I want to network my laptop and desktop computers together so I can share files and printers. I have a crossover cable connecting the two. The desktop computer runs XP Home w/SP3; the laptop runs XP Pro w/SP3. I used the Network Setup Wizard on both systems to establish a workgroup connection, called MSHOME. I can ping each of the machines, regardless of which machine I’m on.
The problem is, when I go to the desktop, I can’t see its own shared folders or printers, and “View Workgroup Computers” is empty. I traced this to a missing “Microsoft Windows Network” icon under “Entire Network”. I’ve tried several things to restore this, including removing SP3, reinstalling Windows, and reinstalling SP3. But that didn’t work.
I’m stumped. I’d rather not have to resort to thumb drives to move files across the machines.