>> This desktop has it's own IP Address, unlike the laptops. << Every computer has its own IP address. You would get and error message if two computers on the same network had the same IP address. Run ipconfig /all from a command prompt and compare the information you get from each computer. Each should have a different IP address. The one you are having problems with will probably have an IP address in the range 169.254.xxx.xxx. It should be in the range 192.168.xxx.xxx the same as all the others. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314067 Stuart

There are 4 PCs in our home network. Two desktops connected to the Linksys hybrid router by cables and two laptops connected wirelessly. All can access the net. The main PC on the network is an older model Gateway. It's running W XP Pro. The second desktop has it's own IP Address, as does the main. It's a Dell running W XP Home. The first laptop is a Dell running W XP Pro. The second laptop is an Acer running W Vista. I want the four PCs to be able to share a printer and an external hard drive that is presently connected to the main PC. All PCs have been named and a workgroup set up. The laptop running W Vista is now seeing all the available shared drives and the printer. After some tinkering, the first laptop running W XP Pro is also seeing all the shared drives and printer. Now comes the problem. The second desktop running W XP Home is connecting to the internet, but does not see the shared drives or printer. This desktop has it's own IP Address, unlike the laptops. I've run the Network Setup Wizard more than once. When this PC is turned on, the main PC sees it in "My Network Places". When you click on My Network Places in this PC the box attempts to open, flickering then vanishes, replaced by a box saying Windows has encountered a problem and blah blah blah Send a Message or Not. Then, it generally freezes up. If you go to add a printer it can't find the shared printer. I've run out of ideas. Someone told me to go to Tools\Folder Options\View and deselect Automatically search for network folders and printers and delete the MSN icon that shows up. But the My Network Places is not working properly. Any ideas? Relative Noob

Sorry about that. I originally had to pay Rogers ISP 10 bucks for a separate IP for the second PC. When I run ipconfig/all only the main PC's IP shows up. Relative Noob

OK. I'm just now at a point where when the second desktop attempts to connect to the network I've setup, it gets a message saying it requires permission from the administrator to access it. What now? Relative Noob

You don't need a second IP address of you are running a home network, one will do. The router issues each computer connected to its own IP address called a Class A Private address via DHCP and Network Address TRanslation. Read the manual for the routers as to how to set these up. ipconfig only works on the computer it is run on. You need to run it on every computer. I think you need to read up on netwrok configuration. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/... Stuart

"...ipconfig only works on the computer it is run on. You need to run it on every computer..." So typing ipconfig/all in the main PC won't give you the IP addresses of the other three PCs too? I've been misinformed. This is several hours of my life I'll never get back. Now when I go to My Network Places on the main PC and click on View Workgroup Computers, it hangs for a bit then a message appears saying: "Network Name" is not accessible. You might not have permissions to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of the server to find out if you have access permission. This is what still appears on the second desktop I'm trying to connect to our home network, just so it can share an external drive and printer. Think I'll just move the printer and external hard drive whenever they're needed. I've had the biscuit! Thanks for your help. Relative Noob