Member Avatar for mywifeandme

hi there i recently bought a linksys wrt54g broadband router i have cable ntl now i set every thing up, switched on i can the internet on both computers but i can not get the computers to see each other i have tried every thing i have bought 2 books on wirelee networks but just canot get the 2 computers to see each other any one any thoughts:lol:

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Dani AI

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As flagged, a local firewall is the most common thing that will let both PCs reach the internet but stop them from "seeing" each other. As noted, workgroup/name mismatches will also prevent browsing, and 's ping suggestion is the fastest way to tell whether the problem is basic connectivity or higher-level sharing.

Common quick checks:

  1. Verify IP addressing and reachability with ipconfig /all and ping <other-PC-IP>. If ping fails, the issue is network-level or firewall-related; if ping works but shares do not, the problem is service/permission-related.
  2. Confirm both systems are in the same workgroup/name and reboot after any change.
  3. Ensure "File and Printer Sharing" is installed/enabled and the Windows firewall (or any third-party firewall) allows it; temporarily disable non-Microsoft firewalls only for testing. Ports/protocols used are SMB (TCP 139 and 445) and NetBIOS.
  4. Check required services: Server, Workstation and Computer Browser should be running for browsing and sharing to work.

Router/wireless checks:

  • Inspect router wireless options for "AP/Client isolation" or "guest mode" — if enabled, wireless clients are prevented from talking to each other even though internet access is allowed.
  • Confirm both machines are on the same SSID/network segment (not one on a wired VLAN/guest SSID and the other on wireless main SSID). A simple wired test (both on LAN ports) will show whether the issue is wireless-specific.

Printer and sharing notes:

  • Share the printer on the host machine, set share and NTFS permissions appropriately (People often forget to allow "Everyone" or the specific accounts), then connect using \\hostname\printername or by Add Printer -> network printer. Rebooting the router and clients after changes often clears stale name resolution.

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Member Avatar for jbennet

firewall?

Member Avatar for hbarnwheeler

What do you mean they can't "see each other" ? Can they ping each other? What operating systems are you using on the 2 machines? What kind of inter-connectivity would you like? eg File sharing?

Member Avatar for mywifeandme

i run xp on both computers and both can go on the internet via the router which is a wireless linksys wrt54g but when i set the net work up computer 1 can not see the other i have done the wireless network set up but its like its not there any help would be great

Member Avatar for mywifeandme

sorry all i want is to share files and the printer

Member Avatar for jbennet

To share files and printers go network places and on the toolbar on the left click "set up a home or small office network" (house icon)

Member Avatar for TheNNS

are you in the same workgroup? that could be it.

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