Hello everyone, I appreciate you entering this thread to possibly shed some light on my network blunder.

Here's the rundown; I recently bought a HP Compaq 6710b laptop, and so far it has run great. Now, I have a PC in my household that I used prior to this computer for music/word-processing/etc. This computer connects to the internet through an Actiontec Router. My laptop connects to the Internet via the wifi signal that the Actiontec Router emits.

Now, what I would like to do is connect the two computers in a sort of basic network so that I may transfer files and data back and forth. I know that I can connect the two computers using an Ethernet cable. However, I would like to be able to access my PC through the wireless connection via the Actiontec router.

So, to say short and sweetly, I want to transfer the files from my PC to my new laptop without the use of a "PC to PC cable method".

Disclaimer: I have read numerous walk-throughs and guides, all of which seem to not work for me. Also, I apologize if this has been posted before or if I have placed this thread in the wrong forum.

System Specs for laptop: Windows XP Professional, WLAN, 1gig ram, 2.0 ghz dual core
System Specs for PC: Windows XP Home, 1 gig ram, 2.2 ghz

hi bryce.
i don't know where y'all are in network setup so have to start at the beginning.
1 step at a time
step 1.
right click the my computer icon on the desktop.
from the menu click Properties
click the Computer Name tab
click the Change button
that opens the Computer Name Changes box
type a name for the computer name (can be anything you like)
click Workgroup so the radio button has a tic
type a name for your workgroup (can be anything you like)
click OK, click Apply, click OK

do the same for both computers.
the computer name must be different for each computer.
the workgroup name must be the same for each computer.

Thanks for your speedy reply Surfer.

Did all that, what next?

next is to make sure file and printer sharing is installed in network properties.

right click My Network Places
click Properties
right click Local Area Connection
click Properties
under This connection uses the following items: see if File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is listed

if not listed click the Install button, click the add button, click once on File and Printer Sharing, Click the OK button and the next OK button. close Network Connections.

i haven't done this in a while and recently lost all my tuts in a bad mistake i made so i'm slowly rebuilding them.

next is to share a folder.
in my computer right click on the folder you want to share
click Sharing and Security.. from the menu
You'll probably get a warning about the dangers of sharing
click the warning away.
check the Share this folder on the network box
then check the Allow users to change my files box so files can be transfered into the folder.
do the same for the folders y'all want to share on both computers.

**i edited this one to read**
"in my computer right click on the folder you want to share"
from "right click on the folder you want to share"

Regarding your second post, I don't get what you mean to do after I click on the properties of the connection. Also, which computer should I be doing this on?

Edit: Nevermind, yes it is selected and installed.

next is to get access to the shared folders

open My Network Places
double click Add Network Place
click the Next button
single click
Choose another network location
Specify the addressof a web site, network location, or FTP site
Click Next button
type \\THE NAME OF THE COMPUTER\NAME OF THE NETWORK SHARE
click the Next button
if everything is setup correctly you'll have access to the network share.

Ok Surfer, I've completed all of the steps you've listed so far. What else?

Ok, I did all of what you suggested however when I go to add the \\computername\computernetwork, it gives me an error saying "The Folder You Entered appears to be invalid"

What should I do?

you're using \\computername\computernetwork?
it'll be the name y'all gave the computer and the name of the share for the folder you shared on the other computer

let me ask to be sure both compters access the internet thru the router?

So wait you said its \\computername\computernetwork, where does the name of the folder come in?

for example i have workgroup named "BRYCE', a computer named "bad", and a computer named "good" with a share on computer "bad" named "john" that i want to access from computer named "good".

the syntax will be \\bryce\bad\john

sorry i left off the Workgroup name above

And yes, both computers access the internet through the router.

Here dude I'll just list the actual names, im getting confues lol.

Computer network: BMNETWORK
PC Name: BrycePC
Laptop Name:BryceLaptop
Folder I want to share: iTunes

I tried: \\BMNETWORK\BrycePC\iTunes

\\BrycePC\BMNETWORK\iTunes
\\BMNETWORK\BrycePC\iTunes

Ok, so I need to do that on both computers correct? Because neither of those inputs are coming up as valid when I try to add a new network place.

I have 100% certain of the network name and I am 100% sure of the computer names. What am I doing wrong?

right click the itunes folder, click properties and see if it's hidden or read only. if it is hidden uncheck the hidden box and click apply, ok

yes, for each folder that y'all want shared on each computer. file and print sharing is setup on both computers?

if the windows firewall is on it'll need to be set to allow each computer.

Ya, its not hidden.

Does it matter the location of the iTunes folder? Its in the Shared Documents folder of my PC. Also the folder's contents are shared as well.

the location shouldn't make a difference.

Nor is firewall on.

I'm wondering what the deal is. Possibly my router?

Edit: I'm not even able to add the \\BMNETWORK\ which seems odd.

open my network places
double click Entire Network
double click BMNETWORK

are both computers listed?

I don't have an Entire Network Icon in My Network places.

Bare in mind this is my PC im talking about which has as Windows Home OS

Edit: Same Case for the laptop as well.

run the network setup wizard

home edition is a little light weight in the network dept.

Ran Network Wizard on both, now the Shared iTunes folder pops up on PC but not for the laptop.

I unfortunately dont have a copy of XP PRO so thats not an option either.

that's progress. run setup wizard on both computers?

Yes, still wont show up on laptop though.

try adding a network place from the laptop to the desktop.

Im only able to add a shortcut or add a folder. Or open various new files in various programs. I'm assuming you mean when I right-click on the desktop and select new.

in my network places. like before \\BMNETWORK\etc etc.

Back up. Sorry. Im lost. So I go into My Network Places and do what

try leaving off BMNETWORK. try like this from the laptop

\\BrycePC\iTunes

you have a pm

my network places, add network place from the laptop
\\BrycePC\iTunes

Unfortunately leaving out the BMNETWORK didn't do anything either.

10-4 on the PM though. Thanks

ok. Bryce is going to call and i'll add what we found. talk to ya at 6 bryce.

Right on. I sent you a text with my number.

***UPDATE***

I ended up finding an alternative solution. However it's very slow and is not as functional as having a permanent network set up. What I did was I went into my PC's LAN Properties and changed the TCP/IP Settings. There I unchecked Obtain IP Address Automatically and I entered these settings

IP Address: 192.168.0.4
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.0.1

Same thing for the laptop except the IP address for it was 192.168.0.3.

From there I opened IE (NOT FIREFOX, TRIED IT, DOESNT WORK) from my laptop and entered the IP Address of the PC (192.168.0.4) and was able to access the PC's shared folders.

However

Every single subfolder in the Shared Folders that I selected did not have the shared properties. Which I thought was weird since usually when you share a folder, all the subfolders are shared as well.

So now I'm stuck with what to do. Either I can Share every single sub folder in, which would take endless hours, or find another solution.

Please please please leave any suggestions you all may have!!!!!

Thanks again to Surfer for all his help.

hey bryce
have you tried to move them rather than copy? like cut and paste

Holy crap Surfer, good call!!!!!!!

Worked perfectly. Thank you sooooooo much!!!!!!

i played around on my network and what it does is map a network drive. it's sort of like a shortcut.