Need help networking 2 computers

[vivid_vibe]

I am trying to network 2 computers to share files and printer use. I currently have a router with 2 computers and an XBOX 360 sharing internet access, all works fine. I recently tried to allow the 2 PCs to share file and printer use and it just will not work. I have tried running the network setup wizard on both PCs, I have tried network troubleshooting in Windows Help, and I have tried reading some guides online, but all to no avail. Can anyone help me solve this seemingly simple dilemma? I'm not sure what information I need to supply in this post to help, but both PCs are running XP Pro and they both have working internet access through the router. The XBOX also connects through the router just fine, and not only that, the XBOX connects just fine to one of the PCs to stream music and video from it. Let me know if anymore information can be of help, and any help or pointers will be much appreciated (and repped of course). Thanks,

vivid

 

[omg its nlm]

Couple things off hand maybe you can or can not answer.

Are they both on the same workgroup?

Can you ping them?

Have you tried accessing them through IP?

 

[vivid_vibe]

Couple things off hand maybe you can or can not answer.

Are they both on the same workgroup?

Yes, they are.

Can you ping them?

Yes, both machines can ping each other.

Have you tried accessing them through IP?

I'm not sure what you mean by that.

 

[Shamus MacNoob]

All accounts must be password protected

 

[vivid_vibe]

All accounts must be password protected

They are.

 

[tzepp@cox.net]

any chance it's your firewall?

 

[vivid_vibe]

any chance it's your firewall?

No, the appropriate IP addresses have been allowed.

 

[Dark Atheist]

have you set the folders you want to share and the users allowed to view them

 

[hansrijf]

Do you use the same accountnames and passwords on both computers?

For printersharing you need to add the printer that is connected to pc 1 to pc 2. Go (on pc 2) to start - printers - add printer and look for the networkprinter connected to pc 1 (you can also manually add the printer by typing it's name like \\name pc 1\name printer on pc 1. After this the drivers must be/will be installed on pc 2.

Now you should be able to print from pc 2 but only if pc 1 is running.

 

[vivid_vibe]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but this is something that is bugging the crap out of me. I really want these 2 comps networked, at the least, they need to share a printer. Is there a chance that I have a service disabled that is necessary? I have been through every other option. Thanks to anyone who can solve this mystery. If any other info is needed, please don't hesitate to ask. Thanks,

vivid

 

[hansrijf]

Did you share the printer? I mean, share the printer itself?

 

[j79zlr]

Lets start from the beginning. You have 2 XP Pro PC's. Make sure you have identical usernames and passwords on both PC's. To simplify, make sure they are both in the same workgroup and have unique computer names. Enable NetBIOS over TCP. Share something. That should be it.

 

[vivid_vibe]

Did you share the printer? I mean, share the printer itself?

Yes.

Lets start from the beginning. You have 2 XP Pro PC's. Make sure you have identical usernames and passwords on both PC's. To simplify, make sure they are both in the same workgroup and have unique computer names.

Check.

Enable NetBIOS over TCP.

Check.

Share something. That should be it.

I have covered everything you mentioned, to no avail. Thanks, I will... keep trying.

vivid

 

[CipheR]

Yes.


Check.


Check.


I have covered everything you mentioned, to no avail. Thanks, I will... keep trying.

vivid

As your connecting to the internet through a router which probably has some form of firewall in it, try completely disabling the Windows firewall on both PC's. Though you have allowed the IP's access through the firewall it doesnt mean anything will work. I have seen this problem many times and one of the most common fixes is disabling the XP firewall.