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We have a wireless router to enable internet sharing (we are all students so we went wireless). The internet connection works, but me and my friend have often wanted to transfer information across the network or play games against each other. How do we go about this across a network? Could it just be that we both have ZoneAlarm set to Stealth out computers?

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Dani AI

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This thread shows the common situation where internet works through a Netgear wireless router but local PC-to-PC access does not. and already covered router-level blocking and basic connectivity tests. The notes below add complementary checks and safer troubleshooting steps that were not mentioned earlier.

Check the router’s wireless-mode features. Many Netgear models have “AP/client isolation”, “guest network” or MAC-based access control that prevents wireless clients from talking to each other even though internet access works. Confirm both machines are attached to the same SSID and not placed on a guest/isolated VLAN. Also inspect any access-control or parental-control rules that could be restricting LAN traffic.

On the Windows side, look at services and adapter bindings that support Microsoft networking. The Server and Workstation services must be running for shares and network browsing to function. Ensure the network adapter has the Microsoft network client bound to it and that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is allowed (helps name resolution on older Windows versions). As an alternative to name-based browsing, a hosts-file entry or DHCP reservation can simplify troubleshooting by keeping addresses stable.

For testing and safety: start with simple reachability checks that do not require opening permanent holes (some tools may be blocked by host firewalls). Any personal firewall should only be disabled briefly during tests and re-enabled afterward. For multiplayer games, use the game’s LAN-host option while both clients are on the same network segment; if hosting over the internet, router-side port mapping or UPnP is required. Keep wireless protected (WPA2/WPA3 and a strong passphrase) so local shares are not exposed to neighbors. Persistent problems benefit from reporting the Netgear model, the router’s LAN/wireless isolation settings, and the Windows adapter configuration.

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Member Avatar for Catweazle

Could be, Ryan. If that Router is also an Internet gateway, with NAT protection, or even better with SPI protection, then you could disable ZoneAlarm anyway if you choose. I personally just use my modem/router, and have no problems at all.

Make sure, of course, that your systems use the same workgroup name and that file and printer sharing is enabled on them.

Member Avatar for antioed

Also setup the XP firewall to allow File and Printer sharing or disable it if it's on. Don't use the computer names...always use IP addresses instead. You can telnet the other pc's IP address on the port F+P sharing uses like this:

Start-->Run--> type cmd and click "Ok"

To find out the IP address on a machine from this dos prompt type: ipconfig

In the black dos window type the following:

telnet <ip address> 139

...if there is a connectivity problem or a firewall is blocking the traffic you'll get a message like this:

"Connecting To 127.0.0.1...Could not open connection to the host, on port 139: Co
nnect failed"

...if you get a blank window with flashing cursor you have the right connectivity - probably just need to use IP instead of name.

you can use this method for getting the games working - just find out what port/s the game uses.

Member Avatar for Member #27070

Thanks! That has worked, although not tried any games yet. But we can now share files if we want to. Thanks!

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