Please help -- this network is a won'twork!

I have a linksys wireless router connected to my cable modem. One desktop is
connected via ethernet to the router, a laptop has a wireless connection.
Both computers are connected to the internet. However, I can't get them to
share files and printers with each other. How do I do this? I've seen tons
of instructions on setting up networks, but none that deal directly with my
issue.

Do I have to share the internet connection, or will each computer connect
directly through the linksys router?
Does the workgroup name have to be the same as the router's wireless name?
Do I leave firewalls on each computer turned on or off?

I've tried and tried and tried and so far, no avail. Any and all help is
greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Marc

Hi

The word Sharing is used for Sharing Internet connection, and Sharing
Computer's Files and printers; however technology wise these are two
separate issues.

In order to Share Files your computers need to be Networked. If they are
connected together to the Router's switch the computers are already forming
a Network.

In order to Share files you need to set each computer's File Sharing.

Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions concerning Windows
Network Settings, and Sharing: http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

Jack (MVP-Networking).





"MAIstook" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:FC8657B7-548A-4765-A037-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have a linksys wireless router connected to my cable modem. One desktop
is
> connected via ethernet to the router, a laptop has a wireless connection.
> Both computers are connected to the internet. However, I can't get them
to
> share files and printers with each other. How do I do this? I've seen
tons
> of instructions on setting up networks, but none that deal directly with
my
> issue.
>
> Do I have to share the internet connection, or will each computer connect
> directly through the linksys router?
> Does the workgroup name have to be the same as the router's wireless name?
> Do I leave firewalls on each computer turned on or off?
>
> I've tried and tried and tried and so far, no avail. Any and all help is
> greatly appreciated. Thanks!
>
> Marc
>

Additionally you will have to open up the firewall to file sharing. If you
are using XPs built in firewall then there is a standard option there to
allow filesharing to work.

Additionally Additionally, if you don't get it working by trying to connect
using the computer name then try the IP address of the PC.

"Jack" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi
>
> The word Sharing is used for Sharing Internet connection, and Sharing
> Computer's Files and printers; however technology wise these are two
> separate issues.
>
> In order to Share Files your computers need to be Networked. If they are
> connected together to the Router's switch the computers are already
> forming
> a Network.
>
> In order to Share files you need to set each computer's File Sharing.
>
> Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions concerning Windows
> Network Settings, and Sharing: http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
>
> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
>
>
>
>
> "MAIstook" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:FC8657B7-548A-4765-A037-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> I have a linksys wireless router connected to my cable modem. One
>> desktop
> is
>> connected via ethernet to the router, a laptop has a wireless connection.
>> Both computers are connected to the internet. However, I can't get them
> to
>> share files and printers with each other. How do I do this? I've seen
> tons
>> of instructions on setting up networks, but none that deal directly with
> my
>> issue.
>>
>> Do I have to share the internet connection, or will each computer connect
>> directly through the linksys router?
>> Does the workgroup name have to be the same as the router's wireless
>> name?
>> Do I leave firewalls on each computer turned on or off?
>>
>> I've tried and tried and tried and so far, no avail. Any and all help is
>> greatly appreciated. Thanks!
>>
>> Marc
>>
>
>

In answer to you specific questions:

>Do I have to share the internet connection, or will each computer connect
>directly through the linksys router?
No. As you say each computer goes straight to the router for the internet
access.

Does the workgroup name have to be the same as the router's wireless name?
No. The router's name has nothing to do with the work group name.

Do I leave firewalls on each computer turned on or off?
See previous post. But if you turn it off completely that would be a good
test.

"Joseph Byrns" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Additionally you will have to open up the firewall to file sharing. If
> you are using XPs built in firewall then there is a standard option there
> to allow filesharing to work.
>
> Additionally Additionally, if you don't get it working by trying to
> connect using the computer name then try the IP address of the PC.
>
> "Jack" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hi
>>
>> The word Sharing is used for Sharing Internet connection, and Sharing
>> Computer's Files and printers; however technology wise these are two
>> separate issues.
>>
>> In order to Share Files your computers need to be Networked. If they are
>> connected together to the Router's switch the computers are already
>> forming
>> a Network.
>>
>> In order to Share files you need to set each computer's File Sharing.
>>
>> Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions concerning Windows
>> Network Settings, and Sharing: http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
>>
>> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "MAIstook" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:FC8657B7-548A-4765-A037-(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> I have a linksys wireless router connected to my cable modem. One
>>> desktop
>> is
>>> connected via ethernet to the router, a laptop has a wireless
>>> connection.
>>> Both computers are connected to the internet. However, I can't get them
>> to
>>> share files and printers with each other. How do I do this? I've seen
>> tons
>>> of instructions on setting up networks, but none that deal directly with
>> my
>>> issue.
>>>
>>> Do I have to share the internet connection, or will each computer
>>> connect
>>> directly through the linksys router?
>>> Does the workgroup name have to be the same as the router's wireless
>>> name?
>>> Do I leave firewalls on each computer turned on or off?
>>>
>>> I've tried and tried and tried and so far, no avail. Any and all help
>>> is
>>> greatly appreciated. Thanks!
>>>
>>> Marc
>>>
>>
>>
>
>