The Answer
First, for troubleshooting, make sure whole hard drive is
shared, and share a couple of folders on that drive. Also make sure
that there are no access restrictions to the shares. Also don't use
a password on the Host. After you get the problem fixed you can set
up a password.
Make sure that you have a common protocol between the two
computers. If you are just going to be sharing files with the host
and not going to be accessing any network resourced beyond the host
computer, I recommend using NetBEUI. To check, go to Control
Panel->Network. NetBEUI should be on the list of Network Components
Installed. If not, click Add->protocol and under Microsoft select
the NetBEUI protocol.
Windows should automatically bind the protocol to the
dial-up adapter but to check go to Control Panel->Network and double
click on the dial-up network adapter. Select the Bindings tab and
make sure the NetBEUI check box it checked.
If you are connecting through one of your serial ports or
com ports, be sure you have a serial, null modem, RS232 cable. Or
get a serial RS232 cable and a null modem which will plug into the
cable. Check both of the computers Com port speeds and make sure
they are on the same settings. Check it through Control
Panel->System. Choose the Device Manager Tab and Click the '+'
sign next to ports and double click the port you want to check.
Under the Port Settings you can check the set up of the port.
If you are connecting through your Parallel port or the
port where you usually connect your printer, you may want to verify the
cable. Windows supports three types of parallel cables for Direct
Connections: Standard or Basic 4-bit cable, ECP cable, and UCM
cable. Another thing to check is the setting on your parallel
port. Get into both computers BIOS and make sure that both computers
parallel ports are set to the same settings. To get into the BIOS
you usually press the Delete key or the F2 key as the computer boots.
