File and printer sharing on new home office network

Hello,

First time user of the group. Just now replacing my ME system with a new
desktop and laptop. The wireless modem is the new 2Wire158 from Qwest. I set
up the systems and got the network running. Unfortunately, the printer
(connected to the desktop), nor the couple test files on the desktop are
accessible from the laptop even though they are both shared to this laptop.

I have redone the network/group a couple of times according to MS directions
with no luck. Qwest says the modem shouldn't be the problem.

When I do see a workgroup icon, I get a permission error (admin type). I
looked at all firewall execptions, but seem to be out of options.

Can anyone offer any sage advice? My level of understanding is high, just
not IT pro high.

Thank you for the assistance.
--
Dan M

Dan M wrote:

> Hello,
>
> First time user of the group. Just now replacing my ME system with a
> new desktop and laptop. The wireless modem is the new 2Wire158 from
> Qwest. I set up the systems and got the network running.
> Unfortunately, the printer (connected to the desktop), nor the couple
> test files on the desktop are accessible from the laptop even though
> they are both shared to this laptop.
>
> I have redone the network/group a couple of times according to MS
> directions with no luck. Qwest says the modem shouldn't be the
> problem.
>
> When I do see a workgroup icon, I get a permission error (admin type).
> I looked at all firewall execptions, but seem to be out of options.
>
> Can anyone offer any sage advice? My level of understanding is high,
> just not IT pro high.

Since I don't know what you've already done - here is my usual
"networking problems" blurb:

This is most commonly caused by a misconfigured firewall (I know you
said you checked, but check again after reading through this
paragraph). 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. Also obviously you
want to make sure the Windows Firewall is not active in that case.

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.

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

Thank you for responding, Malke.

Sorry, same ol', same ol'. I read the web page you referred to. It seems
like I have a bit of everything. I can see the workgroup, but can't access
it. Can't see anything I haven't done yet. I didn't install any AV or 3rd
party FW before getting all of these problems.

It seems to me MS should have a way better handle on this problem. We, the
users, are just doing what the wizards and troubleshooters tell us. Why
should we have to be certified to use a home computer? Just begs a lot of
questions.

Is there any other advice? Thank you.
--
Dan M


"Malke" wrote:

> Dan M wrote:
>
> > Hello,
> >
> > First time user of the group. Just now replacing my ME system with a
> > new desktop and laptop. The wireless modem is the new 2Wire158 from
> > Qwest. I set up the systems and got the network running.
> > Unfortunately, the printer (connected to the desktop), nor the couple
> > test files on the desktop are accessible from the laptop even though
> > they are both shared to this laptop.
> >
> > I have redone the network/group a couple of times according to MS
> > directions with no luck. Qwest says the modem shouldn't be the
> > problem.
> >
> > When I do see a workgroup icon, I get a permission error (admin type).
> > I looked at all firewall execptions, but seem to be out of options.
> >
> > Can anyone offer any sage advice? My level of understanding is high,
> > just not IT pro high.
>
> Since I don't know what you've already done - here is my usual
> "networking problems" blurb:
>
> This is most commonly caused by a misconfigured firewall (I know you
> said you checked, but check again after reading through this
> paragraph). 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. Also obviously you
> want to make sure the Windows Firewall is not active in that case.
>
> 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.
>
> 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 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
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
>

Dan M wrote:

> Thank you for responding, Malke.
>
> Sorry, same ol', same ol'. I read the web page you referred to. It
> seems like I have a bit of everything. I can see the workgroup, but
> can't access it. Can't see anything I haven't done yet. I didn't
> install any AV or 3rd party FW before getting all of these problems.
>
> It seems to me MS should have a way better handle on this problem. We,
> the users, are just doing what the wizards and troubleshooters tell
> us. Why should we have to be certified to use a home computer? Just
> begs a lot of questions.
>
> Is there any other advice? Thank you.

I'm not sure which webpage you refer to, but if you meant Hans-Georg's
troubleshooter, go through it and don't just read it.

Reading through your prior post, I don't see where you've told us what
version and Service Pack level of XP you have on all machines. Please
tell us that and do the following on both computers:

Start>Run>cmd [enter]
ipconfig /all [enter]

Post the output.

Also, have you created identical user accounts and passwords on both
machines? If not, please do so.

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

SP2 is the service pack on IE.

I have already investigated and retried/reinstalled all that was listed on
the link you provided to the best of my ability. Sorry, I can't give you a
better answer.

I don't feel comfortable posting config files.

Thank you for your help.
--
Dan M

"Malke" wrote:

> Dan M wrote:
>
> > Thank you for responding, Malke.
> >
> > Sorry, same ol', same ol'. I read the web page you referred to. It
> > seems like I have a bit of everything. I can see the workgroup, but
> > can't access it. Can't see anything I haven't done yet. I didn't
> > install any AV or 3rd party FW before getting all of these problems.
> >
> > It seems to me MS should have a way better handle on this problem. We,
> > the users, are just doing what the wizards and troubleshooters tell
> > us. Why should we have to be certified to use a home computer? Just
> > begs a lot of questions.
> >
> > Is there any other advice? Thank you.
>
> I'm not sure which webpage you refer to, but if you meant Hans-Georg's
> troubleshooter, go through it and don't just read it.
>
> Reading through your prior post, I don't see where you've told us what
> version and Service Pack level of XP you have on all machines. Please
> tell us that and do the following on both computers:
>
> Start>Run>cmd [enter]
> ipconfig /all [enter]
>
> Post the output.
>
> Also, have you created identical user accounts and passwords on both
> machines? If not, please do so.
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
>

Dan M wrote:

> SP2 is the service pack on IE.
>
> I have already investigated and retried/reinstalled all that was
> listed on the link you provided to the best of my ability. Sorry, I
> can't give you a better answer.
>
> I don't feel comfortable posting config files.
>
> Thank you for your help.

Well, then I can't help you. You still haven't said if you have XP Home
or Pro. You have not said whether you have made identical user accounts
and passwords and whether you have checked the Simple Sharing setting
if either computer is XP Pro.

You have a router, so running ipconfig will show private, non-routable
IP addresses and your subnet, as well as for the gateway. These are
perfectly safe to post since no one can do anything with them. If your
level of understanding were as high as you think it is, you would know
that. The point is to find out if all your machines are on the same
subnet and whether the gateway is set correctly.

Since we can't help you here, the best course of action would be for you
to have a professional come on-site and set you up correctly. Setting
up networking between a few computers is trivial and should not be
expensive. Naturally I don't know what the going rates are where you
live, but here in Fresno, CA a job like that would run you roughly from
$60-125. Considering the amount of time you've already spent on it,
that may not seem excessive. Or perhaps you have a knowledgeable friend
who can help you.

Good luck,

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