Laptop connects to internet but can't access computers on home network

[jm2267]

I have a home network consisting of two desktops and two laptops connected via a D-link 655 Wireless N router. My laptop runs Vista Home Premium. My wife's laptop runs XP. We all connect to the internet just fine. There is a printer connected to one of the desktops and we use it to print from the laptops. My wife's XP laptop has no problem printing.

I can't print or access the shared files on the desktop. When I click on networking I see an icon for the desktop but when I click on it there is a long pause before I get a "\\xxxx is not accessible, you may not have access, etc" message. Turning off firewalls, antiviral programs, etc on both computers has no effect. The workgroup names are identical.

I have found one solution that works but only for a short time. If I rename the workgroup on both and reboot both, suddenly my laptop can print, see all the shared folders on the desktop, etc. Then before a day has passed, it's gone again. If I do it again, it works again but only for a short time.

I have searched every forum, help page to no avail. I don't even know where to begin. The problem didn't exist when I first bought the laptop so something must have changed but what?

Hi
Maybe this can Help.
Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings,
http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is
allowed to be shared.
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb727037.aspx
Windows XP File Sharing -
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...utt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"jm2267" <jm2267.3gewkc@no-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in message
news:jm2267.3gewkc@no-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...
>
> I have a home network consisting of two desktops and two laptops
> connected via a D-link 655 Wireless N router. My laptop runs Vista Home
> Premium. My wife's laptop runs XP. We all connect to the internet just
> fine. There is a printer connected to one of the desktops and we use it
> to print from the laptops. My wife's XP laptop has no problem printing.
>
> I can't print or access the shared files on the desktop. When I click
> on networking I see an icon for the desktop but when I click on it there
> is a long pause before I get a "\\xxxx is not accessible, you may not
> have access, etc" message. Turning off firewalls, antiviral programs,
> etc on both computers has no effect. The workgroup names are identical.
>
> I have found one solution that works but only for a short time. If I
> rename the workgroup on both and reboot both, suddenly my laptop can
> print, see all the shared folders on the desktop, etc. Then before a day
> has passed, it's gone again. If I do it again, it works again but only
> for a short time.
>
> I have searched every forum, help page to no avail. I don't even know
> where to begin. The problem didn't exist when I first bought the laptop
> so something must have changed but what?
>
>
> --
> jm2267
> Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com
>