XP Pro and MCE Networking.... not!

OK, I am running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002 on my main computer, and Windows XP Pro on my second home computer. (Both computers are up to date with Windows updates as of 06/07/2006).

I have a Netgear WG111 v2 wireless USB 2.0 Adapter on my second computer, while my main computer has a AMBIT 60740EUW cable modem w/ wireless antenna. (I hope any of that helps!)

I have set both computers up to have the same workgroup, and have my shared files configured (and each respective computer shows iself and its own shared files in the Network Places... but not the other computer or it's shared files). I have disabled all firewalls, even the lovable XP one, yet I cannot get either of these computers to see each other, or the shared files. I have allowed both computers to allow file sharing (unless there is a magic button I have missed). I have stripped out all networking protocols, and placed them back in different configurations (adhering with several of the networking configurations I could find online), and nothing... zilch!

Of course the Network ID in MCE is greyed out as well, but it was set up as a home networking computer before it went away, never to be reached again.

I have been screwing with this for 3 days, and I am about ready to punch it. Thanks Time Warner. Your Home Networking *****! (Seeing as they do not support file sharing problems! ***???)

I even tried one configuration with TCP/IP only, which was one guy's tutorial, but to no avail. I feel I am overlooking something, because is networking really this difficult??? I have searched for the computers on the network, and for the shared files... and nothing! I have run out of ideas!

Someone have any configuration help for me? I need some advice or tips, or a friggin schematic, because all of the online tutorials I have found have not been successful! Thanks!

 

In addition, I have also found that the 2 IP addresses that are being used by my 2 computers are on different subnets, but have same subnet mask... so according to http://www.nicholshayes.co.uk/Node2Node.html, this will only work with a router, which my modem is.... HELP!!!!

 

I have not played with Media Centre myself, but my brother has had some fun and games networking it. So I think you may have to work a little hard than normal to get a Media Centre PC to work smoothly on a network.

It is possible that your system is giving out one set of IP addresses for the wireless network, and a different set for the wired network, so your system might still be fine with the different subnets.

So let's go back to basics.

1. First try pinging from one PC to the other. To do this type PING IPADDRESS at the command prompt (where IPADDRESS is the IP address of the PC you are trying to connect to. For example, PING 192.168.0.1)
2. Then try pinging be name. That is PING COMPUTERNAME. So if your computer is call MyPC, PING MYPC.

If everything is working correctly you should get replies to both ping tests. What do you get?