Problem Creating Network
 

Im trying to create a home network, so that I can share files between computers. Both computers connect to the internet through a router that is connected to my cable modem. I have tried creating a "home or small office network" in "My Network Places" and then right clicking on the folders I want to share and selecting "sharing & security" in order to share the folders. However, my problem is that when I create the "home or small office network" both my computers are in the same workgroup in "My Network Places" but I see none of the folders I set to be shared, actually being shared.

If you have a software firewall, you need to configure it to allow traffic between the two computers

Nope, I have no firewall whatsoever.

There are couple of things I can suggest:

1: Have you checked the intergrated windows firewall?
You may need to goto the Control Panel, click on Windows Firewall, then on the Exceptions tab and tick File and printer sharing.

2: Make sure that there is a connection between the two computers:
On the first computer, goto Start and click on Run. Type in cmd. When the window comes up type in ipconfig. You should then get a couple of lines telling you the DNS, ip address, subnet and default gateway. Note down the IP address.
Goto the second computer, goto to Run and type in cmd again, this time when the window comes up type in ping n.n.n.n (where n.n.n.n is the ip address you got from the other computer). This will make sure that the link is working (if you get connection timed out then you are in trouble)

3: Type in the actual address of the shared folder:
Note down the computer names and the name of the folder you are trying to share. Type the computer name followed by the folder name in the format \\computer name\folder name in the address bar. See if you can get directly into it.

Hope this helps.

I did the steps you mentioned and one computer can share all the folders perfectly fine, but it can't see the folder's on the other computer. I tried typing in the direct location of the folder, but that didn't work either. I then tried accessing the computer in MShome, but it said, "You do not have the appropriate access rights for this server." I then tried "Add a network place" but when I select the computer from Entire Network --> Microsoft Windows Network --> Mshome --> computer name, it doesn't let me expand it to select any folders I would like to add to my network.

I have the same problem. I used to do what your supposed to do when you make a home or small office network and it worked the first time but after that when ever I did the same steps, my files would never get shared.

It may be worth setting up the workgroup connection again on the computer that isn't working.

Yeah, I've tried setting up a workgroup as well, but it doesn't help.

Sure, you enabled sharing and such, but check the security permissions as well. In XP Pro at least, (I'm not sure if it's always for me it is) but while sharing is enabled the the various user permissions aren't set how I wanted. I usually have to enable anything I want to do, like reading, writing, executing, etc.

How would I go about checking the security permissions?

When that properties dialog box opens up after right-clicking "Sharing and Security" there's some options if you hit that "Permissions" button as well as under the "Security" tab. I'm assuming you're not using the "Simple File Sharing" option.

It may also be worth checking the Local Area Connection to see if File and Printer sharing for Microsoft Networks is ticked (Control Panel - Network Connections - Local Area Connection - Right click - Properties - General tab).

Perchance, do you use any kind of passwords on both accounts? Windows XP built-in default sharing security settings prohibit the use of blank passwords. There is a way to unset this via Registry Editor or Groups Policy Editor.