Networking to Windows Nightmare

[Peakoverload]

I hate, no that's not strong enough, I absolutely detest with a passion Windows XP. Or to be more precise I really hate Windows networking, I mean why does it have to be sooooooooooo stupidly fussy?

Here's the thing.

I have 3 computers on my network, two XP Pro laptops and a lovely iMac all of which are connected to my router via Wi-Fi.

Laptop 1: Connects to the router and the Internet and in View Workgroup computers can see itself and the iMac but not Laptop 2. Huh? Now, although it can see the iMac if I double click on it it just tells me that I may not have permission to view it. Again, Huh?

Laptop 2: Connects to the router and the Internet but in View Workgroup computers can only see itself!

iMac: Connects to the router and the Internet and can see and access both Laptops, of course it can - it's a Mac!


What on Earth is going on? All computers are in the same Workgroup all computers have been named with single word names. Any ideas how I can pursuade Windows to come out and play?

All I want to do is to be able to map a shared folder on the iMac to a drive letter on one of the laptops.

 

[Peakoverload]

Aha Solved it!

It turns out that it was the Firewall in OSX that was the culprit!

I've had to completely disable it in order to allow Laptop 1 & 2 to connect to it which obviously isn't ideal. Anyone know how I should configure the firewall in order to allow these two computers access but not have it completely switched off?

Under Sharing/Services I have Personal File Sharing, Windows Sharing & Printer Sharing ticked

Under Sharing/Firewall I have Adobe Version Cue CS3 Server, Network Time, iChat Bonjour, iTunes Music Sharing & iPhoto Bonjour Sharing ticked

Under the Advanced Tab in Firewall settings I've got Block UDP Traffic, Enable Firewall Logging & Enable Stealth Mode ticked.

 

[dtravis7]

Under Advanced in Firewall I do not have any of those 3 checked. Mine works with all my Windows shares.

 

[jonnyd]

Aha Solved it!

It turns out that it was the Firewall in OSX that was the culprit!

I've had to completely disable it in order to allow Laptop 1 & 2 to connect to it which obviously isn't ideal. Anyone know how I should configure the firewall in order to allow these two computers access but not have it completely switched off?

Under Sharing/Services I have Personal File Sharing, Windows Sharing & Printer Sharing ticked

Under Sharing/Firewall I have Adobe Version Cue CS3 Server, Network Time, iChat Bonjour, iTunes Music Sharing & iPhoto Bonjour Sharing ticked

Under the Advanced Tab in Firewall settings I've got Block UDP Traffic, Enable Firewall Logging & Enable Stealth Mode ticked.

Wouldn't it just be easier to block all ports on your router that you don't need open? I normally just have 80 for web stuff, and if I need ftp or whatever I open up the ports as and when necessary.

I don't worry about what's open on the stations.