Hi Jack, Thank you. I have done what you suggested (I think), The windows XP
generic firewall is switched off on both machines, and I have turned the AV
software to 'Full Trust' (Nortin IS 2009) on both machines.

Still nothing.

The laptop PC does not appear in the desktop PC 'my computer'
and the desktop PC appears but is not accesible on the laptop 'my computer'.

I would be gratefull for any other suggestions.

Thanks
Mike





"Jack-MVP" wrote:

Hi
Hi
Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local
traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should
be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers
on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party
Firewall instructions.
General example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trusted
Windows XP File Sharing -
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...utt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"Mike Hoban" wrote in message
...
I have lived with this problem for a long time, and figured it would never
be
resolved, until, that is ,I found this forum, so hopefully dsomeone can
help.

1 Desktop connected to the wirelss router via its USB port
1 Lap Top connected to the same router wirelessly.

All good. As stand alone machines they do everything that they should as
such.

However........I cannot get them to communicate and share access with each
other.

On the Laptop I can 'see' the desktop in 'my computer', but it tells me I
dont have permission to access it. Likewise the external Hard Drives
connected to the desktop appear on the laptop 'my computer' but are
inaccesible.

On the Desktop PC , I cannot see the Laptop or any of the external Hard
Drives connected to it in 'my computer'.

I hope this is a clear and concise summary of the problems, I am happy to
give more details if I am told what to give, and any suggestions as to
what
is going on would be appreciated.
Thanks.