Setting Up File Sharing Between Computers

[pmaddock]

Greetings forum members,

I'm trying to set up file sharing between my 3 home computers. All 3 are currently connected to the internet using NIC cards, cable modem, and a Linksys router. All 3 currently access the internet just fine. My main 2 in this room are both running WinXP, while my secondary (kiddie computer) computer downstairs is running Win98SE. I ran the Network setup wizard this morning on both of my WinXP computers. Both have their own specific computer name, and a common workgroup name. Both have XP's firewall disabled (though in the setup, I received a warning message that a firewall would be set up, and I might not recognize the other computer that I'm trying to connect to). I thought that this might be the problem, so I disabled WinXP's firewall on both computers and re-booted, hoping that they would then recognize each other. I go into "My Network Places", and the only thing that I see on either computer is the "My web sites on MSN" icon. Are there some other things that I need to do to get this file sharing to work? Do I need to configure Zone Alarm on each computer? Do I need to authorize some type of file sharing within the XP settings on each computer? The network setup wizard seemed to work well on each computer; I even created a setup disk, so that I can get my Win98SE computer working next. Do any of the network experts out there have any more suggestions for me. I have a feeling that there is something simple that I am missing. As usual, this web site is the best.


PM

[Confused]

I have a WIN98 FE and a XP networked with a router and had to get rid of Zone Alarm. ZA ran fine with each PC being the only thing connected but whenever I would connect both and try to network the WIN98 PC couldn't access the internet and I couldn't share files or printer between the two. My WIN98 PC finally got so hosed that I wound up having to reformat and reload. Free versiion of ZA doesn't play nice with networked PC's behind a router. I have no experience with the Pro version of ZA. Your router offers firewall protection anyway.

Also the disk that XP created to load on the 98 PC didn't work and I manually set everything up. You need to go into My Computer and right click each drive you want to share, select properties, and enable sharing. You will also have to go to settings and select the printer and enable sharing.
Chas

[pmaddock]

Can I focus on just file sharing on my 2 XP computers, while still keeping ZA PRO active? I don't necessarily have to file share with the Win98Se computer. Maybe I should try disabling ZA competely from starting up, and see if this does it. I have tried messing around with some of the firewall settings of ZA, and can actually see my one XP computer, but it won't let me access it. I still can't get on my other computer and see this one that I am typing on now. Is there something in my administrative settings on each XP computer that I need to change or authorize. I am the only one using these XP computers.


PM

[Davidoo1]

PM,

I have the same setup you do with 2 XP computers. Maybe I did it the hard way, but I had to set the properties for each folder on each machine that I wanted to share before I could see files on the other computers.

For example, if you want to be able to see "My Documents" from one computer to the other, open Explorer, then right click on the "My Documents" folder, then left click "Properties", click the "Sharing" tab. Where it says "Network Sharing and Security" click the box "Share this folder on the network." Then assign a share name as specified, such as "My Documents Computer 1." Click Ok and you should be able to go to the other XP computer and see that folder.

When I went to my other XP machine, I found the folder from the computer which I just enabled the shared folder in Explorer under My Network Places\Entire Network\Microsoft Windows Network\Mshome\Name of Other Computer\My Documents Computer 1.

There may be a way to enable sharing of all files at once rather than by folder, but I like this way where I can just specify the folders I want shared.

[pmaddock]

David,

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll fool around with it a little bit, but am not going to spend too much more time trying to make this work. I have many other ways to get to the files on my old computer; I just thought that it would be easiest to file share. It drives me crazy that I can build a computer, but can't figure out how to file share.

PM

[pmaddock]

David,

I tried your suggestion about enabling file sharing on a specific folder (like my documents) and it worked. I was able to see the contents on this folder from my main computer (which is what I wanted to do). For some reason, it doesn't work in reverse, which I can live with. I mainly need to occasionally grab a file from my old computer, not vice-versa. That is a great idea that you had, only enabling the folders that I want to deal with. This will probably be safer in the long run. Now I just have to try it with ZA enabled. Thanks again for the ideas.

PM

[Confused]

As I stated earlier, I could not get file sharing to work until I got rid of ZA.
Chas

[lil Jimmie]

Check ZA security setting under advanced > local zone contents to make sure that your network/ip addresses has permission if not add it.

I have two XP systems and one ME system all running ZA pro and file/print sharing works great.

[pmaddock]

Confused, LJ, David,

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I don't want to get rid of ZA (even though I have a router - I like ZA and feel more secure with it running in the background at all times), and some weird things have been happening this morning with both of my computers (random reboots, loss of software) since I have been fooling around with this file sharing thing. The bottom line is that it is not important enough to persue further. If I want any more files off of my old system, I'll use Files Anywhere to upload and download, or my cdrw's to transfer data. I already have just about every thing that I need on my new computer build anyhow; I was just trying something new. Once again, thanks to everyone for all of your suggestions.


PM

[ssjsegatrunks]

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