Can't Access Shared Docs and Printers on Network

[mjb]

I have three computers on a wireless network, two of the computers can see
all three computers shared docs and shared printers, but one of the two
wireless computers is able to access the internet but cant see the other two
computers shared docs folders or shared printers. When trying to view the
network on this computer from "my network places" I can work my way down
from "Entire Network", to "Microsoft Windows Network" and "Mshome" but I can't
go any further. On the other two computers after "Mshome" I can view all
three computers shared docs and shared printers. I would like to access the
shared docs and printers on this computer from the other two computers on
the network but for some reason I can't. Any ideas on how to resolve this?



Thanks



MB

 

[Malke]

I have three computers on a wireless network, two of the computers can
see all three computers shared docs and shared printers, but one of
the two wireless computers is able to access the internet but cant see
the other two
computers shared docs folders or shared printers. When trying to view
the network on this computer from "my network places" I can work my
way down from "Entire Network", to "Microsoft Windows Network" and
"Mshome" but I can't
go any further. On the other two computers after "Mshome" I can view
all
three computers shared docs and shared printers. I would like to
access the shared docs and printers on this computer from the other
two computers on
the network but for some reason I can't. Any ideas on how to resolve
this?

This is most commonly caused by a misconfigured firewall. Run the
Network Setup Wizard on all computers, making sure to enable File &
Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is that this will turn
on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party
firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like
Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. If you have
third-party firewall software, configure it to allow the Local Area
Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my firewalls with an
IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would
substitute your correct subnet.

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center:

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
Simple File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it
matters in your situation.

Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
Shared Documents folder.

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke

 

[mjb]

Thanks but I have already worked through these steps. If you have any other
ideas please let me know.

Thanks,

MB

 

[Malke]

Thanks but I have already worked through these steps. If you have any
other ideas please let me know.

Nope. Sorry. If you've already gone through Mr. Michna's troubleshooter
and haven't been able to find what you're doing wrong - and you've
obviously got something set wrong - then have a professional come
on-site and fix it for you. Good luck.

Malke

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have three computers on a wireless network, two of the computers can see
all three computers shared docs and shared printers, but one of the two
wireless computers is able to access the internet but cant see the other two
computers shared docs folders or shared printers. When trying to view the
network on this computer from "my network places" I can work my way down
from "Entire Network", to "Microsoft Windows Network" and "Mshome" but I can't
go any further. On the other two computers after "Mshome" I can view all
three computers shared docs and shared printers. I would like to access the
shared docs and printers on this computer from the other two computers on
the network but for some reason I can't. Any ideas on how to resolve this?

Thanks

MB

Make sure that:

1. A firewall isn't blocking network access.

2. NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled:

a. Open the Network Connections folder.
b. Right click the local area network connection.
c. Click Properties.
d. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
e. Click Properties.
f. Click Advanced.
g. Click WINS.
h. Click the Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP button.

3. The registry entry that allows browsing other computers has the
right value. Run the registry editor (Start > Run > regedit) and open
this key:

HLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\LSA

If the value of RestrictAnonymous isn't 0, set it to 0 and reboot.

4. The LAN connection properties (Step 2c above) show that these
network components are enabled: Client for Microsoft Networks, File
and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks.

In my experience (and as shown by thousands of messages in this
newsgroup), network browsing in Windows XP is unreliable -- so
unreliable that I recommend not using it all. You can spend a lot of
time troubleshooting and trying to fix it, but I don't think it's
worthwhile.

Instead, try accessing another computer directly, by typing the other
computer's name in the Start > Run box preceded by two backslash
characters::

\\computer

That should open a window showing the other computer's shared folders
and printers.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[mjb]

That did the trick. Thanks for the help!

MB

Make sure that:

1. A firewall isn't blocking network access.

2. NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled:

a. Open the Network Connections folder.
b. Right click the local area network connection.
c. Click Properties.
d. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
e. Click Properties.
f. Click Advanced.
g. Click WINS.
h. Click the Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP button.

3. The registry entry that allows browsing other computers has the
right value. Run the registry editor (Start > Run > regedit) and open
this key:

HLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\LSA

If the value of RestrictAnonymous isn't 0, set it to 0 and reboot.

4. The LAN connection properties (Step 2c above) show that these
network components are enabled: Client for Microsoft Networks, File
and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks.

In my experience (and as shown by thousands of messages in this
newsgroup), network browsing in Windows XP is unreliable -- so
unreliable that I recommend not using it all. You can spend a lot of
time troubleshooting and trying to fix it, but I don't think it's
worthwhile.

Instead, try accessing another computer directly, by typing the other
computer's name in the Start > Run box preceded by two backslash
characters::

\\computer

That should open a window showing the other computer's shared folders
and printers.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

That did the trick. Thanks for the help!

MB

You're welcome. Can you say which of my four suggestions did it?
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com