[Andrew_L]

I have a desktop and a laptop, both with XP Home. I want to be able to
transfer files from one to the other. I have a store-bought crossover cable.

1) I connected the cable between ethernet ports on the two computers.
2) I ran ipconfig on both and noted the ip and subnet addresses. The ip
addresses were AAA.BBB.C.D on one computer and AAA.BBB.C.E on the second
computer (I don't have the actual numbers handy, but the first three sets
were the same, the last number was different for both). The subnet in both
cases was 255.255.255.0.
3) I pinged the desktop from the laptop, and got a response. I then pinged
the laptop from the desktop, and that worked too.
4) I disabled the windows firewall on both computers. Regardless, I have
file and printer sharing enabled on both.
5) Now what do I do? The laptop shared directory doesn't appear in the
desktop Network Places, and neither does the desktop shared dir appear in the
laptop Network Places. I even tried opening Internet Explorer and typing in
the ip address of the other machine, but I get a error (something about
searching not working).

What do I need to do to "see" the other computer in Windows Explorer so that
I can transfer files between them? I've searched the net for the last week,
and haven't found any step-by-step instructions to get this type of
connection working, and it appears that everyone has this kind of problem.
Any help would be appreciated.

[Robert L [MS-MVP]]

since you can ping each other, it must be the master browser issue. assuming you have enabled sharing, you can use net use command to map the driver, for example, net use h: \\aaa.bbb.c.e\sharename. the following pages may help,

computer browser ... kit to check the master browser status. Or stop computer browser on w2k/xp. ... is a master browser; 3) Your computer is running the TCP/IP protocol. ...
www.chicagotech.net/browser.htm


mapping how to
.... like that “net use h: \\ervername\sharename password /user:domainname\username".
How to stop all mapping drives on client. Use net use * /d command. ...
www.howtonetworking.com/Networking/mapping.htm

Don't send e-mail or reply to me except you need consulting services. Posting on MS newsgroup will benefit all readers and you may get more help.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.

"Andrew_L" <AndrewL@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:177256F9-9DC2-4DE9-97DC-958B94F91599@microsoft.com...
I have a desktop and a laptop, both with XP Home. I want to be able to
transfer files from one to the other. I have a store-bought crossover cable.

1) I connected the cable between ethernet ports on the two computers.
2) I ran ipconfig on both and noted the ip and subnet addresses. The ip
addresses were AAA.BBB.C.D on one computer and AAA.BBB.C.E on the second
computer (I don't have the actual numbers handy, but the first three sets
were the same, the last number was different for both). The subnet in both
cases was 255.255.255.0.
3) I pinged the desktop from the laptop, and got a response. I then pinged
the laptop from the desktop, and that worked too.
4) I disabled the windows firewall on both computers. Regardless, I have
file and printer sharing enabled on both.
5) Now what do I do? The laptop shared directory doesn't appear in the
desktop Network Places, and neither does the desktop shared dir appear in the
laptop Network Places. I even tried opening Internet Explorer and typing in
the ip address of the other machine, but I get a error (something about
searching not working).

What do I need to do to "see" the other computer in Windows Explorer so that
I can transfer files between them? I've searched the net for the last week,
and haven't found any step-by-step instructions to get this type of
connection working, and it appears that everyone has this kind of problem.
Any help would be appreciated.

[Chuck]

On Wed, 1 Jun 2005 07:01:05 -0700, "Andrew_L"
<AndrewL@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I have a desktop and a laptop, both with XP Home. I want to be able to
>transfer files from one to the other. I have a store-bought crossover cable.
>
>1) I connected the cable between ethernet ports on the two computers.
>2) I ran ipconfig on both and noted the ip and subnet addresses. The ip
>addresses were AAA.BBB.C.D on one computer and AAA.BBB.C.E on the second
>computer (I don't have the actual numbers handy, but the first three sets
>were the same, the last number was different for both). The subnet in both
>cases was 255.255.255.0.
>3) I pinged the desktop from the laptop, and got a response. I then pinged
>the laptop from the desktop, and that worked too.
>4) I disabled the windows firewall on both computers. Regardless, I have
>file and printer sharing enabled on both.
>5) Now what do I do? The laptop shared directory doesn't appear in the
>desktop Network Places, and neither does the desktop shared dir appear in the
>laptop Network Places. I even tried opening Internet Explorer and typing in
>the ip address of the other machine, but I get a error (something about
>searching not working).
>
>What do I need to do to "see" the other computer in Windows Explorer so that
>I can transfer files between them? I've searched the net for the last week,
>and haven't found any step-by-step instructions to get this type of
>connection working, and it appears that everyone has this kind of problem.
>Any help would be appreciated.

Andrew,

Since you have verified physical connectivity, and you've disabled the
firewalls, check for a browser conflict.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/browstat-utility-from-microsoft.html>

--
Cheers,
Chuck
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem - it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

[zigipha@hotmail.com]

>
> What do I need to do to "see" the other computer in Windows Explorer so that
> I can transfer files between them? I've searched the net for the last week,
> and haven't found any step-by-step instructions to get this type of
> connection working, and it appears that everyone has this kind of problem.
> Any help would be appreciated.
At the risk of stating the obvious..did you browse through the
computers "network places"?

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

In article <177256F9-9DC2-4DE9-97DC-958B94F91599@microsoft.com>,
"Andrew_L" <AndrewL@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>I have a desktop and a laptop, both with XP Home. I want to be able to
>transfer files from one to the other. I have a store-bought crossover cable.
>
>1) I connected the cable between ethernet ports on the two computers.
>2) I ran ipconfig on both and noted the ip and subnet addresses. The ip
>addresses were AAA.BBB.C.D on one computer and AAA.BBB.C.E on the second
>computer (I don't have the actual numbers handy, but the first three sets
>were the same, the last number was different for both). The subnet in both
>cases was 255.255.255.0.
>3) I pinged the desktop from the laptop, and got a response. I then pinged
>the laptop from the desktop, and that worked too.
>4) I disabled the windows firewall on both computers. Regardless, I have
>file and printer sharing enabled on both.
>5) Now what do I do? The laptop shared directory doesn't appear in the
>desktop Network Places, and neither does the desktop shared dir appear in the
>laptop Network Places. I even tried opening Internet Explorer and typing in
>the ip address of the other machine, but I get a error (something about
>searching not working).
>
>What do I need to do to "see" the other computer in Windows Explorer so that
>I can transfer files between them? I've searched the net for the last week,
>and haven't found any step-by-step instructions to get this type of
>connection working, and it appears that everyone has this kind of problem.
>Any help would be appreciated.

To access a computer directly, even if its shared disks and folders
don't appear in My Network Places, type the other computer's name or
IP address in the Start | Run box in one of these formats:

\\computer
\\AAA.BBB.C.D
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com