vista network

Need help with a home network ... the problem i have 2 computers both running vista, the main computer is a desk top with the printer hooked to it and a laptop both are able to use the internet and see the network map but the lap top cannot access the main computer so i still have to use the desk top pc for all printing but i need to be able to use the lap top also to share files with the desk top ( kinda defeats the purpose of the network ) when i try to access the desktop with the laptop i get a error msg "network error check the spelling of the computer name" but its not a spelling problem and when you click diagnose it comes back theres no problem with this computers network connection and i have also disabled the fire wall and tried with no firewall still no luck :crybaby: any help would be appreciated

Have a look at this : http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb727037.aspx

Check out the windows firewall options on both laptop and desktop. If the firewall is on just turn it off and try to access the system...

Hope it works! :thumbup1:

Are you able to ping the desktop from your laptop machine?

Thanks everyone for the help still not able to use the laptop for file and printer sharing i still get the msg. network error check the spelling of the computer name. i have disabled both computers firewalls that didnt do the trick i have unabled AVG and the firewalls at the sametime didnt work . fradual i dont know how to ping the computers with windows vista i tried to google but didnt get much help there with the ping. once again i really do thank everyone for the help

Hi,

You have to go to Start-->Run-->cmd. Then type ipconfig on the black window. Note the address displayed next to IP address section.
On Vista, Start--cmd (in the search prompt)-->ping IP address that you noted.

Also open the services.msc on Vista(Start->services.msc(in the search prompt)) and stop the "Base Filtering engine Service" just incase you get Request Time Out while trying to ping.

Great work fradual. :thumbup1: Your reply seems to be very informative and helpful too.

fradual,thanks for taking the time to help me with this i did what you said and this was the results :
with the lap top i get the f0llowing
reply from 192.168.2.2=bytes=32time <6ms TTL=128
reply from 192.168.2.2=bytes=32time <2ms TTL=128
reply from 192.168.2.2=bytes=32time <2ms TTL=128
reply from 192.168.2.2=bytes=32time <1ms TTL=128
also when i use the desk top to ping the laptop i get close to the same results

Alright, good so we do have network connectivity between the 2 machines. Now lets try the following.
On Vista, Start-->(In the search prompt) type \\192.168.2.2 where 192.168.2.2 will be the IP address of the Desktop...

when I do that I get the following message windows can not access \\ 192.168.2.2 check spelling of the name othwerwise there may be a problem with your network

From the desktop are you able to do a \\IP-Address-of-the-laptop?

On both the machines, check the following:
Start-->services.msc(in the search prompt), Check if Server Service and Workstation Service is started on both the machines.

If it is started then, open the command prompt(start-->cmd(in the search prompt)) on the laptop. and then type
1) telnet IP-address-of-the-desktop 445, hit enter and see if you get a blank screen, or whether it gives an error.
2) telnet IP-address-of-the-desktop 139, hit enter and see if you get a blank screen, or whether it gives an error.

Note:
You will have to enable the telnet client on Vista.Follow the steps
1. Click Start then select Control Panel.
2. Select Programs and Features.
3. Select Turn Windows features on or off.
4. Select the Telnet Client option.
5. Click OK.
6. A dialog box will appear to confirm installation. The telnet command should now be available

fradual...i did what you daid and this was the results

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


C:\Users\kh>telnet IP 192.168.2.2 445

telnet [-a][-e escape char][-f log file][-l user][-t term][host [port]]
-a Attempt automatic logon. Same as -l option except uses
the currently logged on user's name.
-e Escape character to enter telnet client prompt.
-f File name for client side logging
-l Specifies the user name to log in with on the remote system.
Requires that the remote system support the TELNET ENVIRON option.
-t Specifies terminal type.
Supported term types are vt100, vt52, ansi and vtnt only.
host Specifies the hostname or IP address of the remote computer
to connect to.
port Specifies a port number or servic


C:\Users\kh>telnet IP 192.168.2.2 139

telnet [-a][-e escape char][-f log file][-l user][-t term][host [port]]
-a Attempt automatic logon. Same as -l option except uses
the currently logged on user's name.
-e Escape character to enter telnet client prompt.
-f File name for client side logging
-l Specifies the user name to log in with on the remote system.
Requires that the remote system support the TELNET ENVIRON option.
-t Specifies terminal type.
Supported term types are vt100, vt52, ansi and vtnt only.
host Specifies the hostname or IP address of the remote computer
to connect to.
port Specifies a port number or service name.

and it was the same on both the desktop and the laptop

Hi,

Sorry, the command will be telnet 192.168.2.2 445 and telnet 192.168.2.2 139 without the word "IP".

How about the services, both of them were Started?

Rgds
Fradual

fradual,
Again i really want to thank you for your help. the services on both desktop and laptop were started. now after going back and doing this the right way i get a blank black screen on both the laptop and desktop

Hi,

You are most welcome :biggrin:

That indicates that the necessary ports are open.
Next, what happens when we try doing a \\192.168.2.2 on the desktop itself..(cosidering the IP address of the desktop is still 192.168.2.2). Does it show all the shared folders?

On the laptop, look for its IP address(Start-->cmd-->ipconfig) and then try \\Address on the laptop.

The above wil help us to find out whether the issue is with the laptop or desktop.

Rgds
Fradual