Free File Sharing Ethernet

We’ve set up our 2 Windows XP computers (both on dial-up) on a Ethernet LAN connected by a by cable through a 5-port switch. Simple in theory but we’re having quite a number of problems.

Basically what we want is free file sharing between the computers. From Computer A being able to go onto the desktop of Computer B and grab a file, transfer it back to computer A.

So far all we have been able to do is create a sharing folder, that when using A you put a file in the folder, you can then go to B and access the folder. We’d like to be able to do the whole processe from one station.

There has been limited sucess. Computer A can access some of Computer B’s files, but not vise versa. Most folders set the Sharing in the Properties menu are still not accessable to A. When I try to access a folder it tells me permission is denied.

I’ve been playing with settings and menu screens, but it is really just guess work. I’m fully prepared to wipe everything out and start anew. Is there any way to get this LAN to work how I want it to?

Do you have similar accounts on both PCs? That is, if you log in to PC1 with the HIS account, do you also have an account on PC2 called HIS (even if you’re logged in as “HERS”)?

First let me be sure of a couple of technicalities.

I’m assuming these are on a LAN, and not two dial up phone connections to the internet, yes? I’m not sure what you meant by “(both on dial-up)”.

I’m assuming you mean “be able to grab any file on Computer B”, yes? Or do you just want access to files on the desktop? FYI, the Desktop is just a special folder on your computer.

To share everything on B, make your local C drive sharable. Open My Computer, right click “Local Disk (C:)”, and make it sharable.

Now, A can pull anything from B, Desktop or elsewhere. If you want a file off B’s desktop, Open the folder “\<ComputerBs Name>\Documents and Settings&lt;UserName>\Desktop”. Plug in the names of Computer B and UserName.

No, one computer has 3 accounts, the other only has 1. The computer with 1 can access computer with 3.

Yes, sorry the dial up comment was a late edition to the post. All I meant was that the computers are on dial-up modems not high speed. What I’ve read about Lans seems to make the distincton important. The ethernet isn’t being used to share internet access.

Yes, you are correct. I want to be able to get at any file on either computer.

I’ve tried this to no avail. When specifically set to Sharing, some files allow it, others error and give the message “Permission to access denied, contact your network administrator”. Only one comptuter (lets call it CPUA) is able to access the files on the other computer. CPUB is limited to CPUA’s shared folder for file sharing.

I suspect it may be Norton or a Firewall preventing access from an outside soruce. But then again, thats just an uneducated guess.

I suspect it may be Norton or a Firewall preventing access from an outside soruce. But then again, thats just an uneducated guess.

It’s a good guess and very easy to test. Set drive C as shared on both computers. Ignore the fact that this didn’t seem to work before and do it anyway. Make sure neither computer is connected to the Internet. Disable or turn off all firewalls and then see if you still have the problem.