WLAN working but no file sharing

Hi
I just recently bought my new dell laptop and a Linksys wrt54g wireless router. One of my friends came over and set it up(thru the ip address mechanism), so that now my desktop is connected to the router thru an ethernet cable and the dell CAN be connected to the net wirelessly.

Now my problem is that I want to use file sharing on this network....

To do this I had run the "setup a home or small network" wizard, however I believe this works for wired computers as i got a network cable unplugged message .....

I then tried the "Setup a wireless network for home or small office" wizard but got a message stating that Wireless Network Setup wizard did not work, citing
article 871122. I think this is because Dell's own wireless utility has an option "Let this tool manage your wireless networks".
I did disable that and tried to set it up again , and the wizard worked however somewhere i got lost n confused and so still no file sharing

Can someone help me ?

Thanks

 

1) Both computers have to be in the same workgroup.
2) The same username and password have to be on both computers.
3) Enable File & Printer Sharing on both computers.
4) Share out what you want shared, and set permissions for the user.

 

not necessarily #2. XP Home just uses a guest account of sorts to do simple file/printer sharing, from what I've read. If you have XP Pro, you still need to explicitly set up user-level security/permissions.

 

#3 is only necessary if you want to move files from either machine. If 1 direction only, just that one.

Remember with your NB if you go to another location you may open your self up for other to access your PC and or files. Make sure you shut it down when not needed and have a Personal FW loaded, like the Free Comodo.

 

That's why I said to set permissions for the user. I always shut off all permissions for Everyone on all my shares. But it's up to personal preference. If you want everyone at Starbuck's to have access to your shared files, then leave Everyone turned on.

 

Thanks for the responses.....

Sorry but i'm a complete n00b on this and so will have to trouble you for a furthur clarification ..... do i use the "setup a home or small network" wizard or the "Setup a wireless network for home or small office" wizard??

I am asking this as i had used the "setup a home or small network" wizard earlier and all the given 4 points were met, however as i pointed out in my 1st post, i got a network cable unplugged message..... so what am i doing wrong here???

Thanks again

 

On the Desktop, right click My Computer and left click on Properties
Left click on Computer Name tab. Make sure both computers have the same word next to Workgroup:.
If not, left click on Change...
Type in the word you want for your workgroup in the space below Workgroup:.
Left click on OK.
The computer will need to reboot.

Post back once both computers are in the same workgroup.

 

Well both the computers are now on the same workgroup ( i made it TEST) but still unable to see anything of the other on either one of them.....

 

***Bump***

 

OK.

* Left click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
* Double left click Network Connections.
* Right click your active network conection, and left click Properties.
* If you don't have File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks in the list, left click Install, left click Service, left click Add....
* Left click on File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks in the right pane with Microsoft in the left pane.
* Left click on OK.
* If there's not a check next to File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, left click on the box to the left of File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks to check it.
* Left click on OK.

Post back once both computers have File & Printer Sharing turned on.

 

Ok did what you said n it was already enabled....
To add to my earlier information, I can ping my desktop from my laptop but can't ping my laptop from my desktop....

On my Desktop,in "View workgroup computers", I can see my laptop but can't open or explore it as it gives me an error message that it is not accessible and that I might not have permission to use the network resource.

On my Laptop when I try to "View workgroup computers", I get an error message that my workgroup is not accessible and i may not have permission to use that network resource.

Adding to the above , on my desktop I can view the shared documents on my desktop as well as those on my friend's laptop(which I can access by the way, even though he is on a different workgroup) however on my laptop I see nothing, not even the shared documents on the laptop itself....

I'm totally stumped....How can my desktop access my friend's laptop by not my own??

 

Try disabling the Windows Firewall on your laptop, and see what that gets you.

 

Hi
Thanks for the quick reply...
The windows firewall was always off...1st thing i had done......

 

Uh if it is possible , can I get your msn/yahoo/aim chat id so i can ask you directly? it'll be easier for u too as i can clarify my problem clearer ....
If its not too much a hassle for you
thnx

 

Don't have any chat programs.

So, your laptop is on the same network and in the same workgroup as your desktop. Both systems are using DHCP from the same source. You have sharing enabled on both computers, and folders shared out on both. You're logged in on both systems with the same username and password. You're able to access the internet on both systems. But, you can't access the shared folders on either system from the other.

This is a stumper.

Can your friend on his laptop access the shared folders on your desktop and laptop?

 

If XP - Pro Uncheck simple file sharing.

 

Hi
Guess I'm Skewerd
Nehow I'm using Windows XP Media Center Edition, which I guess is built upon XP Home right?
Also yes my friend can access shared folders on my desktop and the desktop can access shared folders on his laptop

Well if u can get whats wrong please do reply
However even if u can't, thanks a lot for replying and trying ur best
I'll try to see if I can find some networking guy

 

One Last time
*Bump*