Aaargh....having just bought a wireless router I'm able to share my internet connection between the two but am completely unable to link the two in a workgroup to transfer files (running XP Home SP2 and MCE)

Signal strength is always high and I've named the two PC's etc having RTFM'ed to the letter. But when it comes to adding the other PC to the group by running that stupid wizard a second time I'm always unable to see it :lamer: :gnasher: :cussing:

I know this is vague but I attempted all this this yesterday and have since damaged the GFX card in the media centre PC by mis-water cooling it/statically fried it ( artifacts on screen - probably zapped a memory module while fitting the coolriver's waterblock with the unwieldy and rubbish 'universal' clip...it was a spare part anyway so not too peeved). I'll try again tomorrow with a different card, in the meantime I wonder if anyone knows that I'm missing something obvious? PLEEEEEASE help :bigeyes:

I had this problem... but it's all sorted now I'll have a good think and write up a 'how to' for you

Just a thought tho - have you tried switching it ALL off, and then ALL back on again, starting with router and then addding a pc at a time?? I seem to remember I had to do that once or twice before they finally 'saw' each other

Where does the internet connect to your network? Straight into the router, or into one of the PCs?

If you create a workgroup -- each PC will need to be restarted to activate it.Also some routers apply there own IP addresses so if you have IP adresses on your PC that might cause a conflict.

I've just recently setup 3 PC's at home in a workgroup.

I first setup my main PC so that I could setup the router,once I had the router up & running for that PC, I made sure that the IP settings were set to automatic on the other 2 PC's - set them to join the workgroup - restarted and then just set any files of folders to allow sharing

Sooooo many things it could be here.

Assumptions:

1. Your router is the DHCP server, and you have all the PCs set to "Acquire an address automatically" i.e. DHCP clients

2. You have used the same workgroup name everywhere

3. You have usernames on each PC, with the same name and password (assuming you're using usernames)

4. You have both "File and printer sharing" and "Client for Windows networks" enabled (make sure your router includes a firewall as file shares are the main target of hackers) on each PC you want to share files on.

5. You have actually shared something - by default nothing is shared. Try going to the root of the C: drive on one PC and right click. Select "sharing and security" and click "share this folder" - by default the drives will be shared, but with hidden names - c$, d$, etc...

No idea what you mean by MCE - but sounds like the XP machine should be the master browser (the one that provides the directory of machines. Try rebooting that first, then the other(s).

Sorry should have said:

NTL cable modem----(ethernet)----Linksys WRT54GS router----(ethernet)----XP Home PC.

Also same Linksys router))))))))(wireless G))))))))USB adaptor on XP MCE (windows XP media centre edition)

Both PCs can surf the net but I cannot share files. The problem may be in my configuration of the router, or it may be a straight windows problem, can't really think of anything that would tell me where to start :confused:

I've restarted everything (repeatedly :weeping: ) with the sole exception of the router itself so I'll try that tomorrow.

My router is indeed the DHCP server but I'm not sure what is meant by 'setting the PCs to acquire addresses automatically'; in the set-up for the router I've enabled it to act as DHCP server and specified the range of IP addresses it will assign but I've not done anything unusual to the PCs themselves for them to acquire IP addresses (not sure if I need to as I can already surf on both, so both have a network address?). I've used the same workgroup name on both PCs (which themselves have unique names) but I have been using different 'person' usernames - I'm setting folders as shared and thought this would apply to all users? No problem to try with identical usernames though.

I think I have 'file and printer sharing' enabled; having selected 'file and printer sharing' in the setup wizard on both PCs. Am not sure about 'client for windows network enabled', how can I tell?

Network Connections - Local area connection - properties. Check in the middle window that "Client for Microsoft networks" and "File and Printer sharing for Microsof t Networks" both have ticks against them.

DHCP is enabled in the same window. Double-click the "Internet protocol (TCP/IP)" line to see the properties, or select it and click the properties button. You're right, if you can surf from both PCs it's likely your addressing is OK.

In the cable scenario, the router will act as a DHCP client to NTL, and as a server to the rest of your network. So the clients have to be set to acquire addresses from the router, or set up with static addresses that match the addressing scheme in use by the router.

On each PC get a command prompt (by clicking Start-Run and typing "cmd") and run the command "ipconfig" - this will tell you the IP addresses for each machine. They should match except for the last 1 or 2 numbers (depending on addressing scheme in use)

Ok I've taken some screenshots, hopefully this will help you with the setup.

Ok first open Network Connections(Start Menu>ControlPanel)

Right click on your network connection and select properties

Select TCP/IP and click properties - the screen should look like this :

Make sure the IP settings are set to obtaiin IP Address Automatically

Once you've done that you need to run ipconfig to obtain the IP addresses being issued by your router StartMenu>Run>cmd[enter]

you can then use the ping command to check connection

StartMenu>RUN>cmd[enter]

You should see the same result as above.

Also make sure you have selected something to be shared,otherwise they wont show up in network places.(to share a file or folder, right click its icon and select sharing - DONT use the sharing wizard, select to share anyway.

You could also possibly log into your router and check the IP addresses that are being issued, this is usually done by typing the ip address into the address bar at the top of the internet explorer window - you will usually need to enter a user name and password -- unless that been changed it's usually admin and password -- but this should be in the manual for your router.

hope this is of help, just ask if you need more help.

Just been thru this yesterday and today. I sorted my home network by stripping it back to basics, no mac no limiting, no encription, no software firewalls and a careful look at the drive sharing. Once you've got things running, start putting all the security stuff back in one at the time.

Christ, this has put me right off getting a router and setting up a home network. If the wife wants Internet on her PC she can sort it herself ! :(

Windows XP SP2 has a built in firewall. I would suggest turning this off on both machines.

Windows XP SP2 has a built in firewall. I would suggest turning this off on both machines.

ditto if you are using a router.

also check that you have shared the resources on each machine.

(right click the folder you want to share and select sharing tab).

You should be able to see each machine under "my network places". something to keep in mind, if you are using wireless turn on the security on the router. If you dont, your neighbours can use your internet connection and access your pc's just like you.

Had a problem like this a while back too - meant me losing one of my 100% complete work units as well. :grumpy: Luckily for me a reboot sorted it out and I managed to successfully upload a unit to FAH last night.

Christ, this has put me right off getting a router and setting up a home network. If the wife wants Internet on her PC she can sort it herself ! :(

I'm sure it's manageable and will give all the suggestions here a go this evening, starting with rebooting the router, disconnecting the modem and turning off all security until I get the bugger working. Wish I hadn't fried my graphics card though :(

do you have wired connections on each PC.

If you do connect them using an ethernet cross over cable and see if this works.

If it does then you know it's down to your wireless set up, if not then windows has something to do with it.

:woot:

THANKS ALL got connected ...not really sure how, but there you go. I was almost able to transfer two files....but then my media centre PC crashed and now won't start up at all - either my graphics card tell me the power is not connected and it doesn't boot or it gets almost as far as the windows login screen then BSOD then restarts indefinitely

Anyway main thing is the network was up and running and when I get a replacement card I'm sure I won't have any problems

Windows XP SP2 has a built in firewall. I would suggest turning this off on both machines.

Just been thru this yesterday and today. I sorted my home network by stripping it back to basics, no mac no limiting, no encription, no software firewalls and a careful look at the drive sharing. Once you've got things running, start putting all the security stuff back in one at the time.

Yeah good idea everyone turn all your security settings off :mischief:

:orb_flami