trying to network 2 computers

chris_smith

chris_smith

chris_smith

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30 May 2007
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21
one is using vista, one is using xp.
I set up the networking on the xp system, save the settings on usb stick.
Plug it into vista computer, start it up, it starts to run then comes up sayin cannot complete the setup. Also on the vista pc, it only recognises the router and not the other pc. Zonealarm on the xp system is set to allow connections from my ip address. Im a bit lost now can anyone help?
 
Disable ZA for now.
Create two users with the same username and password.
Create shared folders on each computer, with full privilages to that user only
Use a router with DHCP server, and the internal 4 port switch (or router into 8+ switch, computers into 8 port switch)

If you can't see each other it's usually firewall (ZA/Windows) sharing or user rights.
Make sure each computer network name is the same.
 
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lol can you expand on that abit....bit of a networking noob here. i only want to share one folder (shared folder on the xp system) the problem isnt at that end its the vista end. it just doent allow the setup to run. also...when i try to view computers on my network it only shows the router and my own pc, it doesnt show the one in the next room.

im lost and have no clue what im doing. lol
 
My guess is firewall rules then. If your LAN is safe (two PC's into a router, but router disconnected from line) disable Windows firewall and Zonealarm. Once that's done you know no firewalls getting in the way. Create users on each computer

ie

PC Named "Harry"
Create user- Bob
password- Cookie
Share a folder, delete "everyone" add "Bob" full rights


PC2 "Tom"
Create user- Bob
password- Cookie
Share a folder, delete "everyone" add "Bob" full rights

Click on "My Network Places" then search for computers, entering Harry when you're on "Tom" and vice versa. Create a shortcut to the desktop. Enter in username and password.

Once that's done enable firewall, if you can't access each other you know firewalls are the problem, so add rules to allow it.
 
Jay123 said:
First off .. Make sure its a Crossover cable :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Wrong. He's got a router. So you just use normal patch cable, both computers into the router.

Only need crossover if connected directly to each other.
 
right. firewalls were disabled n e way.
however the router is a modem/router. connects directly to the internet.

it seems odd because i did have the desired connection only last week. but i replaced the motherboard on my pc so had to re-install vista. now it wont find the other pc (before install was working fine no probs at all)

im soooooo lost
 
squiffy said:
Wrong. He's got a router. So you just use normal patch cable, both computers into the router.

Only need crossover if connected directly to each other.
Click to expand...

Whops .. Sorry didnt see the router bit :o

But why does he just plug the patch cable in and bobs your uncle it works ?

Or am i missing something again?
 
Right, let's go back to basics.

1. Can both PCs access the internet? If yes, go to 2. If no, we'll look at that later.

2. You need to check that both PCs are in the same workgroup. Squiffy alluded to this earlier but said 'same network name' which isn't quite right. On the XP PC got to Control Panel/System/Computer Name and check what the Workgroup is. Now do the equivalent on the Vista PC (sorry, don't know the details for Vista). Change it on the Vista PC is it's different from the XP PC. I suspect this is (part of) the problem.

3. As Squiffy said earlier, make sure you have an ID and password that's the same on both PCs and that you use it to log into the Vista PC.

4. Does it work now?
 
nope its not havin it.

iv done as you said to the letter and nothing. its something with the vista pc its just not recognising anyone else on the network :( :mad: :confused:

from the xp pc i can access the vista one. cant do vise versa
 
actually. its just found it on the vista pc :S on its own totaly at random. comes up saying it cant connect would i like windows to check my network. then says

''Cannot communicate with CHRIS-PC1(192.168.0.2)
network diagnostics pinged the remote host but did not recieve a response''

does that help at all with a diagnosis?
 
Presumably this means that both PCs can access the internet? I keep asking this as it's proof that there's nothing physically wrong with your network.

I don't know why an XP wouldn't respond to ping unless it's something in the firewall but you've already said they're disabled.

Next thing to check is that File & Printer sharing is allowed on the XP PC. Go to Control Panel/Network Connections, right-click on the Local Area Connection and select Properties. Make sure there's a tick in the box for File and Printer Sharing.
 
yes its enabled. the thing is. this has worked previously. last week it was working!!!

all iv done is change motherboard, re-install windows cuz it didnt approve of said motherboard change, and now it wont work :confused:
 
I think we've established that it's probably a configuration problem on the Vista PC. But let's do is to some connectivity tests anyway. Open a Command window on each PC and type "ipconfig /all". Note the IP address of each PC and make sure they have the router address as the gateway. Next type "ping 'other_pc_name'" and make sure both come back with the IP address that you got from the ipconfig. Let us know how you get on.
 
right. Finally got it sorted.

im such a noob.!

i did as said, ipconfig /all on both pc's. i made an assumption that because i was plugged into port 2 and xp one was in port one, the xp would have the 192.168.1.1 and id get the 192.168.1.2. WRONG! otherway round :S
changed zonealarm settings and job done.

i still cant understand why when i switched zonealarm off it didnt work? but i dont care cuz its working :D

cheers for all your input, much appreciated
 
Well done. DHCP assigns IP addresses (roughly) in the order that PCs are switched on. The physically assignment is completely irrelevent but I suppose thinking it matters isn't an unreasonable assumption for a newbie
 
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