Home Networking Problems
 

I'm having a problem with my home network setup. Right now I have two PCs connected to it that I want to transfer files between. As far as I know, both are set up the same way using the home network wizard. One PC can "see" the other one just fine. The other one can't. Here's the error message I'm getting:

I think my software firewall is causing this, but I have no idea how to configure it to where it won't interfere. I'm using Symantec Corporate Firewall (pretty much the same as Norton Firewall).

Loose the firewall, you do not need it if running a good router that has NAT on it such as a Netgear.

I use to have problems running the old Windows firewall with my router if I wanted the PCs to see each other to share files.

With the new firewall in SP2 though, it works great.
However I do not run that, only for testing.

My router is my firewall.
Both of your PCs have the same workgroup name right?
Try turning off your software firewall and see if it works afterwards.

Do you also have your folders shared in Explorer?
By default, only the "Shared Documents" in My Computer is enabled.
You must turn on file sharing for any other folder.
I find it easiest to just share the whole C drive, then turn it off on my main PC after the old PC gets the files.

The old PC is setup to share everyone drive on it full time.

The firewall was causing the problem, and I'm pretty sure I fixed it. I found out how to configure it to allow sharing between only the IP addresses of the computers in my LAN. Works fine now.

Oh, and about turning off the software firewall... no way. Yeah, you can configure the router firewall to be tight as a drum but it's still beatable. I want a backup firewall just in case. I can't even tell mine's there so it's fine with me.

I didnt notice of you have XP or not, but an easy way to share folder and files is just go into windows explorer and left click then click sharing.....i dunno if you figured that out already.....sharing a printer requires you to share it from the computer its hooked too, I did that the same way as a folder in Windows Explorer

Here is a very long post on NAT over at DSL Reports, a very good PC forum.
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/rema...5278~mode=flat

I use the Comcast forum there, and here is a detailed list of all their forums.
http://www.dslreports.com/forums/all

Greetings,
There are two specific types of NAT, Static and Dynamic. You need to know which one your using to properly identify any exploits available.

I had this happen to me too. It happens when you do not have a specific microsoft "service" installed. I will try to walk you through it now to the best of my ability.

I am assuming everything is set up right, since you say you can see both computers. The firewall probably is not the culprit if you have not done the following:

You need to go on both computers and do this:
Let me know if this worked, or if you need additional help. Good Luck!

Kyle