unusual networking problem (xp to xp) need help

[thepowerofanime]

Howzitgoin everyone?

Ive got a desktop and laptop both connected into a router/modem (netgear). Thing is, the desktop can see all the files and folders shared by the laptop. However, the laptop cannot see any of the shared files or folders from the pc. I have turned off zone alarm, antivirus, and even windows xp firewall on both computers. but still doesnt seem to work. the ip addresses r currently 'obtained automatically' for both pcs/laptop.

both of them are running on xp (good old ethernet method, NOT usb).

so yeah, a recap, laptop can share anything shared eg folders, printers, scanners, you name it, but the desktop is the greedy one that does not like the idea of sharing.

help....

cheers

[ecross]

Welcome to Virtual Dr!

The problem is likey a misconfigured firewall. Sometimes disabling doesn't always work. If any of the computers have the Windows Firewall enabled, make sure it is properly configured for file and printer sharing. With Windows Firewall enabled, go to the Exception tab, and click to check the File and Printer Sharing checkbox. If you've installed a third party firewall program (Norton, McAfee, PC-cillin, eTrust, ZoneAlarm, etc), make sure that it's configured to allow access on the local area network.

You absolutely cannot solve things by "disabling" Zone Alarm. Make sure ZA is properly configured. Put the ip address into the Trusted Zone that is assigned to the computers on the local area network after you enable it. Or enable it, then un install it while troubleshooting.

[thepowerofanime]

oh ok... thanx. i'll give that a try. Thanx mate.

[ecross]

You're welcome! Let us know how it goes.

[thepowerofanime]

hi mate. um... I did what you asked... but... doesn't seem to work still.. So far, still the same result where the laptop exposes it all, but the desktop still wont share.

cheers...

[ecross]

A common problem is displaying other workgroup computers. Try testing the network and see if you can access the other computer and shared resources this way. Click Start, Run, and in the Open box try one of the following commands and press ENTER.

\\computer_name (eg; \\thepowerofanime)

\\IP-address (eg; \\192.168.0.1)

If that doesn't help, then please start with ipconfig information for each computer. Start - Run - "cmd". Type ipconfig /all into the command window, then copy and paste into your next post.