XP Wireless Network Nightmare

Hi all. I'm using a desktop XP PC that accesses the internet wirelessly, this machine is attached to a network printer, also wireless. The name of the workgroup for this PC is MSHOME and its name on the Network is DESKTOP. In addition, I have networked a VISTA laptop which works perfectly, prints, talks to the Desktop etc; the Laptop is called THE MAPLES (the name of my house). I am now trying to add my daughters' XP netbooks to the network using the XP wizard on the Desktop. When I run the wizard and put a USB stick in I'm asked if I want to add a computer to THE MAPLES. I tranfer the USB stick to each netbook and they are added to the THE MAPLES. Essentially, I have a Desktop called MSHOME and three laptops called THE MAPLES. In short, the netbooks cannot communicate with the Desktop. I have changed the name of the Netbooks to MSHOME to match the Desktop but nothing works! All four machines run Kaspersky Internet Security.

HI Scargman. Welcome to WhatTheTech. All computers need to be on the same workgroup. Each computer needs to have a unique name. You did not mention what you are trying to accomplish by connecting your computer together? Kaspersky Internet Security would be the prime culprit in any networked environment if other basic settings are correct. Adjust the kaspersky settings to disable the firewall on all the machines until you get them running properly. Then you can turn the firewall on and mess with it once you know everything else is working. I assue you that you will probably have to "fix" settings in kaspersky to make your home network work properly.

Thanks so much. I adjusted the network settings to "Local" and hey presto!