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#1
Can't See Other Computers on Network
I have a problem. I'm trying to help my sister's systems configured so that she can share a printer. Here is her setup:
She has a Windows XP computer, to which her printer is attached. It is connected (via cable) to a Linksys WRT54G2 wireless router, to which her cable modem is connected. She also has a Windows 7 laptop with a wireless network adapter, which uses the same Linksys wireless router to connect to the internet. Both computers connect through the wireless router to the internet with no problem.
Now for the problem. I cannot get either computer to see the other computer on the network, though both can see and successfully use the shared internet connection through the wireless router. I've run the Network Setup Wizard on the XP machine, and have checked the settings for the Win 7 machine to make sure that the network is NOT trying to use the HomeGroup feature, and that the network locaton is set as HOME. I've also checked that the Network Advanced options are correctly set to enable network discovery, file and printer sharing, public folder sharing, and media streaming. Password protected sharing is turned off, and encryption is set at 128 bit.
In checking the router (I wasn't there when the router was set up, and my sister remembers little about how it was done, she THINKS that maybe the cable guy who installed their cable internet service did it), it shows an Unprotected connection. While I have explained to her that this is dangerous, everything I have read indicates that though it is ill advised, it should still function. She is hesitant to have me fiddle with the router--since (with some justification) she fears that she may lose her internet connection, which as I said, works fine now.
I readily confess that I am not a networking expert, by any means. I did successfully set up a similar setup of my own (wireless router, Win 7 system, and Win XP system, cable modem). But when I did it, once I had configured everything, each computer showed up on the other, and file and printer sharing works fine. If anyone has any suggestions as to what I may be missing, or something I can check, I'd be very appreciative. Just a caveat, that I may be slow to reply, since checking anything, or trying anything requires a physical trip to my sister's house. Any suggestions welcomed.