PC and Laptop can’t see each other on my network. 1

[violetta]

I need to be able to use my printer from my laptop occasionally. It is directly connected to my PC. I used to be able to do this, now I can’t. It might have something to do with the fact that I used a registry cleaner on my PC. I don’t know.
All the tech support I’ve gotten, so far tells me to do what I have already done: Network Discovery is on and I’ve changed to Private Network on both computers. Also, both computers’ workgoup are named the same. Does anyone know what I can do to fix this?
I can't connect my printer to my router because it's in the attic.

 

[linney]

Can you share anything between your machines or is it only the printer which is giving problems?

Does the registry Cleaner that you used have any restore or undo function? Can System Restore get you back to before the problem?

Can the machines Ping one another?

Can they communicate from within "Safe Mode with Networking"?

Is it a firewalling problem?

What type of connection runs between the machines, is it Wireless or Ethernet? Do both have Internet access?

Have you tried resetting the Winsock files on both machines by typing Netsh Winsock Reset at an elevated Command Prompt?

See the paragraph "Accessing a Shared Folder or Printer with Windows Vista"

File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx

Windows Vista: Networking

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/networking.mspx

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;325487&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[violetta]

1. I can’t share anything between the computers.
2. I think I can restore before they quit sharing, but I’d rather not because I just downloaded a new virus protection software. Also, I’m not sure when it stopped sharing. More to say about that if it is necessary. I don’t want to bore you.
3. They can ping each other.
4. I haven’t tried the safe mode with networking. I’ll try that next.
5. Firewall is no problem.
6. Both machines are wireless and have Internet access.
7. I don’t understand what an elevated command prompt is, but I just opened “Run” and typed in CMD. Then I reset the winsock as you suggested, on both computers. This did not help, as far as I know.
8. I will look at the paragraph. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

 

[linney]

Did they stop sharing after you downloaded the Anti Virus software? Some Anti Virus software includes hidden firewalling components.

An Elevated Command Prompt (or an Elevated anything) is when you right-click on the Shortcut or .exe and select the "Run As Administrator" option. Even your Administrator user only runs with Standard user rights in Vista.

Other things that have hidden firewalling components include some Nvidia Network Cards.

Although they are Wireless, is there a Router, or anything similar, that they connect to, or through?

 

[violetta]

1. I’m not sure when they quit sharing, but I think it was before the Anti Virus program. For one thing, the Lap Top still had the old one running. I thought at first that was the reason—competing anti virus.

2. Thank you for the definition of “elevated”, I’m always glad to learn new things.

3. I don’t think I’ve changed anything with Nvidia.

4. I have a modem and a router that are connected, of course, but they are in the attic. My machines are down stairs. I couldn’t get the satellite people to run a line because of the configuration of my house and roofline.

If I don’t get a solution, I guess I’ll just have to try the restore option. I’m not looking forward to it. Thank you so much.

 

[linney]

Is your laptop able to access Shares on a friends or relatives computer if you take it for a visit?

Have you tried creating a new Shared Folder on both computers at home. Give the Everyone group full access in the Sharing Permissions. Also check the NTFS files access Permission via the Security tab of the new Shared Folder and give the Everyone group full control via that. Having done that can the Shared Folder be accessed from the other computer (and vice versa too)?

Are you getting any error message when you try to access a Shared Folder or the Printer?

 

[violetta]

Thank you so much. I'm going to try that, though I'm not sure I understand all of it. I'll research. You have been a big help.