Connecting 2 laptops togeter via router

Lenny

Hello, short and simple. have two laptops running vista, have a dlink-635 router. can connect them both the net internetgrand, but how do I setup between them so I can transfare files between both of them?
been googling it a bit but just can't nip it in the but on a step to step guide, maybe someone has a link somewere?
also had a look at the FAQ and didn't get the answer
thanks, I think I have bit of an idea with the tcp/ip or so..

stylers

you want file sharing, for which you'll have to enable on your firewalls on the laptops (usually blocked by default). then share the folders you want to access. The shared documents folder in XP is shared by default.. so when you've enabled file and printer sharing in the firewalls, you should be able to see the two laptops in Network Neighbourhood (My Network places), and the shared folders on them. create a shortcut to them.

dohda

Hi,

I have the same problem as the OP. Both computers can use the internet. Both show ip addresses on the router home page.

I have enabled every item for sharing and turned my firewall off completly on both PC's but still neither can detect the other.

If the OP has done the same then where do both of us go from here? I expected this to be fairly straight forward on two computers both running Vista.

Help would be much appreciated.

MunsterCycling

Change the network profile from Public to Private and you should be able to see the other computers on your network.


MC

dohda

Thanks for the reply. I have already tried that I'm afraid and it still did not work. Do one of the computers have to be hard wired to the router via ethernet connection maybe? I have both of them wireless at the moment.

MunsterCycling

No it should not matter to the OS how they are connected, have you allowed the firewall to open the ports needed as above?

FSL

Have you checked that both machines are in the same workgroup?

dohda

Sorry for the delays of these posts but I am working nights.

I had turned the firewall off completly, would taht not cover opening the ports? or is this something different?

As for the work groups this is something I am unsure of. I have given each comp a name but dont remember coming across this before. Where do I find this?

Thanks again for the help

FSL

To set the work group name:-

Choose Start Control Panel System

Then choose the Computer Name Tab

Click on Change and set a work group name.

Repeat on the other machine using the same work group name

dohda

Thansk folks that has done the trick. (I'm nto sure why though 'coz as far as I could tell they were both just called 'workgroup')? Anyway, issue resolved for me at least.

Cheers