Win2k Peer to Peer issue

[Moo-Shoe]

Hello all,

I'm running a desktop and a laptop at home. Both systems are on Win2k and hooked up to a basic hub to share access to a cable modem. For some strange reason, the two computers cannot see each other on the network. Yes, both computers are in the same workgroup. Yes, all the same protocols are installed. Yes, both computers have access to the internet.

I'm using @Home by the way, if that has any affect on why the two computers can't see each other. Any helpful hints would be appreciated.

Moo

[hapoo]

what protocals DO you have installed?

[Moo-Shoe]

Since I'm at work and don't have the memory I used to, I'll try to remember what is installed...

- Windows Networking
- File and Printer Sharing
- TCP/IP

And yes, I do have folders shared. Whenever I try to connect to either computer, I get a "network address invalid" error.

I guess I should have mentioned this in the first post, but the two computers were talking fine with each other when they were running Win98SE.

Moo

[ChrisMG187]

are the subnet masks both the same? Should be 255.255.255.0

[Moo-Shoe]

I doubt it since I haven't touched them. Out of curiosity though, why would that matter? I'll set them up tonight, but I didn't have to do anything with the subnet masks when the systems were running Win98SE.

Moo

[Jeffbx]

It may be because you're part of @Home's network and not a workgroup. Are you running DHCP on both machines & just using addresses assigned by @Home? If so, you don't have a local network - every request is sent back to @Home to be resolved.

If you want the machines to be part of a workgroup, they both have to be within the same local subnet. You'd have to get yourself a cable router & put both machines behind the router, or set up your desktop to do Internet Connection Sharing & plug your laptop into your desktop.

[Moo-Shoe]

I guess the basic 4-port hub I have won't cut the mustard since I'm part of @Home, huh? I'm going to try assigning a subnet to both computers tonight and see if that will work on the hub that I have now, before going out and spending more money just so my brother can back up his laptop to my computer then to cd once in a while.

Thanks for all your advice.

Moo

[ChrisMG187]

you could just unplug the modem from the uplink port when u wanna transfer files...

[hapoo]

Try adding the NetBEUI protocol to both computers.

[Moo-Shoe]

Thanks Hapoo! Your suggestion of adding NetBEUI to my computers now allows me to connect to the machines in my machine. I guess I'll save a couple of bucks by not buying a router right now. Although, after reading about routers/switches today, I might still end up buying a Netgear RT314 in the future.

Thanks again to everyone who posted suggestions on how to solve my problem.

Moo

[hapoo]

glad i could help.