Home network, looking for server to share files between computers.

Yes i am, the laptop has xp pro the other 2 pc's are just home edition. My pc won't acknowledge the laptop and vice versa, the othe home edition pc communicates no problem with the laptop. All are setup for network : MShome.

Just seen previous post, will get onto it right now. Thanks for your assistance so far.

Oh you're using Home Editions no wonder you're having problems. Better to have XP Pro running on all PCs. Home isn't network friendly, no security features can't run domain on it. Well you're at home you don't need a domain. To fix the home editon problems you need to download X-Setup http://www.x-setup.net/ and use the network login tool to trick the Home Edition to act like XP Pro. I've done this myself when I had home Edition on the new Laptop.

Network Login you would have to make by default: username, password and your workgroup name MSHome. So everytime you login on the Home ED it will connect to your network automatically when you turn on your laptop. Still the XP Pro would be idea as it will give you better security for your network. I got rid of the Home ED and installed XP Pro...

hmm, i've made the reccomended adjustments to the laptop(pro) computer will see whats up on this one and possibly consider going pro. I'll update this post with a response, got a fair bit of backing up to do if i make the switch.

Okay take your time, no rush.. Report back how you make out okay?

XP/Pro will have gpedit.msc, XP/home does not

XP/Home only uses Simple File Sharing AND uses the Guest account for access
(even though it is disabled for login). REVERIFY this.

I have XP/Home and can share nicely with OS/X (ie a Mac), Win/98se, and Linux, so it can work.

True but didn't he say Pro for the Laptop that wasn't connecting.. The other are home yes they don't have those features so X-Setup would be the best bet to use Network login trick

this is opinon and not fact.

Sorry for the confusion, it's a desktop (xp-home) which won't connect. The laptop(xp-pro) as well as another secondary desktop (xp-home) will connect to each other fine. This is the odd one out.

Try X-Setup on the home desktop and see if that works for you, but remember that desktop will login automatically when you reboot.

opinions vary on this subject

simple fyi documentation: XP/* defaults to workgroup name MSHOME, while Win/98 defaults to WORKGROUP

Ok so i'm thinking i'll go xp pro just to keep things even, the LanSpy tool seems noteworthy so i'll throw that in the mix.

No doubt this will probably make the process longer but i think overall may create more stability. I'm thinking it's good to have a clue about user permissions also.

Now if only i could back the files up on the laptop

You can get one of those backup drives cheap, depending where you live. Yes the Lanspy tool is very handy, but it has some limits, that most home users won't notice. When I was using it on our work domain it won't work with computers named: WSSHR-ALBANLTR this is where it just won't work. I've tried the same computer name on WS_PINGPACK PRO nice program to use under Windows not for free though able to tell you if that computer name is active on the domain.

Yes it's better to use XP Pro on every PC on your home network more stable connections..

What a long thread.. And the solution, reinstall the OS? Heh!

It's probably too late, but how about some systematic approach to things with thought in it instead of blindly following random steps?

First, what you want the problematic machine to do? To share files or access resources shared by others?

Let's assume the latter, OK?
Starting from bottom up:
Work with IP addresses only for now. Name resolution is an extra layer of confusion. Disable all your software firewalls. Even better if you just plain uninstall all firewalls, VPN software, packet sniffers. You can put stuff back when it works.

- Does the server work? (Yes it does)

- Can you ping the server? (Yes you can)

- Can you reach the file services on the server?
Try "telnet server.machine.ip.address 139". If you get a blank black window with a flashing cursor, then the network connection works.

- The moment of truth.. Can you see the shares on the server?
Put in \\server.ip.address in a Windows Explorer window.

- Check whether you have Client for Microsoft Networks installed. (See the properties of your Local Area Connection and make sure you see the relevant entry and it has a check box in front of it). Uninstall and reinstall the component.

- Check whether the Workstation service is running. (This and its dependencies is the only thing you need to access file shares).

- See the Event Viewer for any errors pertaining to Workstation service or any of the dependencies.


Try that stuff and back with results.

I really didn't want to go that far. Jobeard mentioned a few services of which two were set to manual rather than automatic, at this point i could ping the other address. I can say it wasn't a firewall issue, it's possible Client for Microsoft Networks was the issue.

: I just installed xp-pro. Definately food for thought, will keep in mind when adjusting dependencies this install. I am thinking maybe I should take a more conservative approach to resource managemen and security.

Now i'm having a wtf moment. The laptop is asking for username and password for access to the network although no passwords are set for login.
o
I assume this is due to user permissions, if anyone can be stuffed could you walk me through the process.

Can connect to telnet however system shares is username password error.