Desktop PC linking to Laptop

[Underdog]

I have a desktop PC running XP and a laptop also running XP. The Desktop is hardwired to a cable modem which also runs a wireless router. The laptop access' the internet via the wireless router.

I am trying to share a file which is on the desktop with the laptop but it's proving to be a nightmare. I have tried using the wireless connection as I understand a home network can do this but got nowhere really. The problem appears to be that all the websites are in geek speak and I only understand hairy ar5ed Discovery owner speak.

Can somebody please explain, in easy to understand terms, how I can share a file from desktop to laptop without burning the damn thing to DVD first?????:confused:

My god...............I hate these things!!!!!!!! Why is this sort of thing never easy?????

[NicS3]

Hi
Fear not, I think I can help.
First I need to know a few things and forgive me if I cause confusion on the outset but I have to establish what you have done or know so far.
1. can you see the one computer with the other even if you can't get to the file you want?
2. do you know where the "shared folder" is?
3. do you know your home networks name i.e WORKGROUP or HOME etc.

I may take some time to reply, you can also email me if you prefer.

Thanks
Nic

[Madoobri]

Can somebody please explain, in easy to understand terms, how I can share a file from desktop to laptop without burning the damn thing to DVD first?????


I used to use `PC Linq` which requires a cable, but these days I use a memory stick.

[Keeper_of_Tess]

On the PC:

click on

My Network Places | View workgroup computers

do you see the laptop?

Repeat this on the laptop: do you see the PC ?


If you do, you simply need to enable filesharing.

If not, then you may need to tweek your IP settings and check that both machines belong to the same workgroup.

If both the PC and the laptop can see the internet through the router then you aren't very far away from getting them to see each other.

[timbott]

Thanks for this thread, my laptop and desktop now talk to each other:)

cheers, Tim

[Underdog]

Hi
Fear not, I think I can help.
First I need to know a few things and forgive me if I cause confusion on the outset but I have to establish what you have done or know so far.
1. can you see the one computer with the other even if you can't get to the file you want?
2. do you know where the "shared folder" is?
3. do you know your home networks name i.e WORKGROUP or HOME etc.

I may take some time to reply, you can also email me if you prefer.

Thanks
Nic


1. No. I cannot see either computer from the other.
2. No, I don't appear to have one.
3. Yes, I have set up a network name.

[Underdog]

On the PC:

click on

My Network Places | View workgroup computers

do you see the laptop?



See the laptop.............er..........NO! I can't even see the My Network Places on the PC but it is visible on the Laptop.:(



If both the PC and the laptop can see the internet through the router then you aren't very far away from getting them to see each other.

Both work perfectly when accessing the internet, the desktop through the hardwired modem and the laptop via the wireless attached to the hardwired modem.

[Underdog]

Still having a mare with this.

Can now see the Laptop from the Desktop but cannot, no matter what I do, see the Laptop from the Desktop.
Both are in the same workgroup, firewalls are off or configured, but it still won't damn well work.........AAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!:b anging:

Why the hell don't they make it easier????????

[redhand]

Still having a mare with this.

Can now see the Laptop from the Desktop but cannot, no matter what I do, see the Laptop from the Desktop.
Both are in the same workgroup, firewalls are off or configured, but it still won't damn well work.........AAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!:b anging:

Why the hell don't they make it easier????????

Have you run the network setup wizard?

[Underdog]

Update:

Can now see one from the other.
Can also now access laptop whilst using desktop but still cannot get the laptop to gain access to the desktop............which is exactly why I set out on this epic mission. Keeps throwing up an access not permitted / you don't have permission / contact admin warning type message.

I have to leave it for now before my swede explodes and I get really pi55ed with it. Walk away, deep breaths..........."Nurse....the screens please"!!!!!

This is more frustrating than a very frustrating thing.

[redhand]

Drag and drop the hard drive icon into the shared files folder, That usually does it. or click the hard drive right click and select "map network drive" select H: or something similar and see if that helps it's how i got my laptop to talk to my desktop.

[timbott]

I sat down and had a few beers, clicking away furiously on both the PC and lappy until it worked, don't ask me how I did it:D

cheers, Tim

[Underdog]

Maybe that's where I'm going wrong...............I need to drink more beer...........wooooohooo.........barman, another pint of drag and drop please!!!:D:D:D





Cheers anyway chaps, I'll try the hard drive icon tomorrow.

Why can you never find a geek when you need one but when your mates chatting up a belting bit of totty there's always hundreds of the tw@ts around??????????

[olo]

simple.... what its trying to do is verify your account.

now, assuming you're on win xp pro in both cases (didn't try on home sorry).

what you need to do is create a username and password that is identical on both machines ;)

then try use those accounts, should work.

what i usually do is... i create the laptop username and password on the desktop, and the vice versa, so when the pc tries to verify, it will find the account.

if that fails, well, i always loved linux, its free to download, looks nice and is more stable, i can give u a link :D :D :D :D

[Underdog]

simple.... what its trying to do is verify your account.

now, assuming you're on win xp pro in both cases (didn't try on home sorry).

what you need to do is create a username and password that is identical on both machines ;)

then try use those accounts, should work.


Done all that and it still doesn't work.

The situation I now have is that the Desktop can see the Laptop and can share the Laptops files. However, although the Laptop can see the Desktop it still cannot share any files.

On the verge of sacking this one......life is just too short.:(
This simply doesn't work, end of story!!!

[biggmark]

do what i do have 2 yahoo names and log into one on laptop and other on pc .send files that way:D

[Underdog]

do what i do have 2 yahoo names and log into one on laptop and other on pc .send files that way:D


Pardon????:confused:

[biggmark]

Pardon????:confused:


easy,biggmark on one account (pc) and weebrenda(swmbo) on other (laptop) both on messenger see easy :D

[Underdog]

easy,biggmark on one account (pc) and weebrenda(swmbo) on other (laptop) both on messenger see easy :D


Well that's that little mystery cleared up then.:Idunno:

[domus]

simple.... what its trying to do is verify your account.

now, assuming you're on win xp pro in both cases (didn't try on home sorry).

what you need to do is create a username and password that is identical on both machines ;)

then try use those accounts, should work.

what i usually do is... i create the laptop username and password on the desktop, and the vice versa, so when the pc tries to verify, it will find the account.

if that fails, well, i always loved linux, its free to download, looks nice and is more stable, i can give u a link :D :D :D :D


LOL i totaly agree i got rid of my lap and pc and got a mac, which by the way runs on unix so simple to install just 123 clicks and you are done. If you want to keep it simple thats what you have to do. Moreover - macs don't understand the word virus. Virus? Whats a virus? Well and for that case i' No longer am into the it business. I'm a landrover mechanic or well studying to become one. Want to machine any shaft? let me know.

[Keeper_of_Tess]

Underdog: did you get this sorted out?

Have you made sure that BOTH hard-drives are set up to allow file sharing?

[Underdog]

Underdog: did you get this sorted out?

Have you made sure that BOTH hard-drives are set up to allow file sharing?

In answer to your first question, no I didn't sort this out.
Second question, yes, both drives are set for file sharing.

I have tried everything and it still doesn't work. The desktop can see the laptop and can file share with it but try as I might I cannot get the laptop to see the desktop. According to all the posts I've read, advice from colleagues etc. it should work but refuses to do so. I know not why.:confused:

I have concluded that this is just another promise from Microsoft that simply doesn't work and have written it off but if you can advise further, please go ahead before I drench the desktop in petrol, drop a lit match on it and walk away!!!!!!!!!!!

Frustrating............................you'd better believe it!!!!!:Bloodymad

[Underdog]

UPDATE

After a quick re-check I find that this statement from post 15 is actually correct:
"The situation I now have is that the Desktop can see the Laptop and can share the Laptops files. However, although the Laptop can see the Desktop it still cannot share any files."


Over to you Nick??????

[redhand]

UPDATE

After a quick re-check I find that this statement from post 15 is actually correct:
"The situation I now have is that the Desktop can see the Laptop and can share the Laptops files. However, although the Laptop can see the Desktop it still cannot share any files."


Over to you Nick??????

Try Laplink it's a peice of software designed to allow you to transfer files from laptop to PC an visa-versa.

[bananahead]

The desktop can see the laptop and can file share with it but try as I might I cannot get the laptop to see the desktop.


If the desktop can see the laptop files why not try just drag and drop the file you want to put on the laptop with the desktop. If it says youre not allowed, locate that folder on the laptop (using the laptop), right click, click properties, in the sharing part tick the box next to "allow network users to change my files". Then go back to the desktop and try again.

[Underdog]

This statement is now more topical Bananahead:

although the Laptop can see the Desktop it still cannot share any files

There is an error displayed when I try to force the desktop to respond. I'll try again soon and post the warning message but to be perfectly honest I have all but written this off now. It simply doesn't work.:rolleyes:

[Underdog]

Still not resolved this.
Now getting a "You do not have permissions to access the network" warning message, which is kind of strange as I am logged in as admin.:(


Can anybody help with this..................anybody??????:confused:

[Underdog]

UPDATE:

With over 1,000 views and still nothing positive I have finally resolved this issue myself.

I bought one of these: USB to USB Link Cable (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7768) and it was free delivery. After a short while of messing with the driver software I can finally report, my laptop can upload files from my desktop. RESULT.:D



My advice to anybody who attempts to set up a wireless home network is..............don't bother, Microsoft added this option purely to totally frustrate and annoy the hell out of you!!!:fire::fire:

Buy the cable, save the hassle.:rolleyes:

[Madoobri]

I bought one of these: USB to USB Link Cable (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7768) and it was free delivery. After a short while of messing with the driver software I can finally report, my laptop can upload files from my desktop. RESULT.:D

Glad you got it sorted :) ... Erm ... *cough cough* (http://forum.landrovernet.com/showpost.php?p=942982&postcount=3) ;)

[Underdog]

It was your post that made me realise it wasn't possible with anything other than a cable, oh great knowing one!:p

Just wish I'd realised earlier and saved all the hassle!!!!!:rolleyes:

[Madoobri]

:D

[Keeper_of_Tess]

We just added a new PC to our home network: terrible problems with file sharing until we turned all the firewalls off..

[redhand]

We just added a new PC to our home network: terrible problems with file sharing until we turned all the firewalls off..

I do hope you don't connect to the broadband with then switched off

[Keeper_of_Tess]

I do hope you don't connect to the broadband with then switched off

It's not quite as bad as it sounds.

I was going to describe our security arrangements in detail - but that's probably asking for trouble.:shhhh:

Actually, properly configured, the firewall and NAT system in most home ADSL routers is a pretty good guard against attacks from the external network.