Home Networking "Issues"

Home Networking "Issues "

I've 2 computers networked.

1. 1Ghz PIII Custom Desktop
WinXP Pro
ZoneAlarm Pro
512 Ram
60GB Primary HDD
20GB Secondary HDD
NetGear NIC

2. 1.13Ghz PIII Notebook (Compaq Presario 1722)
WinXP Home
ZoneAlarm Pro
128 Ram
20GB HDD
On Board NIC

3. LinkSys Hub 5-Port (1 uplink)

4. Belkin 5 port Router (1 uplink)

5. Cat 5 throughout (all tested)

6. Toshiba Cable Modem

The issue is this. I am able (most of the time) to get the router running properly and both PC's have Internet connectivity. I am also able to do this through the Hub, with the same results. I've not been able to get the 2 pc's to communicate. I did at one time have them seeing eachother, but they could not access eachother's assets i.e. HDD, CD, (all properly shared by the way). Now I'm not able to get them to see eachother. I've reinstalled MSNetwork protocols (File Sharing and whatever else the options were) manually and using the Belkin SOHO setup program. I've also used the XP Home network wizard, with no results. I've also tried disabling the XP Firewall option and even ZoneAlarm on both machines.

I do realize that with 2 pc's I really don't appear to need the hub and router (both 4 port) but I'm going to be adding on when I get the initial setup resolved. Without going into much of a rant, I've tried just about everything I can think of, but can't seem to get anywhere.

Thanks for any helpful hints you may have.

 

Go thru these in order 'cause if one isn't true, you won't have much luck.

1. Can you ping one PC from the other using the IP address?

2. Are both PCs in the same workgroup (or domain if you use that)?

3. Do they both have IP addresses that fall within the same subnet?

4. Have you tried adding the username and password from one PC to the other (so they both have all the the usernames)?

 

Thanks for your help. I've been looking around and my suspicions were correct, or at least I've found a solution. I did some reading at www.xp-erience.org (http://www.xp-erience.org/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=47) which gave instructions on how to install NetBEUI in Windows XP.

Wherever the problem started, NetBEUI solved it and I'm up and running just as advertised. I HIGHLY recommend this site and articles.

Thanks

Alan

 

I agree - on a small network where you don't have security issues, NetBEUI is great. Does all the housekeeping for you. Also does not open your system to any Internet threats since the net does not speak NetBEUI.