Home office network????

[MJC]

I need your help guys.

I got my new T42 this week, everything is almost perfect, but here is where I need your help:

I have a desktop PC connected directly (via Ethernet) to a 2Wire DSL modem, I connect my T42 wirelessly to the 2Wire. No problems there, what I need to do is access some share-documents on the desktop and the printer. I tried setting up a Wireless Network, I ran the Network Wizard, both workgroups named the same, I followed the help file instructions... all to no avail.

I know this must be pretty simple for some folks but I just can't figure out what I am not doing right.

Half day wasted, please help.

MJC

[JHEM]

Make sure you've enabled sharing of the pertinent Folders/HDs on the desktop.

Regards,

James

[MJC]

I have, and I have followed step-by-step instruction of the Windows Help files. I just can't figure out why I cannot access the shared files that are in the destop or even the printer.

Anyone seen any tutorials anywhere?

[jdhurst]

Does your modem have a built-in switch? Some newer DSL modems do. Otherwise you need a router and I didn't see one in your post.

Do both computers get IP addresses in the same subnet? That is, do you get 192.168.1.100 on one computer and 192.168.1.101 on the other.

Your T42 will be XP Pro. Is it SP2? If so, the firewall is turned on by default and must be configured. If you installed another firewall (like Norton), it must be configured.

Is your Desktop an NT-based machine? That is, Windows NT4, Windows 2000, or Windows XP Pro. If it is DOS (Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME) then you need to think about passwords and user ids for the DOS machine to be the same as your T42 to aid in authentication.

Is the Desktop XP Home? I hope not. In XP, you want to disable simple file sharing and you can't do that with Home. I can't (sorry, I won't) help with XP Home - upgrade to Pro.

Assuming two XP Pro machines with firewalls off or (better) properly configured, and with proper userid's and passwords for login, and with simple file sharing turned off, try the following:

At one machine in Windows Explorer: Tools -> Map Network Drive
Pick a drive (it will start at Z:), and in the box below type:

\\OtherPCName\C$

Then click on Different User Name, and in the boxes, type OtherPCUserid and OtherPCPassword.

Should work. I do it just like I suggested and it works fine.

Good luck. ... JD Hurst

[jdhurst]

I should add that the workgroup needs to be the same on both computers. WORKGROUP is one common workgroup; MSHOME is another one. Whatever - they need to be the same. ... JD Hurst

[MJC]

OK, Fixed the access problem to the desktop, jow I can access the share documents and printer.

Now, when I went to My Network Places I had under Local Network the host and remote computers, no problems there. Below them I have a The Internet section and the MSN butterfly with a link to My Web Sites on MSN - the problem is I do not use MSN, and when I double click it it takes me to www.msnusers.com where I can access someone's pictures and documents folders. It is not MSN actual web page but it has the look of an FTP connection though it does not say FTP anywhere.

Anybody have any idea what is going on????

I thought for a moment I could be picking up one of my neighbors w/l connection, but I don't think that is the case.

I ran Spybot and NAV and I am clean, so do you think IBM sold me used computer (or HD)????

MJC