I've two XP pro machines in the office linked together
with a crossover cable. I know absolutely zip about
networks so I ran the setup wizard, but I've still had no
luck. I've checked that both machines are in the same
workgroup, but still nothing. I guess the machines are at
least talking to each other because when I switch one off,
a pop up appears on the other telling me a cable has been
unplugged or something. Do I need to assign new IP
addresses maybe?
HELP!
A very confuzzled Wil.
While I'm new at networking myself, I'm a notch up from knowing zip.
I bruised my forehead saying DUH! a few times.
First DUH - firewalls. I had Zone alarm in 2 'puters, Black Ice in the
3'rd, the oldest. Uninstalled Zone alarm in the existing box and
disabled it in this one, the new box. Unplugged the 3'rd, I'll deal
with it later. BTW looking at Zone alarm's alert log and reading the
manual gave me more knowledge about networking, and proved to me that
the fire wall was protecting me from myself, while thwarting my
efforts to build the network.
Whatever firewall(s) you have, disable it/them while setting up, get
your internal network working, then read your firewalls documentation
vis a vis networking.
Second DUH - firewalls again. Windows XP gives you a firewall that you
need to disable.
A few misc:
I've recently deduced it makes a difference which computer finishes
booting first. See, since nobody else has physical access to my
computers, I use no passwords, and have taken the steps to eliminate
the logon screen. That apparently bypasses "connect at logon" for
drive mapping.
At first after bootup, when one app on this one needs to use a drive
on the other, I have to browse to the target folder with explorer,
once I do that, the path is open and it works unerringly, for all
apps, until I shut them down, then reboot in the same sequence. Today
I booted the other one first, then didn't have to reconnect or remap
this one.
A nice person in this N.G. named Bob suggested using the "NET USE"
command in a .bat file, but you need to at least be able to map drives
while both computers are booted up, clear that hurtle, then get the
firewall(s) to work with it, then go on to making .bat files. I'll try
that myself soon and post my findings.
To sum it up, make sure you aren't online to the internet, then blow
away any firewalls.
Say no when the wizard offers you a firewall.
Get the computers talking to each other, map the drives, make sure you
can share the files drives etc you want.
Then invoke the firewall(s), one step at a time, and with each step,
make sure that you can still share files drives etc.
Follow the firewall(s) instructions vis a vis your networking
configuration, then go online and do the Shields Up test at grc.com.
Now you just go from there, testing everything each time, before and
after you add each new item, like Internet Connection sharing, Printer
sharing etc.
Sounds complicated because it has a lot of steps. But, I've learned
that when you break the problem into the simplest parts and go from
there, the time taken is worth it, and when you call tech support, you
can answer the questions better.
Then you will know more than absolutely zip about networking.
Unfortunately, you still need a little tech savvy to use computers
effectively. But it's a good thing to learn anyway.
Or hire someone at a price and hope you can trust him/her.
1,$d
shiftbrain
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