home networking won't work...what am I doing wrong?

[DebbieR]

Please tell me exactly what each of 2 machines, both
running WinXP and connecting to a router which is
connected to a cable modem, should be set at to allow
networking. Files on each machine have been set up for
sharing. I'm getting a message from the laptop that I
don't have access to that network. The desktop doesn't
even see the laptop. I'm the only one who uses both
machines and am listed as administrator (although since
some of the Windows updates the last few weeks, I often
get a message from my Norton Internet Security that only
administrator has access to certain things.) Don't know
what has happened. This is making me crazy.
Please help....thanks.
PS:an e-mail to my account would be greatly
appreciated... (e-mail address removed)

 

[Phil Lyons]

Hi,

Are both PCs in the same workgroup?

Is TCP/IP installed?

Can each machine ping itself?

Can each machine ping the other?

Can each machine ping the cable modem?

What are the IP addresses & masks? Are the subnet masks correct?

Which other protocols are installed? For best results, use only
TCP/IP. Run NetBIOS over TCP/IP.

Once this is done, run through troubleshooting steps again.

Hope this helps,
Phil Lyons