2 xp + linux

I'm inept at many things, and adding home networking to the list. I have an xp machine that is connected to a cable modem through a Belkin 4 port router. I've recently added two laptops. One is an xp pro, and it connects to the internet just fine, but I can't seem to share or veiw files with the desktop machine. The second laptop is a Suse Linux setup, and it will download updates, etc. from Novell, but I can't get a browser to connect to the internet. Ive tried the Belkin CD, and I still can't get things to work. How should I proceed?

 

Hi fridgitator,

For Windows file sharing, you would have to allow File & Print Sharing in firewalls of both the computers & share the folders which you want to access.

Regarding Linux, it most probably seems like a firewall issue. Try disabling the firewall in Linux. Linux can read Windows shares without problem but if you want to share Linux data with other win machines, you would have to load & configure Samba on the laptop.

 

Thank you both for your replies. I got the Linux machine to connect. I'm not sure what was lacking, but When I downloaded updates yesterday, I included a couple browser related packages, and one of them seems to have corrected the problem. As for the Windows to Windows situation, I've checked on file & print sharing, and several other settings to no avail. I'm beginning to suspect something in my router settings, but I'll read the Ms articles you linked before I persue that further.

 

I doubt your router is causing the windows share problems. It is more likely to be a personal firewall or XP networking issue.

 

I put the project on hold for awhile due to other priorites. I have another laptop on which I'm installing xp home. I'm going to try it with that one, and hopefully thay will tell me which one is causing the problem.