Home network

[yammer5]

Hi

 

Im trying to setup a home network so i can share files between 3 computers, but im having a bit of trouble, ill explain whats happening.

 

we connect to the internet via a netgear router that connects to the phoneline, we have 2 desktop pcs that are hardwired into the router and 1 laptop that connects wirelessly.

 

I went into the network setup wizard and started it, it asked me how i connect to the internet so i told it, it asked me for my pc name and a discription name, i put them both to the same name, so it was "hispc" for both, it then asked for a workgroup name, i called it "home". it then asked if i wanted to share files, i said yes, it then told me that id have to run the setup wizard on the other pcs, then it restarted my pc.

I did the same thing on my girlfriends pc but i called her pc and described her pc as "her pc". i set the workgroup to the same as i did on my pc "home" i then clicked yes to share files and it restarted her pc.

I did the same on the laptop, it asked my how i connect to the net, i told it, it asked for the pc name and description, i called it "laptop". i set the workgroup to "home". i clicked yes to file sharing it then restarted.

 

Heres the problem

 

My girlfriends pc and the laptop can see each other fine and share files fine, i just open up the network connections folder in the start menu, open up the shared files folder, i drag a file in and i can see it on both the pc and the laptop, but my pc just isnt a part of it, it cant see my g/f's pc or the laptop, the other computers cant see it either, no matter how many times i run the wizard on my pc and double check everything it just wont be a part of the network? i just dont know what to do, its a pain cos my pc is the one with all the files on that we want to share.

[Seth]

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Yammer.

 

Networking isn't one of my specialties, but I would confirm that your pc's workgroup name is the same as the others. Another option I can think of, is to temporarily disable your firewall and run the wizard again.

 

It might be a good idea to post the operating systems on these computers.

[allheart55]

Yammer, Is your OS by any chance Windows Vista? Vista net settings require a bit more and it's a little different setting up network/filesharing on a Vista machine. ~ Cindy ~

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello Yammer

 

Let's start maybe by assigning A,B,C to the computers and the OS for each.

 

There is a problem with one of your PCs as you're not allowed to use a SPACE in a NETBIOS share name. Though Windows 2000, XP, Vista can use DNS often you want or need to use NETBIOS names for some applications, so even though it may work I highly suggest not having a space in the name

 

"A computer name can be up to 15 alphanumeric characters with no blank spaces. The name must be unique on the network"

 

Example:

 

A = YAMMHIS

B = YAMMHER

C = YAMMUS

 

All 3 need to be in the same workgroup name. If all 3 are part of HOME that is fine.

 

As Cindy said there could be some other authorizations needed for a Vista computer.

 

Temporarily disable the Windows firewall or if using software like Norton, McAfee, etc that has a firewall you may need to disable while you confirm the connection works. Once you have it all working you then need to turn the firewall back on and possibly train it or set it to allow the sharing of data to the other systems.

 

Let us know where you're at and we'll try to assist you further as needed.