How to configure file sharing

Hi folks:

I apologize in advance for asking a quesiton that has probably already been covered here; if so, please just direct me to a previous thread.

I am learning the ropes on my new P1-MX (ASUS W3V) and on the day I received it I installed a wireless network at home. That turned out to be the easy part; I can't seem to get my desktop and laptop to see shared folders on the network (they both see my internet connection though). Has anyone written a "walkthrough for dummies" that covers the steps involved in setting up and testing file sharing? Thanks in advance. Doug

 

I myself haven't seen any such walkthroughs but there are a couple things you can do to get it working. For XP it is pretty straightforward. Obviously, the first is enabling file sharing on both pc's and making sure it is an installed protocol for your connection properties. Then make sure the NetBIOS over TCP/IP option is enabled. This is under your connection properties>TCP/IP properties, click the Advanced button and then select the WINS tab.

All PC's must be a part of the same workgroup, verify this by going to System Properties>Computer Name. The workgroup names must be indentical but the computer names must be different. Also make sure that the XP firewall is disabled, I recommend a third party over XP's every time. Third party firewalls may also block file sharing so you may have to lower their protection level when you are wanting to browse files. Simply disabling all firewalls would be a quick and easy to way to determine if a firewall is the cause.

That should be about it, of course, make sure you reboot after making any of the configuration changes and wait a few moments for your pc's to "see" each other before attempting to browse files. If you are still unable to browse files, post back with any error messages you might be receiving and we can help ya further from there

Anubis

 

Thank you SO MUCH Anubis!!! Your message was clear and concise and you obviously know what the obstacles are to file sharing. It turns out that I had to re-adjust the security levels for my firewalls AND enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP on my laptop. Everything is working fine now. You have my thanks and admiration!! Doug

 

Give the guy a rep point

 

Hey no problem Doug, just glad I could help It's appreciative posts like that, that make being here worth it. Happy file sharing

 

I'd love to! How do I do that? Doug

 

Just click the scale under the user's name (just next to the grey/green dot).

-Vb-