Useful Tips to Troubleshoot Windows File and Printer Sharing Issues

Simple File Sharing is a very useful feature in Microsoft Windows XP. This feature allows you to share files and documents with other users on your PC as well as with other users on a network. There is a new user interface (UI) called Simple File Sharing and a new Shared Documents feature. But many users face problems while using Windows File and Printer Sharing feature. In this article we will talk about typical issues that the users come across at the time of setting up peer-to-peer file sharing on a Microsoft Windows network. You
can also consult a remote computer repair company for troubleshooting the issues.

You may know that on a peer-to-peer Windows network, all computers possess a unique name. While naming the computers, you should ensure that all computer names are unique. They should also follow the Microsoft naming recommendations. You need to avoid spaces in computer names. You should also consider the length of computer names as well as the case (upper and lower) of names and the use of special character as well.

For home networks and other small LANs workgroups are used to connect all the computers while larger business networks operate with domains. All computers on a workgroup LAN must contain the same workgroup name. If you would like to share files between computers belonging to different workgroups you may face more difficulties. However, you can easily resolve this issue with assistance from technician.

Many a times, Windows file and printer sharing issues crop up due to wrong TCP/IP. For setting up a Windows LAN TCP/IP is the best network protocol to use. NetBEUI or IPX/SPX protocols for basic file sharing with Windows are also not uncommon. You need to install TCP/IP on each computer and uninstall NetBEUI and IPX/SPX whenever possible to avoid problems.

On home networks and other LANs a single router or gateway computer is used. Remember, all computers must operate in the same subnet and there should be unique IP addresses. Check whether the network mask is set to the same value on all computers or not. The network mask "255.255.255.0" is mostly used for home networks. Each computer should also have a unique IP address.

"File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" must be installed on a network adapter for enabling that computer to participate in file sharing. For sharing files on a Windows network, you need to define one or more network shares appropriately.
These are some useful tips that will help you to fix Windows file and printer sharing issues. Remember them and share printers and other network devices easily.

0 comments:

Post a Comment

 
Copyright © 2011. Hardware Information . All Rights Reserved
Design by Java . Published by Java Templates