Problem installing a network between 2 computers

For all:
- I've tried to help a friend this weekend (9-1-2007) to establish a
network between 2 HP computers (towers).
- Computer 1 is new, has Vista Home, and is connected through a Linksys 54
(G) router to a cable modem. System has pre-installed Norton Internet
Security software installed and working.

- Computer 2 has XP Home (SP 2 ) and has a Linksys G PCI Adapter card
installed. System has Norton Client Software (Virus protection, firewall)
installed and working.

Both Linksys items are new. Both systems can access the Internet fine.
Computer 2 has good strength of signal (71%). I did attempt this all again
after I had disabled the Norton firewall, but that had the same results.

- My friend wants to use a printer installed on Computer 2 for all printing
required on either Computer 1 and/or Computer 2 and hopes to share the
printer for both.

- I used the Linksys software CD's at each computer to install the hardware
(router and adapter) but did not make any configuration changes of either. I
assigned a new name for the router and changed the password used to access
the router.

- I attempted to create a new wireless network, using the Vista wizard, and
a flash drive to transfer the required files. All seemed fine at the Vista
end. For a basic beginning, I had established the network with a name and
used WPA security.

- When I plugged the flash drive into computer 2, a box came on the screen
and told me (basically) that it could not complete the networking task. I
apologize that I didn't write down the exact wording, but I can try and get
it later (if needed).

- After reading other postings, it appears that I need some additional
direction on establishing the network. It appears I've skipped some steps
that are necessary to make all of this work. I'm very comfortable around
computers and sofware and can accept criticism where it applies. I can
follow any steps and guidance available.

- Please provide any applicable guidance you might have. I believe I'm
just a couple steps away from making this work. I realize this is a long
description, but believe there's others out there trying to do the same thing
I am

Thanks for your help.

- Regards, Chiefranger

Hi
Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network
settings,http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is
allowed to be shared.
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/net.../vista_fp.mspx
Basic XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro...lesharing.mspx
Advanced XP - http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...utt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"Chiefranger" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news2190ACC-9954-4A95-AF45-(E-Mail Removed)...
> For all:
> - I've tried to help a friend this weekend (9-1-2007) to establish a
> network between 2 HP computers (towers).
> - Computer 1 is new, has Vista Home, and is connected through a Linksys
> 54
> (G) router to a cable modem. System has pre-installed Norton Internet
> Security software installed and working.
>
> - Computer 2 has XP Home (SP 2 ) and has a Linksys G PCI Adapter card
> installed. System has Norton Client Software (Virus protection, firewall)
> installed and working.
>
> Both Linksys items are new. Both systems can access the Internet fine.
> Computer 2 has good strength of signal (71%). I did attempt this all
> again
> after I had disabled the Norton firewall, but that had the same results.
>
> - My friend wants to use a printer installed on Computer 2 for all
> printing
> required on either Computer 1 and/or Computer 2 and hopes to share the
> printer for both.
>
> - I used the Linksys software CD's at each computer to install the
> hardware
> (router and adapter) but did not make any configuration changes of either.
> I
> assigned a new name for the router and changed the password used to access
> the router.
>
> - I attempted to create a new wireless network, using the Vista wizard,
> and
> a flash drive to transfer the required files. All seemed fine at the
> Vista
> end. For a basic beginning, I had established the network with a name and
> used WPA security.
>
> - When I plugged the flash drive into computer 2, a box came on the
> screen
> and told me (basically) that it could not complete the networking task. I
> apologize that I didn't write down the exact wording, but I can try and
> get
> it later (if needed).
>
> - After reading other postings, it appears that I need some additional
> direction on establishing the network. It appears I've skipped some steps
> that are necessary to make all of this work. I'm very comfortable around
> computers and sofware and can accept criticism where it applies. I can
> follow any steps and guidance available.
>
> - Please provide any applicable guidance you might have. I believe I'm
> just a couple steps away from making this work. I realize this is a long
> description, but believe there's others out there trying to do the same
> thing
> I am
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> - Regards, Chiefranger
>

Thanks Jack. I had anticipated that it wasn't as clear-cut as I had hoped.
I'll be looking at all the links and hope that my troubles will be a thing of
the past. I'll be sending in another response after I resolve the problem.
I extend my appreciation for your time and effort.
Cheers, Chiefranger

"Jack (MVP-Networking)." wrote:

> Hi
> Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network
> settings,http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
> As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is
> allowed to be shared.
> Vista File and Printer Sharing-
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/net.../vista_fp.mspx
> Basic XP -
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro...lesharing.mspx
> Advanced XP - http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
> Printer Sharing XP -
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...utt_july2.mspx
> Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
> Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
> "Chiefranger" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news2190ACC-9954-4A95-AF45-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > For all:
> > - I've tried to help a friend this weekend (9-1-2007) to establish a
> > network between 2 HP computers (towers).
> > - Computer 1 is new, has Vista Home, and is connected through a Linksys
> > 54
> > (G) router to a cable modem. System has pre-installed Norton Internet
> > Security software installed and working.
> >
> > - Computer 2 has XP Home (SP 2 ) and has a Linksys G PCI Adapter card
> > installed. System has Norton Client Software (Virus protection, firewall)
> > installed and working.
> >
> > Both Linksys items are new. Both systems can access the Internet fine.
> > Computer 2 has good strength of signal (71%). I did attempt this all
> > again
> > after I had disabled the Norton firewall, but that had the same results.
> >
> > - My friend wants to use a printer installed on Computer 2 for all
> > printing
> > required on either Computer 1 and/or Computer 2 and hopes to share the
> > printer for both.
> >
> > - I used the Linksys software CD's at each computer to install the
> > hardware
> > (router and adapter) but did not make any configuration changes of either.
> > I
> > assigned a new name for the router and changed the password used to access
> > the router.
> >
> > - I attempted to create a new wireless network, using the Vista wizard,
> > and
> > a flash drive to transfer the required files. All seemed fine at the
> > Vista
> > end. For a basic beginning, I had established the network with a name and
> > used WPA security.
> >
> > - When I plugged the flash drive into computer 2, a box came on the
> > screen
> > and told me (basically) that it could not complete the networking task. I
> > apologize that I didn't write down the exact wording, but I can try and
> > get
> > it later (if needed).
> >
> > - After reading other postings, it appears that I need some additional
> > direction on establishing the network. It appears I've skipped some steps
> > that are necessary to make all of this work. I'm very comfortable around
> > computers and sofware and can accept criticism where it applies. I can
> > follow any steps and guidance available.
> >
> > - Please provide any applicable guidance you might have. I believe I'm
> > just a couple steps away from making this work. I realize this is a long
> > description, but believe there's others out there trying to do the same
> > thing
> > I am
> >
> > Thanks for your help.
> >
> > - Regards, Chiefranger
> >
>
>

I went through a similar thing with PC desktop (Vista new) and XP laptop.
Make sure that both computers have the same 'workgroup' name. The XP default
was MSHOME and the VISTA default was WORKGROUP. When I changed the
laptop(XP) to WORKGROUP it detected the PC desktop and I was able to get the
printer connection.

Of course that may not be the problem, so the links provided by Jack will be
more detailed.

Bill


"Chiefranger" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news2190ACC-9954-4A95-AF45-(E-Mail Removed)...
> For all:
> - I've tried to help a friend this weekend (9-1-2007) to establish a
> network between 2 HP computers (towers).
> - Computer 1 is new, has Vista Home, and is connected through a Linksys
> 54
> (G) router to a cable modem. System has pre-installed Norton Internet
> Security software installed and working.
>
> - Computer 2 has XP Home (SP 2 ) and has a Linksys G PCI Adapter card
> installed. System has Norton Client Software (Virus protection, firewall)
> installed and working.
>
> Both Linksys items are new. Both systems can access the Internet fine.
> Computer 2 has good strength of signal (71%). I did attempt this all
> again
> after I had disabled the Norton firewall, but that had the same results.
>
> - My friend wants to use a printer installed on Computer 2 for all
> printing
> required on either Computer 1 and/or Computer 2 and hopes to share the
> printer for both.
>
> - I used the Linksys software CD's at each computer to install the
> hardware
> (router and adapter) but did not make any configuration changes of either.
> I
> assigned a new name for the router and changed the password used to access
> the router.
>
> - I attempted to create a new wireless network, using the Vista wizard,
> and
> a flash drive to transfer the required files. All seemed fine at the
> Vista
> end. For a basic beginning, I had established the network with a name and
> used WPA security.
>
> - When I plugged the flash drive into computer 2, a box came on the
> screen
> and told me (basically) that it could not complete the networking task. I
> apologize that I didn't write down the exact wording, but I can try and
> get
> it later (if needed).
>
> - After reading other postings, it appears that I need some additional
> direction on establishing the network. It appears I've skipped some steps
> that are necessary to make all of this work. I'm very comfortable around
> computers and sofware and can accept criticism where it applies. I can
> follow any steps and guidance available.
>
> - Please provide any applicable guidance you might have. I believe I'm
> just a couple steps away from making this work. I realize this is a long
> description, but believe there's others out there trying to do the same
> thing
> I am
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> - Regards, Chiefranger
>