Windows File Sharing Sucks, Set up a VPN or Server?

[Fluxburn]

I am pretty tired of my little windows network acting up. It consists of this

a 2Wire 1000SW Dsl router connected to SBC that connects to a Dlink 514 rev c router that is configured as a switch, that then connects to 2 computers and a xbox 360 via the Dlink Lan, and my laptop is connected to the 2Wire 1000SW, wirelessly.

All have internet connection established, I even have the firewalls all up and configured properly for torrent distribution. The thing that drives me nuts is File Sharing and the Printer.

The printer is connected to a desktop that is connected via the LAN, Via the Dlink 514 rev c switch. It always works on the desktops, via the lan, but the wireless network occasionally doesn't allow printing. I can normally fix it by reinstalling the network protocols on the laptop, but it is unpredictable and highly annoying.

The next super annoying thing is the File sharing between the Laptop and one of the Desktops. I have file sharing enabled for both, only for the Shared Files folder under the root of my computer, or C:\documents and settings\username\shared files Occasionally this doesn't work, and I email a simple document from the laptop to the desktop so I can print it. I should just be able to print from the laptop.

Summary: I find windows networking, Shared Files and Print Server within XP highly unpredictable, unreliable and highly annoying. Is their a specific way to set up windows to always work with my laptop on this network.

Thank You

[dark_15]

What's the exact model number on the Dlink Router? I cnanot seem to find it on the DLink support site. Also, is that DLink router wireless? If so, I would set the 2Wire modem into Bridge Mode, and have the DLink provide all the routing capabilities.

[nd4spdbh2]

i would get rid of the dlink... the three that i have are more useless than a paperweight... they still work but they all are crap.. get a linksys and use it for all routing purposes.

Also windows firewall doesnt allow file sharing or it messes it all up so turn that thing off.

[Fluxburn]

True, the Dlink 514 is about the crappest router in the world. The MAC addresses stack and eventually you have to restart the unit or else it locks. The router serves much better as a switch then a router.

You guys must have missed the the 2Wire 1000SW is the Router, but it just has wireless and one ethernet port, so I connected the ethernet port to the Dlink 514, but am just using the dlink as a switch, no routing enabled.

The 2Wire lacks a setup like the Dlink as it came stock with Yahoo Sbc internet access, and thus isn't really a "router," in terms of nerd land. Well I guess the problem is the ****ty router and not windows xp? That is what I am getting out of this entire process.

[gearhead1972]

its not windows, I have my laptop and my girlfriends kids laptop in the kitchen down stairs, the wired computers are upstairs with the router and we print to the printer on one of those wired machines daily.