3 Problems for wireless Ad Hoc networking

I have XP Pro on my Laptop as well as my Desktop.
I have managed to connect them both via an Ad Hoc connection.

Problem 1: After going through the network wizard, the desktop computer doesn't show the laptop in "View Workgroup Computers ". I have a feeling that it's not wizarding properly! What do I do to correct this.

Problem 2: My Desktop doesn't ping the laptop: Says "Request timed out ". What have I done wrong to not have a ping response?

Problem 3: When I did manage to connect both computers earlier, to share certain folders on the other computer, a popup appeared asking for the password to be able to access the other computer. How do I make the password popup disappear and not ask me again.

Any help to these posers will be appreciated.

 

#1 & #2 are most likely the results of the same problem. Disable the firewalls if they are active. They can be activated again later with settings to take care of the problem.

#3 is most likely a result of XP not being able to recognize who the other PC is. It won't allow access without knowing that. Usually a matter of requiring logon with both a username & password and then having all username/password accounts set up as local users on both PCs.

 

How do I correct problem 3 so that the computers never ask for a password to logon to the other computer?
What do I need to do?

 

First off, you MUST be logging on with a username & password. And that username/password MUST be known to the other PC.

You will need to add the user accounts you want to use for both PCs to each of the PCs. Exact match and case sensitive. Good instructions available in Help by searching for add new user.

Then set the PCs to autologon which will automatically put in the username & password you want whenever you start the PC. Completely unsecure but works fine if your situation is that you want anyone who turns a PC on to have access to the other one. Just follow the instructions Here.