I used the link option and it was there when I posted this message but I see it's not, now.

www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/homenet.mspx

Sorry about that.

June

See the link for troubleshooting May have have to use the Guest account and you will see that noted in the link.

Here is a link that might be useful: homenetwork

I went to the "homenetwork" link and tried doing the "ping" test. My Pc can successfully ping the laptop for connectivity but not name recognition. My laptop can't ping the PC (request timed out). Device drivers and such are scary to me (novice user).

Couple of things I'm wondering about.

1) I have Norton Firewall and Windows Firewall on both computers - should they both be on or not?
2) The network setup link that I used said to run the NW SEtup Wizard on each computer - I started with the PC and then did the laptop. Now I see that in the "Help and Support Center" under "Fixing Networking problems" it says run the Network Setup Wizard on the host computer and follow the instructions. Then....to run the network setup wizard on client computers - insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM drive, in the MS Windows CD, click Install Support Tools, click Install Network Setup Wizard. Question? I didn't insert any disk (the first instructions didn't tell me that) Why would I "Install Network Setup Wizard from the CD" when it's already on the laptop??
3) the log file for Network Setup Wizard said -
-attempting to set computer name
Old computer name is the same as new computer name - not setting
Setting server description (comment): Shadow PC
Reboot is required for changes to take effect

I changed the computer name and restarted the computer but didn't notice any changes?
4) Can I run the Setup Wizard again, will that screw things up even more?

Help please..............I'm so confused.

Oh, one more thing I did turn on the Guest account but for heavens sake WHY? doesn't that just use up more of the systems resources?

Sure hope someone make sense of all of this.

Thanks in advance.. June

You have a lot of questions I will answer what I can.
1. Turn the windows fire wall off. Only use 1 fire wall. As long as you are not on the internet you may want to disable the Norton fire wall during network set up.

2. That disk your talking about, when using the network wizard on the host computer that being the (pc) you need to create a disk, floppy, or cd, or even flash drive, then carry that disk to the laptop and insert it.

3. In xp the administrator account may restrict file sharing that is the only reason I can come up why that is recommend, The Guest account will not use any more Recourses.

First of all this can be a difficult task, second I have never done it, so my knowledge is limited, keep plugging along really cannot hurt anything run the wizard, understand about making that disk ect, I will cont to search for easier answers and others may reply.

Here is additional information, take what you need, notice they do not like Norton firewall, In this case Norton products can be a real pain

Here is a link that might be useful: More net work information

I dunno, fwiw

Everytime I've used the network setup wizzard it didnt work. Leaves something simple not set.
Networking - Really pretty simple stuff.

Occasionally some say a firewall will block it, but most user friendly firewalls should pop a allow this or not message.

here's what i do;

Right click myComputer, select Properties.
click the Computer Name tab, click the Change button.

Each computer needs its own unique and seperate Computer name.
Both computers should have the same WorkGroup name. Use something other than MSHome & no default names , as that can be a security snafu. My personal favorite group names are AnyName and NoName. Even makes me wonder sometimes ;)

Open up your connection Properties, You'll want at least these installed with a check mark next to them...
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks
Internet Protocol (Tcp/Ip)
if you see Microsoft TCP/IP version 6, might as well put a check mark in its box too.

Highlight the Internet Protocol (Tcp/Ip) and press the Properties button. You probably want both the Obtain address and DHCP set to Automatic.
--- Press the advanced button, click the DNS tab.
Untick the "Append parent"

Go to your desktop make a temperary folder, name it something like LapShare & other computer DeskShare. Open them and enable sharing. Might want to make a short note and put a text file in each of them so you can look at something reconisable when you access it the first time.

Thats about it unless you have some Services turned off/disabled that you might need. But think the network wizard should have enabled what you need.

Firewalls, most of them need to be told to allow ping which depending on the firewall could be program name or port or protocol.

Thanks Zep and Mikie for all your suggestions. I'm trying to muddle through them. So far all I've got is a really bad headache. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.

? Mikie, how do I tell my firewall to allow ping? Windows firewall is on, on my laptop. Norton's personal firewall is on my PC (windows firewall turned off).

Sorry to be such a pain. Thanks again. June

Windows Firewall,
Hmm Allow Echo. Mine would be Programs/Accessories/System Tools, Firewall.

Then the Advanced tab, ICMP advanced button.
Check the box there for allow Echo.

Yahoo Success!!
I believe the problem was with my pc's Norton's firewall. I clicked on the configure firewall, then Networking, then Wizard....added under "select one or more locations where these home network settings should be used" Home (I guess I could add default, office and away as well....dunno)

Once that was done I achieved (through ping tests) connectivity and name recognition between Both computers. Yippee!! Checked and was able to access a pic and file from each computer.

Thank you so much for your help. You guys are the best.

One more question...........The files open really really slow..........any suggestions to fix that. I'd start a new post but all the info is here.

Really Really slow for a small file.txt ? What kind of files are your networking really really slowly?

They do have to travel across your wifi link. How good is that wifi signal.

Perhaps your virus scanner is scanning the incoming, and its slowing you down.

Hi Mikie

Just opening a jpg image takes about 5 minutes or more. I'm not sure how good the wifi signal is or how to find out. If I click on my connection on the laptop it says speed 54.0 Mbps Signal Strength Excellent. Norton probably is scanning everything...I'll try to check that out. Norton's good but a nuisance.

Thanks for sticking with me.

June