Friday, August 20, 2010

Share files on 2 laptops via wifi network?

So I have 2 laptops at home and they both use my home wifi network. For weeks now i've been trying to figure out how to share files on the network between the two PCs and for whatever reason, after trying to follow numerous tutorials and advice online, it simply still does not work.





I have vista, i enabled file sharing on both computers, i made the network private on both computers, i disabled both firewalls - the computers show each other in the network map, and in fact share the media library in WMP, but as for sharing files - it doesn't work. I tried selecting some random files and trying to set it to share from one computer to the other but in the drop down list of who it should be shared with, it simply doesn't list the other computer (it doesnt show when i browse the network for it either).





Somebody told me i had to set up something called an ad-hoc connection between the two pc's to make it work - i tried that also, but aside from making the internet not work on both computers when connected to that network, i was still left with the same outcome - computers show in each others network maps but they won't let me share files.





One laptop is brand new and in the other i just reinstalled the os so it's fresh and i doubt it's some hardware issue, im quite sure its something im doing or not doing...





if anyone could please help me out - and please be as specific as possible - i would really really appreciate it.Share files on 2 laptops via wifi network?
1) Enable file and printer sharing on each system:


Right click on network neighborhood then click on properties. Make sure that ';file sharing'; is on (greent dot) and that ';password protected sharing'; is on (green dot).





2) Share a folder on one or more systems:


Select a folder to share. Right click on it. Click on ';properties';. Click on the ';sharing'; tab. Click the ';share'; button. Click on the ';share'; button again. Click on ';continue'; if prompted. Click on ';done';. The folder in question should now have a new look, that indicates it is a shared folder.





3) Configure Workgroup for all systems that need access to share(s):


Right click on ';My Computer';. Click on ';properties';. Scroll to near the bottom of the page and view the ';Workgroup'; settings. Use the same workgroup name for each system on your LAN. To change workgroup name click on the ';change settings'; button here. Make sure you are using WorkGroup name and NOT domain name.





4) Check for results:


Check from any other system to see if your shared folder is now visible on the network.





5) If you have followed this exactly and it is still not sharing:


You may need to enable ';WSH'; on your wireless router. Each router is different in the steps to enable ';WSH'; so I would need the manufacturer and model of the router as a start. The information should be in the router's manual.





After all of this if it is still not sharing, you may need a consultant to either walk you through on the phone or come to your location and do this for you.





If you happen to live in Southern California or would like phone support, visit my Web Site at:





http://www.evanscomputers.com





If you live elsewhere and would prefer on-site assistance, visit:


http://local.yahoo.com and search for wireless network to find a wireless professional in your local area.


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