Please please help with my home network setup

Hi all,
I am hoping someone can help me here.

HERE IS WHAT I WANT TO DO…

Create a network where I can access my data (files, music, pictures, Favorites) from the laptop and desktop
Print wirelessly from laptop
Use the same favorites in Internet Explorer when on either computer

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE…

A new Dell laptop (60GB drive) running XP
A 6 year old Sony desktop (80GB drive) running XP
A wireless router (Actiontec router using Verizon FIOS) and wireless card in my laptop.

Currently, the Ethernet cable from the wall goes into the router and an Ethernet cable goes from the router into my desktop. I currently have internet access from the laptop and desktop.

What is my next step in order to do the 3 things above? Is there a good link on this site that addresses this?

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I have run the Network wizard on my laptop successfully, but when I tried to run it on my desktop I get the message….

“CANNOT COMPLETE THE NETWORK SETUP WIZARD

An error occurred during configuration of the network on this computer.
You can configure your network manually, or you can run the wizard again with different settings.” I can't get by this.

 

I would go ahead and create a workgroup between the two computers. Right click My computer>Properties>Computer Name>Chance Button. Name the workgroup (name does not matter as long as it's the same on all machines) restart the computer. Play around in My Network Places and My Shared Documents to get everything setup properly. You can change what sort of file permissions you want, whether you want to share the root drive, etc.

 

File, music and pictures are not to hard, favorites are going to require a script. A NAS would make thing easier. Some have software for hosting your music. With a NAS you will not be required to have your pc's on. Unless you want to turn one into a FTP Server.

To be able to print wirelessly you have a couple of options.
1. Buy a network printer
2. add a wireless print server to your existing printer
3. turn your old dell into a Linux box to host your files and work as a print server.

 

not possible without some kind of domain setup (roaming profile) to my knowledge.

browsing files on your shared folder is easier if you just use RUN and put in \\computername\shared folder.

 

for favorites you will just have to manual copy them over or set the folders up to sync....hmm. never tried that with my favorites but I have other folders setup to sync.

IE favorites are located here:
C:\Documents and Settings\*username*\Favorites

 

FF: is in the same area of C:\Documents and Settings\*username*\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\****.username\bookmarks

There is a extension to copy passwords to transfer between machine, with encryption options.

 

OK, I played and experimented for awhile and I THOUGHT I had this all working but evidently not.

Here is what I am doing. The network is all set up OK.. I think. But when I go to the server computer (Sony VAIO) and share a specific directory (e.g. D:\1Nikon), I can view it on the client computer (Dell) when I click on My Network Places, but when I go to click into the directory, I get the message...

""\\VAIO\1Nikon is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of thie server to find out if you have access permissions.

No network provider accepted the given network path"

I am not sure what this means. I even specifically made the directory NOT read only but this didn't make a difference. And I am the administrator so I am now contacting myself. HAHA..

What kills me is that this WAS working before. I could go into the Dell and view files that sit on my Sony VAIO. But now I can't. I started all over but am still stuck.

Any advice?

Thanks in advance!!!



P.S. I see some advice on the Favorites...I'm going to play with the Favorites once I get the sharing problem fixed.

 

I failed to mention that my main computer is plugged (USB) into the printer and only need to print wirelessly from the laptop. Setting up the network enabled me to do that.

So my printing dilemma is solved. Thanks!!! Now to resolve my sharing files problem....

 

Check this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=93695&highlight=simple+file+sharing

 

Hmm... this is interesting. I was always wondering why my old Sony did not even have that option under Tools, Folder Options. My new Dell has a checkbox for SIMPLE FILE SHARING but the Sony didn't. What is stated in the link you provided explains why.

I will give this a shot. I assume there's no downside or ill effects from turning SIMPLE FILE SHARING off?



Thanks!

 

BigV and all..

I tried that link but the suggestions did not help.

I am attaching some screenshots on what I am running into. This took a bit of time to put together so if all you great folks could take a quick look and let me know your thoughts, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!!!!

 

to take on your final question first, you just un-share them on the host computer.

just as a thought, and to eliminate it as a culprit, remove the space from the workgroup name (ie. rim2, not rim 2)

as for why your computer would mysteriously appear, that's pretty normal because the computers have to sync up by sending a message out over the broadcast subnet (basically a call to all computers on the network) to see what's where. this should only take a minute or two, though. which computer were you browsing the network from when you took those screenshots?

also, do you have passwords for all accounts? I know this gave me grief when I was setting up my home network. if you only have a single account and don't want to enter your password every time, you can download TweakUI from microsoft, and that will allow you to automatically log on a password protected account.

 

Eliminate the space and one of the names had a apostrophe in it. Use underscore "_" for spaces. Only XP can handle spaces and apostrophes. You do not need TweekkUI to setup password, even though it has a nice collection of utilitites. Go to ports properties and use "Client for MS Network". Add a password to your login name, under users accounts (control panels).

 

I changed the workgroup to Rim on both computers and things seem to be working better. Previously RIM 2 was somehow assigned (I never created it) and I was UNABLE TO RENAME IT ON MY DELL, so I had just kept it. But now I can rename it on the Dell so I made the change. Weird but I won't ask why. Also I can now delete folders in my network places..previously I could not (even after I had unshared them).

Also.. I have no passwords set up for anything so I don't think that was effecting anything.

Hopefully things continue to work. If not you might hear back from me.

Thanks for your help all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

One more thing...

In order to network from a client computer to the host computer, does the host computer have to be on? i.e. can it be on standby or must it be on?

This may seem like a silly question but I just wanted to verify.

Thanks!

 

To answer your question about how long it takes to "sync" up, those screenshots were taken 20 minutes later. So it certainly doesn't take a minute or two in my situation. In fact, I am right now going on over an hour since I turned on my Dell laptop and still don't see the Sony show up in the workgroup. Yesterday it was there. The Sony is ON, not just on standby.

What bugs me about this is the inconsistency. One day it will be fine, the next day it won't. What could explain that? My one friend suggested distance could be a factor but my host and client are only 15 feet away from each other.

One thing that is pretty consistent is that the Sony (host) always sees the Dell (client) but the Dell sometimes sees the Sony, but sometimes doesn't.

Any other suggestions before I put up the white flag and give up on this?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!


UPDATE...5 minutes later. I just went to the Sony and clicked on My Network Places and simply drilled into them (expanded) and now I see the Sony on the Dell. Does that make ANY SENSE? I would think as long as the host is on, the client should see it..that you wouldn't have to click anything on the Sony for it to show up... so confused....

 

Is all the computers in the same work group?

And do you have 1 pc acting as the LMhost?
This one must be on at all times.

And some routers have a privacy feature so clients can't see each other too.

 

Yes all in the same workgroup
Yes the Sony (desktop) is acting as the host.
Not sure about the router settings..it's the one that Verizon provided when they hooked me up with FIOS service. It's definitely letting clients see each other b/c my network works most of the time... just not ALL the time, which I find weird.

If it was a consistent problem, I wouldn't be as confused. But it's the inconsistency that is driving me crazy. If I notice anything that I think is causing problems I'll post back here or create a new post.

THANKS FOR EVERYONE'S HELP WITH THIS!!!!