Shared Folder - Computer Name Fails

[xtremeIX]

I have a Belkin +n Wireless router hardlined to a desktop running Windows Vista Business x64. I also have a Dell Inspiron laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium that has a wireless connection 802.11g. I was able to get my XBOX setup to stream from the desktop PC, and I was able to get print sharing setup from the desktop PC.

However, I'm having problems sharing folders from the desktop PC to the laptop. On my laptop I have the following share:

\\HomePC\Public

HomePC is the name of my desktop PC. When I initially setup the shared folder it works great. From the laptop I can connect to the desktop PC public folder no problem. However, after about 1 to 2 hours I try to open the share and it no longer works but, it will still work if I type:

\\192.168.2.2\Public

Why is the ComputerName failing??

 

[Ashvin Busviah]

You might need to change your computer name to something else and see.. getting the Ip address means that there is no connection problems.. try that and let me know the outcome.. might make you run a diagnose tool to identify the issue else..

 

[xtremeIX]

I changed the ComputerName of my desktop PC from HomePC to xtremeIXPC and attempted to access the shared folder using \\xtremeIXPC\Pubic after restarting the desktop PC and waiting about 5 hours; the problem still exists. I also discovered when I access the shared folder using the IP address \\192.168.2.2\Public I can then, after accessing it using the IP address, use the \\xtremeIXPC\Public to access the shared folder.

I checked my event logs and there are no errors there; still completely in the dark on this one and it's frustrating because I'm OCD and like to have everything working correctly...lol.

 

[Ed Canuck]

Just guessing because I haven't come across this one before and it doesn't make too much sense, but...

1. Do you have the same Workgroup name on both machines?
2. Do you have your user ID set up the same on both machines?

It ain't supposed to make a difference, but this is Windows.

Ed

 

[xtremeIX]

I'll check the workgroup and make sure it's the same on both PC's but, having the UserID on both PC's doesn't make a difference; I can see the folder share unless I step away from the laptop for an extended period of time so I don't see it as a permissions problem if that's what your thinking.

 

[Ed Canuck]

Just curious. On your desktop, if you open Windows Explorer, navigate to the Network, click on your desktop PC's name, right-click on the Public folder, click on the Sharing tab, what does it show as the Network Path?

Ed