Wireless Laptop Connection

[Mazeus Xenon]

Okay, I have been through the past posts and found a number of things assisting with this but none of them seemed to give me the answer I needed! (if the answer was out there, I missed it...)

So, the problem is simple: I cannot see shared files and folder between my laptop and my desktop computer.

What I have done:
Setup the wireless connection on my desktop and my laptop without a problem. Both machines are telling me they are connected and that everything is just fine but I cannot share files. I have tried both with and without a firewall and it still did not work. I plug in my netowrk cable for direct connection, and my laptop and desktop see each other perfectly and love to communicate. I disconnect the physical cable, going back to the wireless, and I lose all sharing! The conection is still there and they certainly seem happy to talk to one another but they don't share anything!

I was reccomended by a friend to try NetBIOS in addition to TCP/IP but that didn't work and made me have to re-build my wireless connection.

I am using a "ad-hoc" connection as I have a simple USB wireless connection thingy and do not use a gateway or router or anything like that. When I bring the laptop to work, it connects to their wireless network with the work-specific connections without missing a beat and I can see the netowork there just fine. My home, on the other hand, I can't see a thing. Everything connects just fine, just no sharing!

Ugh... I hope this makes sense (as I am sure you will ask for any more specifics!). Thanks in advance for helping

[Smoothie]

What operating systems are you trying to connect with at home?

[Mazeus Xenon]

Okay, that helps (duh)

Both machines are Windows XP Pro

[Smoothie]

So, you are unable to view shared folder or you are unable share folders at all?

[Smoothie]

Check to see that you have installed the "File and Printer Sharing" service in your "Network Properties".
Chreck that all the user accounts are set up for each user on both machines and that the proper access permissions have been granted.
Don't log on to both machines with the same user account at the same time.

[Mazeus Xenon]

I am almost positive I have the sharing setup (especially since it works with the phsyical connection) and I do not have it setup as a domain, just a local workgroup, so I am not able to log in with the same account! However, as I am at work now, i will have to check everything when I get home...

Thanks so far for the help - I've got nowhere to go but up with this problem! :)

[Mazeus Xenon]

Oh, also forgot - I am unable to view my files at all over the wireless but can access everything over the physical connection, including my shared printer!

[Mazeus Xenon]

Checked everything - File and Print Sharing is setup on both machines.

Also, my network is only a local workgroup, not a domain, so I only have local user IDs. And again, when I use the physical connection - the network cable itself - everything shares just fine. It only doesn't work when I am using the wireless connection.

Please help... :sad:

[Smoothie]

What access point are you using? Does it have a firewall?

[Mazeus Xenon]

Okay, I feel like an idiot... I do have a firewall that I discovered was preventing my connection... duh... set up the wireness connection to be a trusted domain a instant access! Who knew... :)

Thanks again for helping me recognize my own stupidity (as it where) - I will certainly check in again for additional help in the future!

Mazeus