Sharing files and printer on a wireless network

[yalamo]

I have a Edimax BR-6114WG wireless router.

It is connected to my desktop PC by a LAN port and to my laptop (both XP Home) through a (encrypted) wireless link. The WAN port is connected to my cable modem, and right now, both computers can surf the web just fine.

My question is, how do I set up my computers so that they can share files and the printer connected to my desktop?

 

[ImpetusEra]

Go start then help, select index and type in File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks. That will give you a walkthrough on the process.

 

[yalamo]

ImpetusEra, thanks for the quick answer.

I followed the help instructions, and went through the Network Setup Wizard on both computers, and the situation is as follows:

Web surfing seems to be slower from the laptop, which is wirelessly linked. When I listen to a web radio station, I get more dropouts than I used to get. (Yesterday I didn't have any dropouts.)

When I try to see the laptop from the desktop, I get a window that says, in effect, that I don't have access to it, and I may not have permission to use the resource.

I can't see the desktop from the laptop, when I search for it using Windows Explorer.

Any suggestions?

Oh, yes - how do I turn off File and Printer sharing if I want to?

 

[ImpetusEra]

Not having windows XP will make it a challenge to get my directions down to a T but there should be a "My Network Places" or something to that effect either on the desktop or start menu. If you right-click on it and go to properties it will list things such as "Make New Connection" and there should be a "Local Area Connection". Right-click "Local Area Connection" and go to properties and in there you'll see "Client For Microsoft Networks" and File and Print Sharing For Microsoft Networks". You can either uncheck them to disable them or click uninstall for each to completely remove the service. Now I'll give you some links to read through on file and print sharing. The reason they can't really see or access eachother is probably XP's firewall.

How to configure file sharing in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q304040

Internet firewalls can prevent browsing and file sharing

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/298804

HOW TO: Enable or Disable Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283673

 

[cdogg]

Maybe this tutorial (with screenshots) will help:

http://www.wown.com/articles_tutorials/wxppntsh.html

http://www.wown.com

has a ton of info in other tutorials related to sharing files/resources.


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[yalamo]

ImpetusEra and cdogg, thanks for the advice and references.

I've just become very busy for the next two weeks, so I won't be able to tackle this problem till after the New Year. I appreciate your help, and I'll let you know how things turned out after Jan. 1.

 

[cvelozo]

Had the same problem. After about 10 hours found this solution. Run XP Network Setup Wizard (in Control Panel) on each of your computers. When running it you do not have to select "create a floppy" but simply need to run the wizard on each of your computers being sure to give each of your computers a name and more importantly use the same "workgroup" name on each of your computers. You will have to restart each of the computers to finish the installation. Then the shared files and printers from each of your computers should show up under My Network Places, Entire Network, Microsoft Windows Network, name-of-your network.

Note, if your Wireless network was not installed (i.e., could not connect to your broadband via your networked computers, you would first run XP Wireless Network Setup Wizard.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[yalamo]

Actually, I found a very simple way to do these things (at least for Win XP):

For the printer, go to Printers and Faxes in the control panel, right click on your printer, go to sharing, check "Share this printer", and give it a name, and you're set.

To share files, in Windows Explorer, right click on the drive or folder you want to share, go to "Sharing and Security", under "Network Sharing", check "Share this folder" and decide if you want to allow the rest of the network to change the files as well. That's it.