Newbie Network Woes

Hi,

I use a laptop for when I am visiting clients and a desktop back at the home office. Both are running Widows 7 Home Premium 64 bit as well as Microsoft Security Essentials. The desktop connects to the modem/router via a patch cable while the laptop accesses wireless. I thought it would be a good idea to network the 2 computers so I could sync changes by way of Synctoy. Thats when I realised I am a little lacking in expertise!

Originally I set up a Homegroup and was able to see each the laptop from the desktop and vice versa, however I did not like the fact that all other users of the desktop could access my files and folders, so I deleted Homegroup. I then noticed that under the Network icon in explorer, the other computers were listed, even though I had not 'set-up' a network. When I clicked on the desktop icon on the laptop and entered the correct username and password, I had secure access to the files and folders. Hurrah!! However, when I tried to connect from the desktop in the same way, all I get is an error message stating that 'the laptop is not accessible and there is a logon failure: the user has not been granted the requested logon type at this computer'

So to my questions:

1. What is the reason for the above error message
2. Is this the best way to 'set-up' a network at home to allow my laptop and desktop to communicate securely (specific user profile to same user profile on other PC)

Hope some one can help as my head hurts from trying to find an answer

Steve

Following the lack of response to my original post, I can only assume that my ineptitude has everyone rolling on the floor in a fit of laughter.
So I thought I would try to explain what I want to do and see if anyone can offer advice to that. the details follow:

• I have a desktop PC running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.
• There are 3 users on this PC (Steve, Penny and Lucy)
• I have a laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.
• I am the only user on the laptop.
• Both laptop and desktop use MSE and widows Firewall.
• I copied my user library from desktop to laptop to give identical documents etc at the time of copy (I used Windows Easy Transfer)
• I want to keep my documents on both laptop and desktop up to date by using SyncToy (or similar)

How do I set up a network that only allows me (Steve) to sync say, once a week? In Homegroup all users on the desktop can see my files and folders and vice versa, which is not what I want. It is also possible that at some point I would like to use media sharing to home entertainment equipment, as long as it does not compromise the required invisibility of my documents.


I hope this is now a little clearer.


Thanks in advance


Steve

Hi Golden and thanks for the quick reply. The problem I have is that Homegroup allows all users on the desktop to see all libraries on the desktop. So, I need to have 2 way communication between my user profile on the laptop and desktop, while excluding all other users from seeing other user profiles on the laptop and desktop.

For example, if I set up Homegroup, Penny can see mine (Steve) library on the desktop as well as the laptop. I have looked at the sharing permisions and tried sharing with NOBODY then looking to select just me, but to cover the laptop as well, I only have the option to share with WORKGROUP.

Its probably something I am doing wrong but if not I suppose I can simply forget networking and sync the laptop and desktop through a hardwired conection.

Does this make a little more sense now?

Steve

Hi,

I carried out step 4 (Option 1) and deselected all libraries and printers on the desktop. This made Homegroup invisible to other desktop users, as well as the laptop. I carried out the same deselection on the laptop and that became invisible to the desktop. I then selected the music library on the desktop and that became visible through the Homegroup for all desktop users and the laptop. I then went to the navigation pane to set permissions, and in the Specify People menu, saw that Steve and Homegroup was listed. I removed Homegroup, selected Steve and clicked Share. All that did was to make the library invisible again!

So it seems there is no way to do what I am trying to.

Unless you know another way.......

Thanks

Steve

Sounds exactly what I need!

So, just how do I do that? A walk-through would be helpful (or a pointer to a tutorial)

Thanks

Fantastic!! A perfect solution and secure as well, as I have to log in to the desktop from the laptop and vice versa.

All I need to do now is set up Synctoy and I will be a very happy bunny

Thanks for going to the trouble, Colin. So simple in the end.

Steve