WiFi troubles

I recently succeeded in setting up a WiFi connection, between one computer running XP, and a laptop running ME, allowing it to share the Internet connection. However, I am unable to do the same using a laptop running XP. Both computers are properly detecting the Network, and the XP computer. Can anyone help?

 

What is it *exactly* that you can not do?
share files from the laptop?
share files from the other computers?

Are they in the same workgroup?
Is DHCP on or off?
Is the firewall on or off?
does it get an IP?
Can you ping it?
Can the laptop get on the internet?

 

Its most likely that your windows firewall is blocking your WLAN's ability to share resources with the XP rig!
'ME' doesn't have an inbuilt firewall, thats why its successful.

Disable all firewalls on the LAN (on both machines).
Once you have established your LAN with both rigs able to share resources, then re-enable your firewalls (this is important for network security) setting the correct permissions in your 'trusted zone' or 'Exceptions.

Also, some antivirus programs also have an inbuilt firewall (ie AVG pro), so make sure that your particular AV software is not causing the access denial.

As dedub mentions, if you can successfully ping the XP machine, then you have established a connection path!

Regards

 

Since answering the rest will answer the first:

The laptop can detect the files from the desktop, but can't open them, which is fine. And so in the same vein it can't share files.

The same work group is listed in both machines, but they are only displaying themselves.
DHCP seems to be on.
Firewall is on.
Laptop has an IP.
No Ping.
And the Laptop cannot get on the Internet, the modem is broken, which is what the WiFi is supposed to get around.

 

This is what I see happening.

You cannot ping because the firewall is on. Shut it off on all adapters until you get everything working!

You can see the shares on the desktop but cant access them because you still need to set permissions. First make sure simple file sharing is OFF!! Then give everyone permissions to read, write, ect.. After you turn simple file sharing off you will see additional options on the share to include a permissions button.

Also, you say the laptop has an IP. Is it a 169.254.X.X or one that matches your subnet or the other two computers on the network?

 

192.168.0.1 for the desktop with the outside connection.
192.168.0.253 for the laptop.

I had sharing functional earlier in the day, but after shutting down, and restarting the laptop, I've lost it. I still cannot connect to the net though.

Ping gives me error code 65

 

Error 65...... this is a cut and paste from support.microsoft.com

This behavior may occur when you use an Internet security (personal firewall) program to protect your computer. The personal firewall program blocks unwanted network access to your computer and may also prevent programs on your computer from accessing the network.

 

Weird since neither computer has any firewall running. Unless ZA turned itself on somehow. I'll see if that's it.

 

Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings,http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is allowed to be shared.

Basic XP - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/filesharing.mspx

Advanced XP - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357