XP pro networking problem

The problem is now I can't see the other computers in the workgroup.
I did have all 3 pc's on a hub using ICS, all pc's could see each other fine.
Now, I got rid of the hub and got a Linksys router and all using DHCP, set up by the Linksys CD.
All 3 are connected to the internet but none can see each other.
We would like to be able to share files and printers
All have the same workgroup name.

Thanks, HooT

 

And the operating system(s) is(are) [cause it makes a huge difference]? I know you had XP-Pro in the title but are all your PCs running it?

File/printer sharing turned on?

"Can't see ..." as in network neighborhood? How about if you try to map a network share. For instance, if you have c:\myfolder on computerA shared as myfolder and from Windows Explorer click on map network drive and put \\computerA\myfolder in the box?

If you have file/printer sharing turned on and shares set up and still no joy, can you ping the other PCs? By name? By IP address?

 

yes, all 3 pc's XP pro.
yes, File/printer sharing turned on.
selected folders shared.
Can not see any in network places or windows explorer and can not find the network printer.

But, if I turn off the XP firewall(s) all is fine.

am I totally unsafe with firewalls turned off?
can I assign passwords for shared folders

 

Yes you can password protect the shares.

If you have the linksys firewall configured, you really don't need the ones on the XP PCs turned on unless you want to further control your internal LAN.

Some of the better firewalls will allow you to allow all traffic from a specific PC and to control all other traffic by port and even by type of packet.

The built-in XP firewall will not as far as I can tell. It is similar to other applets that M$ bundles with their OS in that it is very, very basic. Better than nothing for sure but not a particularly robust app.

 

I didn't know how to configure the linksys firewall, so i left everything on default settings.
Would you tell me how to configure it?

to password the shares, do I need to log into each pc as administer?

If the Linksys firewall is configured, do I need to worry about passwording the shares?
There's really not any priceless info on these pc's, no bank accounts or credit card info to be had.

 

I'm not familiar with that particular firewall (may not be a UK product)

However, in general the default settings for firewalls are, if anything too restrictive (as this is safer - enterprise class firewalls install completely closed and its up to the administrator to open ports for web, mail etc).

On a smaller firewall (which I'm guessing this is) I'd assume that as long as the default settings are allowing you to do what you want then you should be fine - the inbuilt XP firewall can be Satan's own work at times

If of course my lack of knowledge of this particular firewall means I'm talking garbage then I'll get my coat......

 

AndyO - A popular router/switch in the US for small LANs (like a home system) is made by LinkSys. Built-in goodies include DHCP server, NAT, a hardware (or firmware maybe) firewall, and so on.

It isn't sold as a stand-alone product.