I Finally Got Simple File Sharing to Work

I just spent the most frustrating 15+ hours trying to get a small Simple File Sharing network to function using a XPPro and XPHome computer. Maybe my experience can help others. In my searching I found many people with the same problem but no solutions.

To make a long story short, the last thing I did was go to Wireless Network Connections Properties and Uninstall:
Client for Microsoft Networks,
Qos Packet Scheduler,
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Windows.

I tried to Uninstall the fourth item, Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) but it wouldn't let me.

Then I rebooted, Installed the three items just Uninstalled and rebooted again. Finally I could share files between two computers. In those 15 hours I must have read over 100 web pages of instructions for setting up "Simple" File Sharing. I can't remember how many times I checked computer names, Named workgroups, Installed TCP/IP, checked subnets, Reinstalled File and Printer Sharing, disabled firewalls, "fixed" Winsock, uninstalled firewalls, enabled and re-enabled sharing, etc.

One thing I discovered, if the computers can't ping each other, it ain't gonna work.

Instead of going through all the:

My Computer/Tools/Map Network Drive/Browse/Entire Network/Microsoft Windows Network/MSHOME/Click the other computer and wait forever for nothing to happen, just open a DOS window.

Then, ipconfig to get your computer's IP address and the Default Gateway (router) IP Address. Then ping yourself, then the router, then the other computer. Use the IP Address you got from ipconfig on the other computer. If computers can't ping each other, don't bother trying to map a drive.

To get ping to work I uninstalled and reinstalled as described above. Ping worked. Then I could map drives and share. I reinstalled ZoneAlarm and under firewall zones I added a subnet using the gateway IP Address (192.168.0.1), submask 225.225.225.0. DON'T FORGET to click "APPLY" after adding the subnet. ZoneAlarm shows it in the list but it isn't enabled unless you click apply.

I hope this can save someone from a similar experience.

Pete

 

Way to go Pete! - for sure if un-pingable - then unreachable - if snmp is enabled.
I have been through similar experiences.
I now don't use any firewalls other than Windows - I did not like the prompts all the time.
I know many will likely disagree with not using a 3rd party Firewall - I am behind a router using MS Firewall. wonder if this will get me nibbled on. Found that term in MG Forums welcome new person recently.
hmmm.
Thanks for the post!

 

Same here. I think this is quite safe.

 

I am going through the same problem described in this earlier thread. However I do not see how to get to wireless properties since the only wireless icon prompt in XP is for yet another wizard automated process.

And in system Manager, it doesn't show at all.

Please advise.

 

I had to go to the computer with the wireless network. Then:

Control Panel,

Network Connections,

Wireless Network (I don't have that computer turned on right now so I don't know what the full title is but all your network connections should be listed there, figure out which is the one you are trying to use),

Properties,
and you'll see the three items I deleted (or tried to delete as described).

Or, maybe this link to MicroSnot can help:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/870702 (The "Basic Troubleshooting" section.)

Hope this helps.

Pete

 

I don't have any wireless stuff and it is not showing in local connection.

Are we talking about the same thing?

 

I don't know if we are talking about the same thing. You asked about wireless properties so I tried to answer.