Please help: home LAN pcs won't recognize each other

[mushpuppy]

I had a home LAN that worked, but recently I upgraded my motherboard and cpu on one of the machines, which then required me to re-install XP (NOT a clean install). Now I can't get the machines to see each other even though I've used Network Wizard, have searched for new connections, used the same workgroup name on each, and so on.

I could use a step-by-step guide to get this LAN working again. I've googled assorted phrases, but so far no site has helped.

One machine uses XP home (the re-installed one) and the other machine uses XP Pro (updated from Win98).

The LAN uses a linksys router.

Both machines can reach the Internet; they just can't see each other. I've made sure to disable the zonealarm firewall (even though the LAN worked through it before).

So it seems to me my settings got flummoxed somehow.

I wouldn't mind even paying for this help, if I could find a reputable person who could walk me through it over the phone. At any rate, I'd appreciate any help you guys could provide. This is a great site and I've found lots of useful information here.

Cheers/regards and thank you in advance.

 

[Wik]

can you ping each computer?

File shares turned on?

Go to the run command and \\computername of the network share you are trying to reach

 

[JackMDS]

May be this can Help: http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

:sun:

 

[mushpuppy]

Wik--

Thank you for replying. My fault for not being clearer: when I said the machines couldn't see each other, I meant in any form, including ping. And I tried using \\computername: it didn't work.

Jack--

Thank you for the link. I'll try it when I get home!

I think maybe part of what it says may be accurate: the registry settings may be conflicting. Also I'm not entirely sure NetBEUI is installed on either/both; I'll have to get to the machines and see. Theoretically, I understand, each machine should have the same drivers/protocols installed. I'm just terrified to screw up my Internet connection on either.

 

[mushpuppy]

Jack--

Thank you tons! The ezlan link was terrific--especially the part about installing NetBEUI. I followed the instructions, and suddenly the machines can see each other again! Thank you so much.