help setting up new laptop to share files

HI.

I've recently added a dell B130 to my home network. It's connecting to
internet just fine. I want to share files, documents between all three
computers in my home.. The NEW laptop is the problem. On my DESKTOP, which
is the one connected to internet thru cable modem and router for the
wireless connections on both laptops, I can vew all three computer's names.
I just can't see the shared documents on the NEW one.. when I click on view
other computers in workgroup, it says i don't have permission.. I tried
changing my name for access... yes it does say i am administrator.. but that
isn't working. HELP!! I'm new to this newsgroup..so i'm not sure i'll even
be able to retrieve the answer if someone DOES answer... but, I shall
try..thanks and God bless!!

connie

Connie Allen wrote:

> HI.
>
> I've recently added a dell B130 to my home network. It's connecting to
> internet just fine. I want to share files, documents between all three
> computers in my home.. The NEW laptop is the problem. On my DESKTOP,
> which is the one connected to internet thru cable modem and router for
> the wireless connections on both laptops, I can vew all three
> computer's names. I just can't see the shared documents on the NEW
> one.. when I click on view other computers in workgroup, it says i
> don't have permission.. I tried changing my name for access... yes it
> does say i am administrator.. but that
> isn't working. HELP!! I'm new to this newsgroup..so i'm not sure i'll
> even be able to retrieve the answer if someone DOES answer... but, I
> shall try..thanks and God bless!!

I'm a little unclear from your post whether you are successfully sharing
files between the first two computers. If not, run the Network Setup
Wizard on all three machines. If yes, then run the Wizard on the new
laptop, 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 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

If you need more help, when you post back please be sure to include all
operating systems involved, the versions (Home/Pro), and the Service
Pack levels on the original two computers (it is assumed you have SP2
on the new laptop).

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

Hi, Follow this
link:http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...02c4d7da9f&p=1

hope it helps.

I was working on the identical problem as you since XMAS and just solved it a
couple of weeks ago. I had tried disabling my Norton Firewall on the laptop
before (as recommended by many) and that hadn't worked, so I hadn't gone that
route again.

Then I just happened to look through the menus in the Norton Internet
Security program (a big memory hog that came pre-installed on the laptop and
includes
Anti-Virus, Internet Security, Firewall, Anti-Spyware etc.) and found the
following that completely fixed my problem. I now have access from my laptop
to all my desktop shared files.

Assuming you have the same Norton program, go to Personal Firewall,
Configure, Networking and you'll see you can identify "Trusted" computers
with which you can permit file sharing. Choose Add. Then you can identify
the IP address of your desktop individually or a range of IP addresses.
Being a novice like you, I wasn't sure whether just to include the IP address
of the desktop or the wireless router as well so I chose to enter the range
of IP addresses that included both. IP address for your desktop can be found
by Start/Run, type cmd, then type ipconfig at the command line. It will be a
number like 192.168.0.1. The laptop and wireless router will have IP
addresses that differ only in the last digit.

If you don't have Norton, play around with whatever Firewall settings you
have. The error message I got, and situation, was identical to yours so I'm
sure it's the same problem.

Good luck!


"Connie Allen" wrote:

> HI.
>
> I've recently added a dell B130 to my home network. It's connecting to
> internet just fine. I want to share files, documents between all three
> computers in my home.. The NEW laptop is the problem. On my DESKTOP, which
> is the one connected to internet thru cable modem and router for the
> wireless connections on both laptops, I can vew all three computer's names.
> I just can't see the shared documents on the NEW one.. when I click on view
> other computers in workgroup, it says i don't have permission.. I tried
> changing my name for access... yes it does say i am administrator.. but that
> isn't working. HELP!! I'm new to this newsgroup..so i'm not sure i'll even
> be able to retrieve the answer if someone DOES answer... but, I shall
> try..thanks and God bless!!
>
> connie
>
>
>