Networking Issue

**clefever** · May 2nd, 2009, 11:20 AM

I have four laptops that i am trying to make part of a workgroup so that files can be shared between them. Two run vista 32 bit and the others have XP with service pack 3. I have set them all up as part of my workgroup but the xp computers dont pick up the vista laptops. however the labtops running vista can see all the labtops and access their folders. does anyone know why this could be? do i need an update on the xp labtops to view the vista computers?
thanks

**GroundZero3** · May 2nd, 2009, 11:47 AM

Do you have the built in windows firewall enabled still? Any third party firewalls running such as Zonealarm or Norton?

**clefever** · May 2nd, 2009, 11:57 AM

i disabled the windows firewall and my eset firewall on both labtops. i have peer guardian on one of the labtops, which i also disabled but im pretty sure that doesnt interfer cause i dont have it on the other labtop that doesnt work.

**GroundZero3** · May 2nd, 2009, 12:01 PM

can you ping the ip addresses of the clients you cant do file sharing with? If you cant that is a good indication that some type of firewall is still in place

Can you post the ip address of each machine too

**clefever** · May 2nd, 2009, 03:10 PM

i cant ping either of the two labtops....i even turned off firewall and antivirus software too... no response.

**GroundZero3** · May 2nd, 2009, 03:27 PM

what are all the ip addresses for all 4 machines?

**Nude_Lewd_Man** · May 2nd, 2009, 04:27 PM

Hi,

The laptops should all be in the same "network", which in most cases would be the 192.168.x.y (with a Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0).

If we called the computers XP1, XP2, V1 and V2 - for ease of typing/understanding....

I would like to know whether you can access the share on V1 from V2, and also what happens when you type \\localhost on V1. (You can just click that link, and you should try this from V1 to V2 and also on V2 to the above)

Another thing to consider would be what "network location" the Fista computers think they're on. I believe that the default is "Public" meaning that, if they haven't been told otherwise, they would be blocking pretty much all inbound data.

Let us know how you get on, so we can try to help you further....

**clefever** · May 2nd, 2009, 05:10 PM

V1 and V2 do not recognize each other...they only recognize XP2 for some reason...when i typed \\local host my printer came up which is hooked up to the router so you can print wirelessly...which doesnt work...
how can i change the network location in vista? it is set to public
thanks

**Nude_Lewd_Man** · May 2nd, 2009, 05:15 PM

I'm using a laptop running XP at the moment, but from memory it is something like Start --> Control Panel --> Networking And Sharing Centre.

I've done it before, and it was fairly self-exlanitory. You would either want "Home" or "Office" from what I remember...

I'll try to get you a link...

**Nude_Lewd_Man** · May 2nd, 2009, 05:19 PM

Went to Google for this:
change Vista public - Google Search=

Third result was this:
Network Location Type - Change - Vista Forums

Read it through, posted here.....

**clefever** · May 2nd, 2009, 05:21 PM

thanks. i've run those network setups a bunch of times but still nothing.i have folder and print sharing turned on...firewall disabled..would setting up static ip's change anything you tihnk?

**Nude_Lewd_Man** · May 2nd, 2009, 05:41 PM

No, static IPs just mean more of a headache - even more so when they're on laptops.

Ok, here's what I would do.

Disconnect the internit connection.

Turn all firewalls off - both M$ and any others.

Try the above again.

Turn the firewalls back on.

Reconnect the internit connection.

If you were able to bring up shared folders/data from the other computers, then the firewall/s are blocking the communication.

If you were able to open the \\localhost folder, but nothing was in it, then you aren't sharing what you thought you were.

Going back to the OP, you wanted to be able to share data between the different computers.

The steps were taking now are to enable all the computers to store/hold data, but this could result in multiple copies of the same data. If you only want to have the one set of data, then you should be able to just use one of the XP laptops - you've already said that all the computers are able to access those.....

**clefever** · May 2nd, 2009, 06:22 PM

Cool thanks...that fixed the problem..the computers can now see and be recognized by each other...thank you

**Nude_Lewd_Man** · May 2nd, 2009, 06:30 PM

Glad to have been of assistance.....

Just hope that GZ doesn't think I'm encroaching on his tootsies......

**GroundZero3** · May 2nd, 2009, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by clefever

Cool thanks...that fixed the problem..the computers can now see and be recognized by each other...thank you

So what exactly did you do to get it working?

Nude, I don't care if other members help. I know others know networking (hell more than me) so if someone has some two cents go ahead and put it in! Its a free forum!

**Nude_Lewd_Man** · May 3rd, 2009, 08:41 AM

GZ, it was meant as an amusing aside - hence the smiley at the end......

**GroundZero3** · May 3rd, 2009, 08:54 AM

HANDS OFF MY TOOTIES ROLLS!

**Nude_Lewd_Man** · May 3rd, 2009, 03:31 PM

Your "Tooties" have a Rolls Royce...?!?!?

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