jercarrier@earthlink.net wrote:

> Many thanks for your response. You've opened up a new world to me --
> but I've come to a roadblock again.
>
> First, let me clarify that I can view both the Desktop's and the
> Laptop's Alpha folder side-by-side in either computer. I can't do
> that
> with the Beta folder, though. (In real life, there is only one Alpha
> folder and about eight Beta's.)

> In trying to follow your suggestions, the first thing I did was to
> START>SEARCH>COMPUTERS on each machine. On Desktop, there are two
> entries for Laptop, and on Laptop, there are two entries for Desktop.
> Why are there double entries, I wonder? Need I do something about
> that? If so what -- just delete one of the entries?

I'm pretty confused about what you are seeing. You might want to
consider having a knowledgeable friend or professional come and set you
up. I don't know why you should see double entries and honestly I'm not
sure where you're looking.

You've only got two computers and you've got a router. This should be
easy. Forget all the "desktop alpha/beta" "laptop alpha/beta" stuff. Do
this instead:

1. If you can successfully share files from both machines go to Step 3.
It doesn't sound to me like you are successfully sharing files on the
Laptop, but again - it's hard to visualize what's going on. If you
can't successfully share files, run the Network Setup Wizard on both
machines. Reboot.

2. If you are using a firewall other than the SP2 Windows Firewall, go
into its configuration and allow lan traffic as trusted. Do this with
an IP range, for ex. 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. The exact subnet
depends on what your router provides so check if you don't know. If you
have antivirus programs with Internet Worm Protection-type firewalls,
disable them. Make sure you are not running the Windows Firewall unless
it is your *only* firewall. If it is your *only* firewall, put a check
in File & Printer Sharing on the Exceptions tab.

3. Create a new folder on Desktop's desktop. Call it "Network". Inside
that folder, put shortcuts to desired shared resources on Laptop by
using Search for Computers on the Network and navigating to the shares.
One of those shared resources will be Laptop's Alpha and Beta folders.
I don't care how many of them they are as long as they all have
different names; i.e., Beta-1, Beta-2, etc.

4. Do the same thing on the Laptop's desktop only obviously you are
going to put shared resources from Desktop in there.

5. Now, on Desktop's desktop, make a shortcut to the Alpha folder (or
whatever) that lives on Desktop's hard drive. If you have several
folders you want to compare with Laptop's stuff, make a parent folder
and call it something like "Desktop's Alpha/Beta". Put the shortcuts to
the actual Alpha/Beta folders inside.

6. Do the same thing on Laptop's desktop, etc.

7. Now when you want to compare Laptop's Alpha folder, open the damn
thing from the shortcut you made. Now open the shortcut to Desktop's
folder you made. Look at them and compare.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User