can't access comps on network with \\COMPNAME

so i got a laptop and a desktop, both running XP Pro. we're on the same workgroup, the desktop is wired to the router and the laptop's wireless. both devices can communicate with each other fine, but to access shared files i have to explore to one comp using \\IPADDRESS instead of \\COMPNAME. for some reason it just wont work using the compname. an error message will pop saying the computer \\COMPNAME could not be found or something like that, which is highly annoying. any fix for this?

using Linksys Wireless G router if that's any concern to anyone


thanks!

Have you got NetBIOS enabled on both computers?

i do have netbios on both, and ive checked the name settings on em. still cant access thru \\compname. i went to View Workgroup Computers to see the comps and on the laptop i can only see the laptop itself, but on the desktop i can see both comps. on the desktop i tried to access the laptop thru Workgroup Computers but i was denied access. im not sure why that is. i dont password-protect my comp, and Guest account is enabled as seen in Computer Management

What sometimes helps is if you use accounts with a password. Then make sure that on both computers, you're using accounts with exactly the same username/password. This may help to solve the \\computername problem too, although I'm not sure.

this is very frustrating...