Looking for some help folks...

I've now got a broadband router (linksys WRT54G) and I've managed to get it set up so I've now got 3 pooters running through it, and they all get on the network fine as long as they're hardwired!

But I have 2 issues:

1. laptop won't connect wirelessly but will if hardwired

2. the different pcs can 'see' each other but won't allow me to access files on one from another

help!!

what do I need to do? I've tried running network setup wizard again but that hasn't helped....

Looking for some help folks...

I've now got a broadband router (linksys WRT54G) and I've managed to get it set up so I've now got 3 pooters running through it' date=' and they all get on the network fine as long as they're hardwired!

But I have 2 issues:

1. laptop won't connect wirelessly but will if hardwired

2. the different pcs can 'see' each other but won't allow me to access files on one from another

help!!

what do I need to do? I've tried running network setup wizard again but that hasn't helped....[/quote']

To access files on other pc's you have to enable file/printer sharing on each one as part of the network setup wizard.

You need to set up sharing on the folders you want to be able to see from the other computers.

Right click on the folder and go to sharing and security on the menu. Then set up a name for the folder for other computers to see.

In terms of the wireless issue I'm not sure but it sounds like a security issue - perhaps the router security is too high and need to be reduced until your laptop has connected to the router and then raised again. However I'm not a great fan of wireless so other people may have better answers on that.

I've already gone in and set up file sharing on the 3 pooters.... the error I'm getting is

\\pcname 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 would go through the manual carefully on the wireless side and also make sure that your firewall is set up correctly. I find the XP built-in firewall a waste of time and use Zonealarm instead. Sharing files may be an issue if you are running a mixture of Windows 2000/XP and windows 95/98 too.

Find out whether it is a network access problem or a file permissions problem by doing the following...

Open a command prompt by clicking on Start - Run and then typing cmd and clicking Ok. In the command window type ping pcname (where pcname is the name of the computer you are trying to access). You should get 4 replies - if you get 'Request Timed Out' then this suggests a network or firewall issue.

HTH

So, I have managed to set up so the 3 lappys and desktop in my house can connect wireless (securely) to the internet, but how do you view other PCs?

I really am a numpty!

Find out whether it is a network access problem or a file permissions problem by doing the following...

Open a command prompt by clicking on Start - Run and then typing cmd and clicking Ok. In the command window type ping pcname (where pcname is the name of the computer you are trying to access). You should get 4 replies - if you get 'Request Timed Out' then this suggests a network or firewall issue.

HTH

hmmm.... says it can't find the host name....

are they all set up to use dhcp network addresses from your router?

are they all set up to use dhcp network addresses from your router?

erm... sorry to be a numpty, but how do I check that??

Looking for some help folks...

I've now got a broadband router (linksys WRT54G) and I've managed to get it set up so I've now got 3 pooters running through it' date=' and they all get on the network fine as long as they're hardwired!

But I have 2 issues:

1. laptop won't connect wirelessly but will if hardwired

2. the different pcs can 'see' each other but won't allow me to access files on one from another

help!!

what do I need to do? I've tried running network setup wizard again but that hasn't helped....[/quote']

A few things to try:

Disable the firewalls in the PCs. Set the permissions in the DHCP client list if applicable. Disable XP firewall if active on the laptop. Also, check how you go with encryption. I set up a wireless network here yesterday and can now read stuff on the guy next doors computer:)

Edit: I have been selling PCs for 6 years, but always got someone else to do the network stuff where I could. Almost everything I know about network setups was learned from "Networking for Dummies".

Chris

Chris

All advice so far is really good, once they are talking you would need to sort out the file shares pusscat, if it's XP SP2 then the anonymous logon group is split out of the "everyone" group, so you will have to add anon logon and everyone if you don't want to go to the trouble of setting up extra duplicate users on the other machines.

Windows firewall has a nasty habit of staying enabled even when disabled, best way to kill it all together is by turning off the service for ICS / Windows firewall (internet connection sharing) it's a feature (feature is spelt B U G)

fluff'

As previously said, for the wireless connection issue, I'd check the security settings on your router, along with how the wireless is setup. I would remove all the wireless security settings to start with, and then go from there.

If one PC can't 'see' the other by hostname, I'd try connecting by IP instead. For the PC you're trying to access, goto Start/Run, CMD, then type ipconfig. That will display the PCs IP address. Then, on the other PC, goto Start/Run again, and type \\ followed by the other PC's IP address.

Good luck

Steve

My netgear router has a control panel where you simply click on wireless settings, it says the I.P address of the machine trying to access, and you click "allow" - then that laptop can surf wirelessly. All my other security settings were turned off as they weren't really needed.

No encrption Jason, I hope you dont do online ordering over wireless without any wep/wpa turned on. Your card numbers/usernames and passwords are all there for everyone to see.

I have a belkin Pre-N router, which after I binned the dodgy featureless belkin firmware which has been changed to linksys is now using WPA encryption with MAC address limiting enabled.

Good news... it's now sorted!!

It WAS a security thing..... Norton was blocking access to the P1.6.... so I sorted it by telling it the range of IP addresses it could trust, and off we went!

Also I realised my wireless network wasn't secure so I've been through and sorted (encrypted) that now - that had the side effect of making my laptop able to access the desktops and vice versa as well!

So, all in all, I'm now a very happy bunny, and celebrating with a glass of wine!

Cheers for your help everyone....

Well done, glad it got sorted in the end.

Steve

Norton! Oh nasty. wouldn't have it about me. Mucked up every pc i've found it on or put it on. Removal now would cause havoc but if you ever have to re-install Windows, do yourself a favour and go for AVG Antivirus, Zone Alarm, Spybot and Adaware.

Glad to hear you got it up and running by the way