File and print sharing via access point?

I have what I think is a typical home network. Cable modem, access point,
and wireless router combination (Motorola SBG900). All computers connect
perfectly to the internet and can be individually turned off or on. But I
cannot seem to figure out how to get file and print sharing to work. (I
have one computer A that "sees" and prints to computer B; but not the other
way around? Scanning for shared files/printers yields various error
messages.)
I feel sure I just am doing something wrong but cannot find a good
description of how to set things up. (Network wizard keeps wanting to set
up a host?) Can anyone help, or point me to the right instructions?
Thanks, George McKinney

 

You haven't told us what operating systems you are running. That does
make a difference, but here are some checkpoints:

1. All computers should be using Client for Microsoft Networks.
1a. Usually you only want TCP/IP as a network protocol.
2. All computers should be in the same Workgroup (for ease of use).
3. Make identical user accounts/passwords on all computers.
4. Make sure that the lan IP range is entered as Trusted in whatever
firewall you are using.
5. Share out desired resources and set permissions (Everyone) as
appropriate.

In addition to the above, here is a network troubleshooter by MVP Hans
Georg-Michna. After you've done the simple checkpoints above, if you
still have trouble run through his troubleshooter. If you need more
help, post back to this thread with the results from the
troubleshooter.

Malke

 

Thanks for the reply. All computers are XP SP2 (some Home others Pro).
You write: "In addition to the above, here is a network troubleshooter by
MVP Hans
Georg-Michna." but I cannot find link for that.

Problem may be your item "3. Make identical user accounts/passwords on all
computers." I Never heard of that; real question: where is this all spelled
out?
Thanks for your reply,
George

 

Sharing Hi

May be this can Help: http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

Sorry. I apparently neglected to give you the link. Here it is:

http://www.michna.com/kb/wxnet.htm

The problem of networking between XP Home and Pro is that Home has
simple sharing enabled; Pro can have it disabled. Make sure all
machines match. If there are not a lot of machines in a Workgroup
setting, it is easiest to just create identical user accounts and
passwords on all machines and then you don't have to worry about guest
being enabled. This is particularly important in an mixed os network
(like mine, which has lots of machines running different operating
systems) because while XP uses "forceguest", other os's do not (and
having guest enabled is a security hole). For instance, if I have
created the account "malke" with "password" on all the machines on my
home lan, then when I want to get a file from my son's computer, even
though I'm not logged onto his computer it sees that the request from
"malke" is legitimate because it authenticates "malke" as someone who
has permission to access its resources.

Here are some other links to help you:

http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm (Home)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm
(Pro)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/support/troubleshoot_index.htm
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/howto/

Malke