Home Networking Problems

I have two computers called PC and Laptop. I want a LAN connection between
the two. Both are running XP Pro SP1. I have a crossover cable connected.
The PC has a shared drive M: and the Laptop has a drive F:.

On the PC, I have run the Network Setup Wizard and have established a
connection to the Laptop and using my PC I can download and pull off files
on the laptop F: drive.

So far so good.

However, I would like the reverse to happen and allow my Laptop to connect
to my PC, but it just won't work. I run the network setup wizard, but it
doesn't do anything. If I open My Network Places>Entire Network>Microsoft
Windows Network, click on the Mshome (I have left the default name), I can
see my PC and laptop. Click on the PC icon and I hit a Username/Password
box. As nothing I have is passworded, nothing I can type in works.

Both drives are NTFS, but on my PC, my M: in properties has a Security tab
(which my laptop F: doesn't). I have fiddled with the permissions to allow
everyone full permissions, but I'm basically stuck.

Having sorted this out, my next step would be to get my laptop to use my
PC's printer and internet connection.

Does anyone have any ideas what I'm doing wrong? I did hear that SP2 has
sorted some problems out in this area, but I don't want to upgrade for the
moment.

Thanks in advance,

Graham

On Sun, 19 Feb 2006 10:01:06 -0000, "Grey" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>I have two computers called PC and Laptop. I want a LAN connection between
>the two. Both are running XP Pro SP1. I have a crossover cable connected.
>The PC has a shared drive M: and the Laptop has a drive F:.
>
>On the PC, I have run the Network Setup Wizard and have established a
>connection to the Laptop and using my PC I can download and pull off files
>on the laptop F: drive.
>
>So far so good.
>
>However, I would like the reverse to happen and allow my Laptop to connect
>to my PC, but it just won't work.

I've not used a crossover cable before but you could try this as I
have had problems using the 'Network' icon.

Go to Start, find, computer and type in the name of the computer you
want to find eg, either pc or laptop.

It should find it ok then click on it and choose the explore option.

This has worked for me before.

Geoff Lane

"Geoff Lane" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Sun, 19 Feb 2006 10:01:06 -0000, "Grey" <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote:
>
> >I have two computers called PC and Laptop. I want a LAN connection
between
> >the two. Both are running XP Pro SP1. I have a crossover cable connected.
> >The PC has a shared drive M: and the Laptop has a drive F:.
> >
> >On the PC, I have run the Network Setup Wizard and have established a
> >connection to the Laptop and using my PC I can download and pull off
files
> >on the laptop F: drive.
> >
> >So far so good.
> >
> >However, I would like the reverse to happen and allow my Laptop to
connect
> >to my PC, but it just won't work.
>
> I've not used a crossover cable before but you could try this as I
> have had problems using the 'Network' icon.
>
> Go to Start, find, computer and type in the name of the computer you
> want to find eg, either pc or laptop.
>
> It should find it ok then click on it and choose the explore option.
>
> This has worked for me before.
>
> Geoff Lane

Yes it works, but I can't connect because of a password box, when there are
no passwords on my system.

Graham

>>
>> This has worked for me before.
>>
>> Geoff Lane
>
> Yes it works, but I can't connect because of a password box, when there
> are
> no passwords on my system.
>
> Graham
>
Windows networking normally requires a password. The easiest way (and the
one I use) is to create user accounts with identical names and passwords on
both computers. A blank password does not work. You can then connect without
problems. You do however need to enter a password every time you log in. I
do this because my laptop is taken out of the house every day.

If you insist in having no passwords then you are always connecting as a
Guest account to the computer shares and therefore need "Everyone"
permissions access on all your shared files. If you connect to the Internet
then bear in mind that there is NO NTFS filing system protection from a
malicious user for your data. You are dependant on your firewall and AV. I
assume that you are not using a router with an Ethernet port as you are
using a crossover cable.

Do you have the Guest account disabled? This is normal practice but would
also probably stop access. I have successfully configured a customer's
network in this way but that was Home Edition. He uses three computers and
does not want a password.

Depending on the error message you are getting there is another issue
associated with the use of the Windows Firewall. If it is about passwords
then this you are not having this problem.

John

In message <dt9j6q$8l1$(E-Mail Removed)>, Grey
<(E-Mail Removed)> writes
>Yes it works, but I can't connect because of a password box, when there are
>no passwords on my system.
Well, set one. Seriously, google for 'XP simple networking' and you'll
find dozens of hits that explain what's happening.

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ilesharing.htm

is probably the most readable.
>
>Graham
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

--
Clint Sharp

On Sun, 19 Feb 2006 12:39:17 -0000, "John Steele"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>
>>>
>>> This has worked for me before.

>> Yes it works, but I can't connect because of a password box, when there
>> are
>> no passwords on my system.

>Windows networking normally requires a password.

I've not got passwords on my system, apart from for ADMIN, and I am
not prompted for any passwords.

I am not on an XP computer at the moment but it may be to do with an
option to use Windows Log On, which I don't use.

Within my network I've got two XP machines, one 98 firts edition and
one pocketPC, all can access the network fine.

The pocketPC asks for a username and password but I just press return
with no entry and it connects fine.

Geoff Lane