Home Network Issues

[yvonnet]

I have completely formatted and re-installed Windows XP on both my PC and my laptop. Fingers crossed, all seems fine so far and everything is working as it should. I've even managed to set up the wireless connection between the two and that's working as well. It's secure too so don't know how I managed it without going wrong but I suppose I have to be able to get something right at some stage!

My problem, however, concerns home networking the two computers. I have run the Network Setup Wizard on both, and set up a network on the PC called Village1. My Network Places on Computer 1 (PC) shows SharedDocs on PC under LOCAL NETWORK, and SharedDocs on Laptop (Computer 2) under THE INTERNET.

But.......nothing at all shows under My Network Places on Computer 2 (laptop) and when I try to access via View Workgroup Computers I get the following message:

Village1 is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. The network path was not found.

I've tried to do a bit of troubleshooting myself but am getting very confused. Should I have whatever is known as network adaptors on both computers and if so, what on earth are they?! Thought I had this sorted out with the wireless adaptors, but do they not do the home network side of the job, and only the internet thing?

Any help would be very gratefully received

Thanks
Yvonne

[Monty007]

Hi, after you formatted the laptop did you reinstall the network drivers? Go to my computer>right click>go to properties>device manager>and is there any thing listed in there with a yellow symbol?

[yvonnet]

Hello, thanks for the response, I'm very grateful.

The only thing listed with a yellow exclamation mark is a Video Controller (VGA Compatible). I've tried re-installing the drivers via the Properties tab, but no luck, so now I have another problem!

Tried the laptop manufacturers website but didn't see anything that looked like it might be what I needed - although to be fair I'm not sure what that might be...............

Yvonne

[Monty007]

OK do you have file and print sharing enabled on the lap top> Go to my network places>right click>properties>right click your network adapter>properties and file and print sharing should be ticked, also chech your firewall to see if it is enabled there as well.

[yvonnet]

Yes, both enabled but still no joy............

[Monty007]

Can Village 1 access the net? If you can access the net try this on the other PC Go to >run type in \\village1
It must be spelled exactly, so the example above is only a guess on my part.
I would try disabling the firewall altogeather for this exercise.

[yvonnet]

I disabled both the Windows and McAfee firewalls on my Computer 2 and tried as you suggested. Held my breath and waited - error message came up to say network path not found - aargh!

I do appreciate the time you are putting in to help me - any more suggestions please, or do I have to accept that Computer 1 can see Computer 2, but computer 2 will never be able to communicate with Computer 1?

[Monty007]

Run the network set up wizard on PC 2. I will get back to you later as Im off to work.

[yvonnet]

Ran this several times with the same result as my first post I'm afraid................

[plthayer]

Are they both running the same version of xp or is one home and the other pro?
There are some issues between xp home and pro with file sharing. I've run into this several times in the past. The easiest way to do it if they are different is to run the setup wizard from the pro computer and have it create a network setup disk. Run the setup disk on the other computer and it should correct any errors in the settings that are preventing it from working.

[yvonnet]

Both are XP Home, but I'll do as you suggest as it may just be what's needed.

I'll report back!

Thanks for the help
Yvonne