114 - (it's normally 192.168.0.10) so I took the wireless out of
the Bridge and it reverted to it's usual IP Address and it works fine. I
assume that the strange IP address was the Bridge?

I'm so frustrated - I thought that this sort of thing was very
straightforward with XP! I want a setup that will recognise whether the
other laptop is connected to the router, either wired or wirelessly, and
make any necessary internal changes automatically so I can access shared
folders from either laptop. I've looked at these NGs and checked Google for
a step by step guide without success. I wouldn't say that I'm a computer
genius but I have been using them for quite some time so wouldn't regard
myself as a complete noob!

Any suggestions - before I hit the whisky bottle and the laptops end up in
the trash bin?!
 
Hi everyone

I've been pulling my hair out for 72 hours because of problems setting up
file sharing. I have two laptops, each with XP Pro SP1. Each can connect
via Ethernet or Wirelessly to a Netgear Router, then ADSL without any
problems. I've tried several times to set up file sharing by having a new
folder on each desktop, allowing it to be shared and then run the network
wizard. When I worked wirelessly, I couldn't see the other's shared folder
from the First Laptop using Start>Run>\\Second Laptop\Second Shared Folder\
(and vice versa) but I could when I worked with Ethernet cables plugged in.

Having at least been able to see the other's shared folder, I went to My
Network Places and tried to see both laptops via View Workgroup Computers.
I could only see both Laptops from Second Laptop but neither from First
Laptop - it said that I didn't have permission to access the workgroup
(Mshome) that they were both in.

Finally, when I tried to access the internet from my First Laptop today
(wirelessly), I couldn't and the IP Address was something very unusual like
134.149.243.114 - (it's normally 192.168.0.10) so I took the wireless out of
the Bridge and it reverted to it's usual IP Address and it works fine. I
assume that the strange IP address was the Bridge?

I'm so frustrated - I thought that this sort of thing was very
straightforward with XP! I want a setup that will recognise whether the
other laptop is connected to the router, either wired or wirelessly, and
make any necessary internal changes automatically so I can access shared
folders from either laptop. I've looked at these NGs and checked Google for
a step by step guide without success. I wouldn't say that I'm a computer
genius but I have been using them for quite some time so wouldn't regard
myself as a complete noob!

Any suggestions - before I hit the whisky bottle and the laptops end up in
the trash bin?!
Click to expand...

An article that I found helpful for setting up sharing on a home network:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/whole.htm
Hope you find it useful too.
 
Thank you - I managed to get things up and running, sharing one shared
folder on each of two laptops between them both.

When I started working on one of the laptops this morning, I looked at My
Network Places and, surprisingly, it still listed the shared folder on the
other laptop which is turned off. I had expected it not to show that folder
as it's clearly not available for sharing at present. Is it possible to set
things up so that My Network Places is populated *only* by those folders
that are really available for sharing? If I delete this folder manually (I
assume that I can) and then turn on the second laptop, I would hope that
it's shared folder would declare itself as available for sharing on my first
laptop.

I hope I've explained things sufficiently.
 
Thank you - I managed to get things up and running, sharing one shared
folder on each of two laptops between them both.

When I started working on one of the laptops this morning, I looked at My
Network Places and, surprisingly, it still listed the shared folder on the
other laptop which is turned off. I had expected it not to show that folder
as it's clearly not available for sharing at present. Is it possible to set
things up so that My Network Places is populated *only* by those folders
that are really available for sharing? If I delete this folder manually (I
assume that I can) and then turn on the second laptop, I would hope that
it's shared folder would declare itself as available for sharing on my first
laptop.

I hope I've explained things sufficiently.
Click to expand...

The shared folder is listed and that's normal. If it's not available when
one tries to access it, you'll get a message telling you that. If it
happens that the folder is not present consistently, the listing will
eventually drop off of My Network Places.

There may be a way to do what you want but I've never tried to go beyond
these basic functions on my home network. If you post this over in the
winxp.network_web newsgroup, they'll probably be able to tell you more
about managing the Network Places.
 
Thank you - I'll post the question there. I realise that I get an error
message but that seems "messy" and I'd far rather not have the folder listed
in the first place! I'll get back to you (for your, and other's,
information) if I manage to resolve it.
 
Thank you - I'll post the question there. I realise that I get an error
message but that seems "messy" and I'd far rather not have the folder listed
in the first place! I'll get back to you (for your, and other's,
information) if I manage to resolve it.
Click to expand...

You're welcome, Tosca and good luck~
 
Hi Sharon

Yes, I received a detailed message from Chuck (he seems to know what he's
talking about and has posted several times there!) who mentioned the browser
service and pointed me to a Browstat download. He's posted a similar
response to others who've had problems and it may be something that you want
to look at, just in case others post similar problems here. Having said
that, when I've resolved my problem, I might just "lurk" for someone who has
a similar problems and then stroll up, authoratatively, and mention exactly
what they have to do to sort them out! Satisfying, eh?

BFN
 
Hi Sharon

Yes, I received a detailed message from Chuck (he seems to know what he's
talking about and has posted several times there!) who mentioned the browser
service and pointed me to a Browstat download. He's posted a similar
response to others who've had problems and it may be something that you want
to look at, just in case others post similar problems here. Having said
that, when I've resolved my problem, I might just "lurk" for someone who has
a similar problems and then stroll up, authoratatively, and mention exactly
what they have to do to sort them out! Satisfying, eh?

BFN
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info and the tip on the tool. Will take a look at it.

Sure! Hang around and help out where you can. There is some satisfaction in
helping others but I also find the newsgroups to be a give/take experience.
Participation helps to keep existing skills/knowledge sharpened and it's an
excellent way to expand on the same by picking up extras like the tidbit
you've just shared. Thanks again for that and best wishes for the new year,
 
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