Laptop won't talk to system

[eriebch]

My daughter is trying to get her laptop to "talk and see" her sytem. Both are running Win XP Pro with all updates and patches. I am not sure how to proceed.

[Spyders]

How is she trying to connect these devices? There are many differnet ways to do this so you need to share how she is trying to do this(ie router? hub? switch? crossover cable? wireless?)

[Archangel122184]

Also, what is it that she wants to do? Access files, printers?

[eriebch]

Second question first.
Yes she wants to be able to share / copy files as well as transfering them and get to use the printer
Her laptop is a Sony Vaio, has wireless capability, USB and NIC port. Her sytem connected to a wireless router from the tel co. She has been attempting to connect using a 5 wire cable connected to the NIC ports.
"She is not sure what she is doing" I will be going there this weekend and will try to help with you suggestions (of course).
Any advice will be appreciated.
I just came across the last post and am heading to that site now.

[eriebch]

Whent to that site;

A clear explanation of the problem you are having
What doesn't work
What does works
What you've tried As far as I know not much has been tried. Except connecting the Cat 5 cable between the two units.
A description of your network
Whether its dialup, cable, dsl,... They are on DSL (Sympatico)
Whether you have a router, and if you do then what model it is Wireless router from Sympatico. Model ???
Do you have multiple PCs networked Only the tower connected directly to the router / wireless
Is it wireless or not

Are you using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) No ( not sure about that question)
The OS(s) you are using
Windows 98 (SE)
Windows XP (SP1, SP2) Win XP Pro + all updates and patches
linux (redhat, debian,...)


What do you have for an IP address? Will check these out come Saturday.
Run "cmd /k ipconfig" (either in a DOS command window or using Run... from the Start menu
A bad IP address is 0.0.0.0 or 169.254.?.?
If you have a router, a good IP is usually 192.168.0.? or 192.168.1.?
What is your default gateway?
Run "cmd /k ipconfig"
Can you ping your default gateway?
Run "cmd /k ping IP_ADDRESS_OF_DEFAULT_GATEWAY"

[Archangel122184]

Windows XP File Sharing (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm)
Windows XP Printer Sharing (http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1596)

If you have any questions on either of those please feel free to post back.

[eriebch]

Thank you for the links.

[kissme1]

some other topics in here that will help

http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124460

http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124050

[eriebch]

Wow! Geat links, just what I need.
Will print these out and keep them as reference.
Thank you once again