1. Verify local connectivity.
a. Using "Start -> Run":
o Type "\\<Your Wired Computer Name>" without quotes in Open dialog box of Start->Run and hit Enter key. For example, "\\Tecumseh". Does window open showing shared resources of the wired computer?
o If no luck, try again with "\\<Your Wired Computer IP Address>"; e.g. "\\192.168.10.101".
b. Using "ping":
o Ping uses the ICMP protocol for both the request and the response, so either disable the Windows Firewall (both wired and wireless computers) or modify settings to allow access to the request and response. Maybe the ICMP "Settings" button on Advanced tab of Windows Firewall?
o Ping IP address of wireless computer (yourself); e.g. "ping 192.168.10.102"
o Ping IP address of router IP address; e.g. "ping 192.168.10.1"
o Ping IP address of wired computer;e.g. "ping 192.168.10.101"
o Ping <ComputerName> of wired computer; e.g. "ping Tecumseh"
c. Check TCP/IP configuration for wired, wireless, and router machines:
o Using TCP/IP protocol; probably should be TCP/IP over NetBIOS to faciliate computer browsing.
o Must all be on same network; apparently "192.168.10.xxx".
o All using Subnet Mask of "255.255.255.0".
o Wired and wireless using Gateway address "192.168.10.1" which should be the LAN IP address of your router.
So... Can you successfully communicate from the wireless computer to the wired computer?
2. Generally home network users complain about two things:
a. Unable to share files and/or printers.
b. Cannot see all of my workgroup computers.
3. Unable to share files and/or printers. Is your wired Windows XP Pro machine setup for "Simple" or "Advanced" file sharing?
Is the guest account active for network connections?
In User Accounts (available from Control Panel-User Accounts) the Guest account is off by default. However this setting only applies to the ability to log on the local computer using the Guest account. Simple file sharing relies on guest access to shared folders and printers. To verify that the Guest account is active for network access, do the following:
1. Log on to Windows XP with an administrator account.
2. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then press ENTER.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type net user guest, and then press ENTER.
4. If the account is active, a line appears in the output of the command that states Account active Yes.
5. If the account is not active, type net user guest /active:yes and then press ENTER.
6. Type exit and press ENTER to close the Command Prompt window.
4. Cannot see all of my workgroup computers.
a. All in the same workgroup
b. "File and printer sharing" enabled (otherwise they won't show)
c. Have a common network protocol (e.g. TCP/IP over NetBIOS)
d. At least one (wired) has "Computer Browser" service enabled and started
e. Computer browser needs time to discover and build list of workgroup computers.
5. Reference(s). If you're impatient, it's OK to start with the "Troubleshooting" documents first:
Troubleshooting File and Printer Sharing in Microsoft Windows XP File and Printer Sharing with Microsoft Windows Troubleshooting Computer Browsing on SOHO Networks with Microsoft Windows Computer Browsing for SOHO Networks with Microsoft Windows Why Can't I See My Computer on the Network?
