I hate networks :(

iviv · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:07

Right, replaced my mum's old work XP computer with a nice shiny windows 7 PC, copied over all the old programs she needs, backed up and imported databases, and its all working fine. Except for the network.

Now, I can see her pc, and vice versa on the network, but my dad's laptop can't see any of ours. His laptop runs vista, and needs to be able to easily copy stuff over the network between the two PCs.

Any idea how to make windows play ball? I've tried going to \\Sarah-PC\ from his computer, but it just brings up that 'windows cannot access \\Sarah-PC\ '. I've tried moving him into the same workgroup as our PCs are, restarted but it still doesn't work.

Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

gigeorge · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:11

How is the network set on yours / mothers machine - home (safe) or insecure?

can you do \\IPADDRESS of machine your wanting to access instead?

Deception · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:12

Make sure network discovery is turned on, on his laptop. You can do this via the Network Sharing Center. Also, can he ping both machines via their name and IP?

iviv · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:22

D: Both smart and obvious things to try! I think the bank holiday killed my brain! Off to try those things now!

Edit: Yup! Been able to connect through \\IP
Set up a desktop shortcut to the folder through that, though ideally I'd still like a way to be able to tie it to the computer rather than the IP since its not a static IP address.

bignev72 · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:25

It could well be permission based as well.

You might need to setup a Homegroup to share files.

PistolPete · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:35

Have you checked name resolution is working?

Try pinging sarah-pc and see if it's returning the correct current IP.

iviv · 13 Jun 2012 at 09:42

Hey, sorry for the slow reply. Had it working by making a shortcut to the IP on the laptop desktop, but the PC has a different IP this morning so it broke.

On the vista laptop, it only shows DAD-PC on the network screen, which is the laptop. Sarah-PC still shows itself and my PC, which is correct. I can ping SARAH-PC's IP fine, but if I run
ping sarah-PC
It tells me it could not find the host sarah-pc.

Edit: Started thinking clearly this morning. Disabled the firewall and its now working. derp.

Deception · 13 Jun 2012 at 10:05

If you're using IP shortcuts, then might want to make the IP static (enter it manually). Atleast that way, it wont ever change and break the shortcut

GeX · 13 Jun 2012 at 10:43

Deception said:
If you're using IP shortcuts, then might want to make the IP static (enter it manually). Atleast that way, it wont ever change and break the shortcut

Or make reservations based on the MAC on the DHPC server