Network 2 computers

Hi guys,

I was wondering if anyone can help me to network my 2 computers so I can share files between them. I am just trying to create a simple network with a etheret cable. The desktop is a novatech barebones that I have had for a long time and the other is a new Acer 5750 laptop. They are both running the same version of Windows 7 ultimte edition. On the desktop 'network and sharing' page I see this...




When I d-click on the 'unidentified network' icon it 'sees' the laptop but when i d-click on that it says...

"Laptop is not accessible You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the admiistraotr of this server to find out if you have access permissions.

The Server service is not started."

On the laptops 'network and sharing' page i see this...



and when I d-click on the multiple networks icon at the top it just shows the laptop and a laptop media area. No desktop. If I d-click on the park bench icon it tells me to name the network and choose an icon but then wont let me make any changes.

Can anybody tell me what I need to do to get these to computers to communicate properly? I'm quite happy to start again from scratch, creating a new network as obviously what I've done so far is obviously not correct as its not working properly. Please feel free to ask any questions as I'll happily give any information you need in order to help me get this sorted. I am a noob to networking though so the more straight-forward and simple you can make this the better for me. Step-by-step would be perfect but anything that helps me with this will be very much appreciated. Thanks.

Also, when I click "see full network map" I get this...



I can drop down the bar at the top and select the direct connection between the two computers but then it tells me...

"Windows cannot create the network map because the network type is set to public. In order to view the network map, you must set the networks location type to Home or Work in Network and Sharing center."

Going back to the network and sharing center I cannot find anything clickable that will make these changes. This is on the laptop. When doing the same thing on the desktop I get the same map and when I drop the tab down and select the 'unidentified network' I get...

"Windows cannot create the network map. Responses from the other devices on the network are delayed or there is an incompatible router on the network."

hope this helps.

You could just use the network setup wizarrd, just tick the right boxes and the OS does the rest. Go to the start menu and type network in the run box, from the list select create an ad-hoc (computer to computer) network.

It is a good idea to read the documents though so you know about the possible pitfalls.

There's some good video's on the subject via youtube.

Thanks for your answers guys, I think these are going to be invaluable when I actually get to the stage where I'm sharing files/folders. Right now though I cannot even get the two comps to recognise each other. The desktop acknowledges the name of the laptop but you can't do anyhing with it. The laptop recognises that something is plugged into it but nothing more than that. Just comes up with 'unidentified network' and will not let me make any changes to it. Doesn't come up with the wizard like it does when I connect it to my wireless internet connection. Fairly sure that the problem lies with the Acer Aspire 5750 Lan connection not being configured properly but cannot, for the life of me, figure out what it is. Really pulling my hair out on this one!

This is a straight forward guide: Windows 7 ad hoc network

Thanks for your help guys. I got this working in the end. I cant tell you everything I did to make this work as there was so many little adjustments I made. I can tell you that I had to disconnect both internet connections and force the desktop to leave the homegroup that the laptop couldn't connect to. After this things started to move along a bit. I created a new homegroup on the laptop and very nearly managed to connect the desktop to that. Still had to make a couple more adjustments, the last of which being making sure the clocks were exactly synced to internet time. From there they both connected and the file sharing part was a breeze. So thanks for your suggestions. Problem solved.