Only one way file sharing

[TPFKAS]

This might be a tough one, so bare with me...

I've got a desktop, a laptop and a SMC BArracuda wireless router with built-in DSL modem.

The laptop is from work and is part of a domain set up at work. The desktop is at home and is part of a workgroup. I cannot make the laptop part of the same workgroup because it will destry the login possibility for the work domain.

I configured the router through the desktop and that all went OK. I then ran the Wireless Network Setup Wizard and added the laptop to the wirelses network. That seemed to be OK; I can access the Internet from both machines now.

I shared some folders on the desktop and added them to the Network Places. I then added them to the network places on the laptop. (I had to type in the name of the desktop folder manually.) That all worked OK, and I can now browse the desktop folders on the laptop.

Now I tried it the other way round: sharing a folder on the laptop and trying to access it from the desktop. But that did not work. I can make the folder a shared folder, set permissions to "full" for "everyone" and add it to My Network Places on the laptop. But if I try to add it to My Network Places on the desktop it tells me "The folder you entered does not appear to be valid".

I appreciate your help for solving this problem. TIA

[i an not a nerd]

Try making another account on the laptop and set it up to a workgroup.

BTW what OS are you using?


MIkeB

[denise5grr]

[edit]sorry for my immature comments
if theyr on the same netwark, why are they not automately configured for you ?
they would

[pave_spectre]

Try making another account on the laptop and set it up to a workgroup.
Don't think this will work as I am fairly certain that workgroup or domain is computer wide and can't be individualised for seperate users.

[TPFKAS]

When I make the laptop part of the workgroup, the domain membership will be deleted, so that is not what I want.
FYI: the laptop runs XP Pro, the desktop XP HE

[chrisling]

OK, try run them over again in Network Setup Wizard. Choose on 'this computer belongs to ....don't have on-line access' something like that. Choose to share everything with printer and fax and files. Then finish the wiard, and do the same on the other conmputer. It should work. :)

[TPFKAS]

I don't quite understand what you are trying to say.... I can't find any such setting in the wireless network wizard. But anyway, with your "belongs to..." remark I assume that you are suggesting that I make both systems part of the same workgroup. That is actually the problem: if I do that I destroy the domain membership.

I just have found the solution, although I don't understand why this works:
On the advanced tab of the Wireless connection (on the laptop) I have enabled "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection". Now it works!!

I can't find such a setting on the Desktop (XP Home Edition), but apparently ot is not necessary to set it or maybe it is enabled by default.
But I am still puzzled why this solves the problem: what has sharing internet connection to do with sharing folders? I already managed to have Internet access on both systems and I could see shared folders from the desktop on the laptop, just not the other way around...

[jcrick]

I'm not 100% sure of why that fixed your problem, but it might have to do with the fact that NetBIOS uses TCP/IP for its transport in Windows (NetBIOS is not a routable protocol). I'm still learning about this wireless stuff myself. If anyone else has a better explaination why this worked, please chime in.

I'm having similar problems as you except both my laptop and desktop are running XP home (SP2 + latest fixes). There are a few tips I have found here today in the various appends that I will out when I get home tonight.. Seems like a good forum with lots of good info.

Cheers,
John