File Sharing problems/computers not finding eachother

Hello all, I've searched around trying to find a solution to my problem however I havnt found anything.

I have two computers both wirelessly connected via a Linksys WAG160N, one is a desktop, the other is a laptop.. Ultimately the desktop is pretty much a server with HDD storage/printer etc..

Now when I restart my computers/delete my adapters and let them reinstall I can usually connect my computers to one another and share files, however thats really about the only way to do it.. if I leave my computers on for 4 hours and come back they usually will lose connection..

What have I done/tried:

disabled ipv6
reset router
formatting
joining homegroup
wired/wireless connections

This problem is VERY frustrating, I just want to do simple file sharing and its turning out to be quite a problem.. ALSO when I do see my desktop from my laptop I cant access the hard drive I shared, only folders ive shared inside it.. I want to be able to share the HDD as a whole.. I've added access to everyone with full control, but it still doesnt work.

Please help, I would like to use my desktop as a server for my laptop/xbox but its turning out to be quite annoying..

Things you can do to make it easy:

1) Create a user account on each machine with the same exact username/password. Always use these accounts.
2) Make sure both machines are assigned to the same workgroup.
3) For each machine, assign a static ip from the router. Disable the router's DHCP.
4) Open the hosts file on each machine in notepad and add an entry for the machine names and ip addresses. The default location is C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts.

For example, if the desktop is named DesktopA with an assigned ip address of 192.168.0.25 and Laptop is named LaptopB with ip assigned ip address 192.168.0.26, add these line in hosts for both machines

192.168.0.25 DesktopA
192.168.0.26 LaptopB

5) Complete drives are shared automatically with no user intervention. To access the C:\ drive of a remote machine, map it like this:

\\ipaddress\C$

for D:\

\\ipaddress\D$

etc...

6) Make sure that the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service is running and set to auto on each machine. Computer browser and workstation services should be enabled and auto on both machines. Disable IP Helper service and IPSec Policy Agent on both machines.

7) Open Computer (Windows Explorer.) Click organize then folder and search options. Go to view tab. Uncheck the box for Use Sharing Wizard (Recommended) on both machines.

8) Install TVersity to serve to your XBOX, instead of Windows Media. Disable SSDP Discovery service and UPnP Device Host service if you do.

Other info: Homegroup needs IPV6 to work but all the tips I've given do not need or use the Homegroup feature of 7.

torrentg said:

3) For each machine, assign a static ip from the router. Disable the router's DHCP.

not too sure how to do this, when I disable DHCP i lose internet access and i've tried assigning them in the advanced routing section but no luck.. any tips?

Instead of setting the IPs through the router, I set them manually through windows and I also edited the hosts file like you said.. I am now sharing through my laptop/desktop and they can see eachother, the only problem is my xbox is still losing the computers, it will work at first but then if i leave it for an hour they'll disapear.. I've installed TVersity and like it more than using windows.. Should I set an IP manually for the xbox too and add it into the hosts file? If so what do I call the xbox.

Yeah, that is what I meant...to assign ips in Windows like you did. Nice.

TVersity is awesome, so good choice.

Yes. I have PS3 and I assign that its own ip address as well. You can do the same for the XBOX. Then after, open the hosts file in each machine and add a line for this too. You can name it anything that you want.

Example:

192.168.0.27 XBox

There ya go lol.

Glad things seem to be going better there for ya.

Hi

I'm afraid that part of the problem you are seeing is a 'feature' of the WAG160N - file sharing works for several hours after a router reboot but then fails. This router has had this problem since it's release and Linksys-Cisco can't/won't fix it. There was a hint at one stage that it was a hardware problem.

Go to DSL - Linksys Community Forums and search for WAG160N, you'll see numerous posts on file sharing and problems pinging other computers on the network.

Linksys replaced my WAG160N to solve this problem but the new one was the same.

Sorry to be the bringer of bad news.

Andy

Treebeard said:

Hi

I'm afraid that part of the problem you are seeing is a 'feature' of the WAG160N - file sharing works for several hours after a router reboot but then fails. This router has had this problem since it's release and Linksys-Cisco can't/won't fix it. There was a hint at one stage that it was a hardware problem.

Go to DSL - Linksys Community Forums and search for WAG160N, you'll see numerous posts on file sharing and problems pinging other computers on the network.

Linksys replaced my WAG160N to solve this problem but the new one was the same.

Sorry to be the bringer of bad news.

Andy

And the WAG160N is one of several failures from Linksys.

People seem to trust this brand blindly because of it's affiliation with Cisco,
but Cisco routers are a whole different ballgame, with a different price tag.

Generally the linux based Linksys models are ok.
Among the models with proprietary sw there is a lot of garbage out there.

After having two of these, and experiencing Linksys's crappy "sell and abandon" support I stay away from Linksys.

Greetz

Ok I've assigned everything manually and updated the hosts file, everything seems good so far - thanks torrentg :)

I had a feeling it may have been my router because it can sometimes cut out and act a bit strange, I guess the next few days will be the real test.. PS: I've had 3 routers in the past two years, I need to do more research before I pick them.

sorry if i ask dumb question here...but the set up that you guys suggested can be apply to cable sharing (means that i just connect my laptop that using XP using cross LAN cable)?

Thanks in advanced for the attention.

marijuana said:

sorry if i ask dumb question here...but the set up that you guys suggested can be apply to cable sharing (means that i just connect my laptop that using XP using cross LAN cable)?

Thanks in advanced for the attention.

marijuana,

Start your own thread.

Your issue is different.

greetz