network problems

Hey, guys. I'm having more trouble than I'd ever liked to have with anything.

I set up my network a while back, and set up a workgroup for sharing printers/files. I used the XP wizard on both computers to set this workgroup up. The file sharing works only when it wants to. For example...

On the upstairs computer, I can:
1) View the other computer in my workgroup. 2) See the shared folders of the downstairs computer. 2) Print using the printer on the other computer.
On the upstairs computer, I cannot:
1) Access any of the shared folders on the other computer, aside from "SharedDocs."

On the downstairs computer, I can:
1) View the upstairs computer in my workgroup.
On the downstairs computer, I cannot:
1) See or access any shared folders on the upstairs computer

I like to consider myself a somewhat advanced computer user, but without much knowledge of the technical names of many things. Networking just has me puzzled.

Any help or requests for more information on the problem are welcome... And if this is solved, maybe some of you will also know why I'm experiencing an echo effect with my sound card.(and yes, my microphone is muted)

Need more info bro,
Are u using a Hub, Router, Switch, Dual Isdn, Csu/Dsu,
If Yes, What Brand Name is it/They?
what are the internal Ip's and Subnet masks of the two
Pc's?
By internal Ip, I mean the ones that start with 192.? or 169.?
X

All that I'm using is this shitty router:

http://www.archtek.com/IS-104A.htm - An Archtek router...

And I'm not sure about the rest of the stuff... so, I'll answer to the rest of my ability.

Subnet mask... I only find one instance of it.. and it comes back as "255.255.255.0" (no idea what that even is..)

The internal IPs of the two machines, currently, are:
upstairs - 192.168.1.7
downstairs - 192.168.1.6

*shrugs*

I'm going to assume you have internet access
from both pc's. I will also assume that both pc's
have the same workgroup name; IE: "Workgroup"
Also are the ip's "static" or "Dynamic"?, Static would
be better, unless you know the pc's Names.
if you Know the names of the pc's, try to connect
in this format::

Code:

Click[Start]->[Run]->type: ComputerNameSharedFolderName

If not try:

Code:

Click[Start]->[Run]->type:IPAddressSharedFolderName

Are both PC's Using the same OS: XP Home Or Pro?

If none of that works, try to move the downstairs PC into "DMZ" on your
router, this places the pc outside of the router's firewall. If you can access
the Upstairs with Downstairs in DMZ then your router isn't config'd
properly, (It's also a good Idea to have your router in the same
workgroup as your PC's).

Let me know where this leaves us.
Add me to your XFire also, Uname In My Sig.(xpider)

X

Make sure that each end of the string is SECURELY fastened to a Tin can. Also, for best results, you should pull the string taught to communicate.

My router settings can't be configured that way, I don't think. I looked all over for anything that said "static IP," but the only place it said it referred to the internet connection. It's a crappy router.

You set it up in Windows Control panel, under Network.
Go to tcp/ip, properties.
But it will definately cause issues with port forwarding and crap.

X

I have seen this before, and I was able to resolve it by going into each machines TCP/IP settings and Forcing NETBIOS over TCP/IP under the WINS tab.

Shit Ralph,
I didn't even think of forcing a naming convention
over the 'work. Thanks m8, that's going in
My big book of how to fix crazee ass weird crap
that only happens with winxp.

Xploder

oh damn, I'm sorry guys, I had the answer the whole time.

No need to call Dell tech support, just Format your hard drive.


-elmo, (AKA Viju)

I'll Say it Again:
Dell makes computers now?
whoodathunkit

Dell?! Nah, pirated XP Pro Corporate all the way.

oh, and... I went to the WINS tab... and it only has options for "enable NetBIOS" and "disable NetBIOS" and it was already set at enable.

The only other things in that tab are adding a WINS address(no idea what that is) and "enable LMHOSTS lookup," which is checked.

do you have it like this on both PC's? this only worked in my case because the router (DHCP component of it) was providing NETBIOS, and i did not have access to it.