Sharing files and networking

I have a Linksys router and 2 laptops running XP.

I was told it was simple to share files etc...
So I right clicked on the folder I wanted to share and went through the various screens, seemed simple.

But I've yet to get this to work. I won't bore you with all the iterations I've gone through since, but still not working.

Sooo, starting from scratch can someone help me through the steps to set this up and also once it's set up how would I actually share files.

p.s. since there is bound to be problems could you also include any things NOT to do or things check...

Thanks

 

I assume you are using XP? The steps are a little different in Vista.

First, make sure File and Printer Sharing is turned on. Right click My Network Places and go to properties. Right click on Local Area Network (what ever your NIC is called) and go to properties and verify File and Printer sharing is checked.

The find the folder you want to share. Right click on it and select Sharing and Security. Check the box that says Share this computer on the network.

Go to the second pc. Go to start and click run. In the Dialog box type //COMPUTERNAME and click ok. If that does not work you can try putting the IP address in place of the computer name. Once it is working you can map the shared folder as a network drive on the second computer to make moving files easier in the future.

Hope it helps, I may have forgotten something.

 

I've tried this 15 different ways and still no luck, there must be some simple
thing that is not set up right, is there a way to confirm I'm set up right ?

Or is there an alternate way to do this.
My objective os to copy some folders 20gig worth to my other computer.

 

Are both computers in the same network? Can you ping between them?

You could try using remote desktop to move the files as well.

 

How can I verify they are both on the same network ?
They are using the same router...


How would I use the remote desktop ?

 

Here's a basic home network how-to:

Each computer must belong to the same workgroup and have a unique computer name. Right click on My Computer, select properties, then Computer Name, and look at the workgroup name. If the computers are on different workgroups, you need to set them to the same workgroup by clicking on the "Change..." button. The same goes for the computer name.

Once the computers are in the same workgroup, you need to make sure file and printer sharing is enabled. Go to the control panel and open Network Connections. Right click on the network connection you are using and select properties. In the General tab, you should have "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" enabled. If it isn't enabled, enable it.

You should also turn of simple file sharing. Open up My Computer, then select Tools -> Folder Options. Switch to the View tab and go all the way to the bottom and disable "Use simple file sharing (Recommended)".

Now, all you have to do is right click on the file/folder you want to share and select Sharing and Security. In the Sharing tab, enable "Share this folder". You cannot share any files or folders that are inside your profile, ie: My Documents.

If you still can't share files, check your software firewall settings. You can temporarily turn off the firewall on both computers - if sharing works, you know it's a firewall issue.

Of course, these instructions may not apply as you haven't identified the operating systems you are using. These are for XP systems, so if you are using Vista you may have to take different steps to achieve the same result.