home network problem?

Question

i had 2 units of pc which is both had windows xp pro sp2, trying to make home network. but the thing is I failed to do so.
I set the computer name on each pc, had the same workgroup name, and had set ip addresses.
When I try to browse the network neighborhood i cannot see the other computer or even myself. I try pinging the ip addresses, but it is unreachable host destination. I am pretty sure that my both computers are working well. cause I tried it on the other network with internet connection with DHCP enabled.
the problem only exist when my 2 computers are connected with specified ip address.
moreover, i am using 3com switch.
can anyone help me, give me ideas what's really going on and to solve it? thank you in advance.

Answer 1

When you "set the ip addresses" were they in the same IP range with different ending numbers? 192.168.1.2 and the other 192.168.1.3 They have to have a different ending numbers or it wont work.
You also have to enable file and printer sharing and share a folder on each one.

If you can not ping your own address like 192.168.1.2 (if that is the machine you are using) then the ethernet adapter is not working with the current settings.. so recheck the IP settings and be sure IP and Subnetmask are set.

Answer 2

Have you entered the IP addresses into the HOSTS file of each computer? If you're not using a DHCP server, you need to assign the IP addresses manually.

Have you enabled file and printer sharing on each computer?