computer is locked out

I have a 2wire router with sbc internet. I am trying to get file and printer
sharing to work. There is a computer using the ethernet cable and a wirless
laptop. I can access files and printers form the desktop on the laptop, but
the laptop seems to be locked out of the desktop. The laptop can access the
internet fine, just not files on the desktop. Please help me if you can,
thanks.
--
Paul

Paul wrote:

> I have a 2wire router with sbc internet. I am trying to get file and
> printer
> sharing to work. There is a computer using the ethernet cable and a
> wirless
> laptop. I can access files and printers form the desktop on the
> laptop, but
> the laptop seems to be locked out of the desktop. The laptop can
> access the
> internet fine, just not files on the desktop. Please help me if you
> can, thanks.

This is most commonly caused by a misconfigured firewall. Run the
Network Setup Wizard on both computers, making sure to enable File &
Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is that this will turn
on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party
firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like
Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. If you have
third-party firewall software, configure it to allow the Local Area
Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my firewalls with an
IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would
substitute your correct subnet.

Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
Shared Documents folder.

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro:

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
Simple File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it
matters in your situation.

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows User/Shell
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"

Thanks Malke, i just looked at my McAfee fire wall and it said it had blocked
several things from the ip of the laptop. Thank you very much!!
--
Paul


"Malke" wrote:

> Paul wrote:
>
> > I have a 2wire router with sbc internet. I am trying to get file and
> > printer
> > sharing to work. There is a computer using the ethernet cable and a
> > wirless
> > laptop. I can access files and printers form the desktop on the
> > laptop, but
> > the laptop seems to be locked out of the desktop. The laptop can
> > access the
> > internet fine, just not files on the desktop. Please help me if you
> > can, thanks.
>
> This is most commonly caused by a misconfigured firewall. Run the
> Network Setup Wizard on both computers, making sure to enable File &
> Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is that this will turn
> on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party
> firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like
> Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. If you have
> third-party firewall software, configure it to allow the Local Area
> Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my firewalls with an
> IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would
> substitute your correct subnet.
>
> Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
> home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
> folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
> Shared Documents folder.
>
> If one or more of the computers is XP Pro:
>
> a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
> Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
> accounts/passwords on all computers.
>
> b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
> Simple File Sharing enabled.
>
> Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
> that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
> resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it
> matters in your situation.
>
> If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
> troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
> and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
> http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP Windows User/Shell
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic"
>

Paul wrote:

> Thanks Malke, i just looked at my McAfee fire wall and it said it had
> blocked several things from the ip of the laptop. Thank you very
> much!!

Lovely! I'm so glad you got it sorted. Thanks for taking the time to let
me know.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User