my second computer will recognize the network but will not detect the 1st computer to share files?

Miguel Koczela: Odds are pretty good that you have already done the simple stuff, i.e., both computers can connect to the Internet. First off, you want to enable file and print sharing on both computers. Open Start, Network Connections, and select the Wireless network you are connected to. Right-click, select Properties, and check the box for File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks. Stop at the tab next door and disable the Windows Firewall, at least temporarily, until you get your computers talking to each other. Once you get the connection established, you can turn it back on and make an exception policy.The next step is to disable simple file sharing. Many users don't do this because of the misleading label Microsoft puts on it, but it creates a lot of problems. Open My Computer, Tools, Folder Options. Go to the View tab, and scroll down to the bottom in the Avanced settings pane. There is a check box labeled Use simple file sharing (recommended). TURN T! HIS OPTION OFF. Then select the button at the top of the dialog that says Apply to All Folders.Windows XP assumed. On Vista, the checkbox is labeled "Use sharing wizard." File sharing is enabled through Control PanelNetwork and Sharing Center. The operations are similar, although you need administrator rights to change anything there.Here's a tip: on each machine, use the same names for each user account, and for each user account spanning both machines, use the same Windows password. If, for example, your machines are named "Larry" and "Moe," and you have an account on "Larry" named "Dad," set up an account named "Dad" on "Moe" and give it the same Windows password you use on "Larry."Of course, if you don't use passwords on each machine (although you should) you should not see this problem....Show more

Tyrone Disanti: Is network sharing turned on?Can the computers ping each other?

Bryant Pillitteri: examine right here: the two laptop making use of the compa! rable WORKGROUP this may well be indexed on the laptop call co! mponent of the device homes on top of issues Panel. the two ought to be the comparable. the two laptop set to permit sharing on the confusing drives. Open My laptop on each and each device and choose each and each confusingpersistent one by one. suitable click on the icon for the confusingpersistent and choose sharing and secure practices. change on document sharing. observe: once you change on document sharing with the potential to alter records on the different laptop, it may take a protracted time for the device to replace thepersistent settings, and you have gotten constrained use of your laptop for the duration of that ingredient. Can take in to an hour in case you have very large confusing drives....Show more