Print and file sharing issues

[jarred1234]

I have 3 computers that I want to turn on file and print sharing. 2 are desktops running windows xp home and one laptop running windows xp pro. I am using one of the desktops for the file and print server. I have enabled file and print sharing on all the computers and have created a folder for sharing and also have the printer set up for sharing. I have not run the network wizard. The workgroup name is DIEKEN and is spelled the same on all the computers. I cannot connect through the windows search app to or even see the other computers on the network. This is true for all the computers. I am using a linksys router and all the hardware works because I do have internet for all of the computers.

[bAdWaYz]

Run the network setup Wiz on each computer . It will make sure that the built in windows firewall is setup for a network but if you have any other software firewalls running like Zone Alarm, Norton Internet Security blah blah then you will want to tune those to work with the network.

[jarred1234]

I dont have any other firewalls installed and after running the network set up wizard which i beleive automaticaly sets up the windows firefwall to allow networking. I still have the same problem.

[Lord_Anthrax]

Have you ran it on all 3 machines? if you haven't then you need to do so.

Sometimes you need to configure the IP's for the machines yourself (it's not hard, just annoying) so check to make sure they're set-up.

[blademaster591]

Also check the domain name.

[bAdWaYz]

There won't be a domain name if he's running a workgroup setup instead of a domain. Most home users don't run a domain thus they use the workgroup name instead. Example of a default workgroup name in XP is MSHOME

[blademaster591]

Sorry that's what I meant, I thought they were the same thing.

[jarred1234]

i now have file and print sharing working on the to desktops but the laptop will only allow me to see the files and have print sharing when the firewall isnt activatedv

[Lord_Anthrax]

You should be able to edit your firewall settings so it allows the two machines to share resources. Windows Firewall has this option turned off by default.

[blademaster591]

If you are still having trouble with this, you can download a program called Network Magic, which will configure file and printer sharing for you. By the way, can you ping the computers with each other?