Computer2 is not accessible.

[Curt]

I get the following message when trying to access Computer 2 from any of the
other computers on a small home network,
"Computer2 is not accessible. You might not have permissions to use this
network resource. Contact the administrator of
this server to find out if you have access permissions." I can ping
computer2 OK and see it in Network Places.
Any suggestions appreciated, Curt

 

[Chuck]

I get the following message when trying to access Computer 2 from any of the
other computers on a small home network,
"Computer2 is not accessible. You might not have permissions to use this
network resource. Contact the administrator of
this server to find out if you have access permissions." I can ping
computer2 OK and see it in Network Places.
Any suggestions appreciated, Curt

Curt,

Start by looking at the firewall on Computer2, and make sure that it's setup for
file sharing.

If that doesn't help, provide ipconfig information for Computer2, and for at
least two of the otherwise working computers.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "ipconfig /all >c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command
window - Open c:\ipconfig.txt in Notepad, make sure that Format - Word Wrap is
NOT checked!, copy and paste entire contents into your next post. Identify
operating system (by name, version, and SP level) with each ipconfig listing.

Next, look at the browser situation on your LAN (I'm not talking about Internet
Explorer here).

The Microsoft Browstat program will show us what browsers (I'm not talking about
Internet Explorer here) you have in your domain / workgroup, at any time.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305

You can download Browstat from either:
<http://www.dynawell.com/reskit/microsoft/win2000/browstat.zip>
<http://rescomp.stanford.edu/staff/manual/rcc/tools/browstat.zip>

Browstat is very small (40K), and needs no install. Just unzip the downloaded
file, copy browstat.exe to any folder in the Path, and run it from a command
window, by "browstat status". Make sure all computers give the same result.

For more information about the browser subsystem (very intricate), see:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188001
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx>

Provide browstat information for each computer that you provided ipconfig for.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "browstat status >c:\browstat.txt" into the command
window - Open c:\browstat.txt in Notepad, make sure that Format - Word Wrap is
NOT checked!, copy and paste into your next post. Identify each computer by
name and operating system.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[jel183\(UK\)]

Have you 'Shared' any files or drives on Computer2 ? if you havn't then
there is nothing for the others to access

 

[Curt]

Have you 'Shared' any files or drives on Computer2 ? if you havn't then
there is nothing for the others to access

All file sharing is enabled including on firewall.

 

[jel183\(UK\)]

From any of the other PC's try adding a network place that's on Computer2 ie
one of the files you have set as shared... \\Computer2\<filename> then see
if you can access it.

 

[Carey Holzman]

www.careyholzman.com/net1.htm

Carey

 

[Curt]

Yes I can access the files that way but doesn't explain why it won't work
accessing computer2 via workgroup. Wonder where one enables admin
permission?

 

[Chuck]

Yes I can access the files that way but doesn't explain why it won't work
accessing computer2 via workgroup. Wonder where one enables admin
permission?

Curt,

If you can access a computer, but can't see it in Network Neighborhood, you
probably have a browser problem. See my other post.

The browser requires anonymous access, so look at registry key
[HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa], value restrictanonymous.
<http://www.microsoft.com/windows200...2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/regentry/46688.asp>
<http://www.jsifaq.com/subf/tip2600/rh2625.htm>
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=246261
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=296403

The above articles refer to Windows 2000. Remember WinXP is NT V5.1, and Win2K
is NT V5.0.

Have you used the Registry Editor before? If not, it's a scary tool, but it's
pretty simple once you get used to it. Here are a couple articles that might
help:
<http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...home/using/productdoc/en/tools_regeditors.asp>
<http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/registry>

Just remember to backup the key (create a registry patch) for
[HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa] before making any changes, if
appropriate.

From the Annoyances article:
You can create a Registry patch by opening the Registry Editor, selecting a
branch, and choosing Export from the File menu. Then, specify a filename, and
press OK. You can then view the Registry patch file by opening it in Notepad
(right-click on it and select Edit). Again, just double-click on a Registry
patch file (or use Import in the Registry Editor's File menu) to apply it to the
registry.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[Curt]

Chuck,
I can see Computer2 in Network Neighborhood but when I click on it I get the
no access message.
I have looked at the browstat txt for all 3 computers as well as ipconfig
and can find nothing suspicious.
Curt

Yes I can access the files that way but doesn't explain why it won't work
accessing computer2 via workgroup. Wonder where one enables admin
permission?

Curt,

If you can access a computer, but can't see it in Network Neighborhood,
you
probably have a browser problem. See my other post.

The browser requires anonymous access, so look at registry key
[HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa], value restrictanonymous.
<http://www.microsoft.com/windows200...2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/regentry/46688.asp>
<http://www.jsifaq.com/subf/tip2600/rh2625.htm>
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=246261
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=296403

The above articles refer to Windows 2000. Remember WinXP is NT V5.1, and
Win2K
is NT V5.0.

Have you used the Registry Editor before? If not, it's a scary tool, but
it's
pretty simple once you get used to it. Here are a couple articles that
might
help:
<http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...home/using/productdoc/en/tools_regeditors.asp>
<http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/registry>

Just remember to backup the key (create a registry patch) for
[HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa] before making any changes, if
appropriate.

From the Annoyances article:
You can create a Registry patch by opening the Registry Editor, selecting
a
branch, and choosing Export from the File menu. Then, specify a filename,
and
press OK. You can then view the Registry patch file by opening it in
Notepad
(right-click on it and select Edit). Again, just double-click on a
Registry
patch file (or use Import in the Registry Editor's File menu) to apply it
to the
registry.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[Chuck]

Chuck,
I can see Computer2 in Network Neighborhood but when I click on it I get the
no access message.
I have looked at the browstat txt for all 3 computers as well as ipconfig
and can find nothing suspicious.
Curt

Curt,

If there are no network setup problems (per the IPConfigs) or browser problems
(per the Browstats), then you need to check authentication / authorisation. Are
your computers running XP Home, XP Pro, a mixture, other OSs? This will make a
difference. All of this affects the use and settings for Simple File Sharing,
and for Network Access Sharing and security model.

Also check the presence, and configuration, of any personal firewalls.

On any XP Pro computer, check to see if Simple File Sharing (Control Panel -
Folder Options - View - Advanced settings) is enabled or disabled. With XP Pro,
you need to have SFS properly set on each computer.

On XP Pro with SFS disabled, check the Local Security Policies (Control Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to "Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

On XP Pro with SFS disabled, if you set the above Local Security Policy to
"Guest only", enable the Guest account, using Start - Run - "cmd" - type "net
user guest /active:yes" in the command window. If "Classic", setup and use a
common non-Guest account on all computers. Whichever account is used, give it
an identical, non-blank password on all computers.

On XP Home, and on XP Pro with Simple File Sharing enabled, make sure that the
Guest account is enabled, on each computer. Enable Guest, with Start - Run -
"cmd", then type "net user guest /active:yes" in the command window. Ensure
that the password for Guest is blank, with Start - Run - "control
userpasswords2"; select Guest, click Reset Password, click OK without entering a
new password.

On XP Pro, if you're going to use Guest authentication, check your Local
Security Policy (Control Panel - Administrative Tools) - User Rights Assignment,
on the XP Pro computer, and look at "Deny access to this computer from the
network". Make sure Guest is not in the list. Look at "Access this computer
from the network", and make sure that Everyone is in this list.

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF / WF, or third party)? If
so, you need to configure them for file sharing. Firewall configurations are a
very common cause of (network) browser, and file sharing, problems.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[Curt]

Curt,

If there are no network setup problems (per the IPConfigs) or browser
problems
(per the Browstats), then you need to check authentication /
authorisation. Are
your computers running XP Home, XP Pro, a mixture, other OSs? This will
make a
difference. All of this affects the use and settings for Simple File
Sharing,
and for Network Access Sharing and security model.

Also check the presence, and configuration, of any personal firewalls.

On any XP Pro computer, check to see if Simple File Sharing (Control
Panel -
Folder Options - View - Advanced settings) is enabled or disabled. With
XP Pro,
you need to have SFS properly set on each computer.

On XP Pro with SFS disabled, check the Local Security Policies (Control
Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to
"Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

On XP Pro with SFS disabled, if you set the above Local Security Policy to
"Guest only", enable the Guest account, using Start - Run - "cmd" - type
"net
user guest /active:yes" in the command window. If "Classic", setup and
use a
common non-Guest account on all computers. Whichever account is used,
give it
an identical, non-blank password on all computers.

On XP Home, and on XP Pro with Simple File Sharing enabled, make sure that
the
Guest account is enabled, on each computer. Enable Guest, with Start -
Run -
"cmd", then type "net user guest /active:yes" in the command window.
Ensure
that the password for Guest is blank, with Start - Run - "control
userpasswords2"; select Guest, click Reset Password, click OK without
entering a
new password.

On XP Pro, if you're going to use Guest authentication, check your Local
Security Policy (Control Panel - Administrative Tools) - User Rights
Assignment,
on the XP Pro computer, and look at "Deny access to this computer from the
network". Make sure Guest is not in the list. Look at "Access this
computer
from the network", and make sure that Everyone is in this list.

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF / WF, or third
party)? If
so, you need to configure them for file sharing. Firewall configurations
are a
very common cause of (network) browser, and file sharing, problems.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

Hi Chuck, your list checked out OK. SFS is enabled as well as file sharing
on WF. BTW the OS is XP-Pro SP2. I might add also that this has been a
working network and I am still able to access the Internet normally from
computer2.
Another post of yours has got me wondering about malware. Ad-aware and
Spybot both have removed some nasties from Computer2 which I guess could
have included infected files as well. I wouldn't think it would be Winsock
damage though as I said I have no problem getting on line. Any ideas here?
Curt

 

[Chuck]

Hi Chuck, your list checked out OK. SFS is enabled as well as file sharing
on WF. BTW the OS is XP-Pro SP2. I might add also that this has been a
working network and I am still able to access the Internet normally from
computer2.
Another post of yours has got me wondering about malware. Ad-aware and
Spybot both have removed some nasties from Computer2 which I guess could
have included infected files as well. I wouldn't think it would be Winsock
damage though as I said I have no problem getting on line. Any ideas here?
Curt

Curt,

Winsock corruption has been known to manifest itself in mysterious ways. If
this problem was preceded by a spyware removal, it is a possibility. It is
never a bad idea to have the Winsock repair tools available (they are free), and
you have nothing to lose but a couple minutes time, so try Winsock repairs
please.

If this is XP Pro with SFS enabled, is the Guest account (with identical
passwords everywhere) enabled, and Local Security Policies set properly?

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[Curt]

Chuck,
Still no luck:-( Computer2 has been on this network for over 2 years and I
have
never changed any setting so it doesn't surprise me
that all settings
check OK. I did the Winsock repair, reset TCP, and
rechecked
the Guest accounts. Curt

Curt,

Winsock corruption has been known to manifest itself in mysterious ways.
If
this problem was preceded by a spyware removal, it is a possibility. It
is
never a bad idea to have the Winsock repair tools available (they are
free), and
you have nothing to lose but a couple minutes time, so try Winsock repairs
please.

Did this.

 

[Chuck]

Chuck,
Still no luck:-( Computer2 has been on this network for over 2 years and I
have
never changed any setting so it doesn't surprise me
that all settings
check OK. I did the Winsock repair, reset TCP, and
rechecked
the Guest accounts. Curt

Curt,

Do all computers have the same problem?

Are we maybe looking at a name resolution problem? Let's try diagnosing what
the problem is. Please provide ipconfig information for each computer.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "ipconfig /all >c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command
window - Open c:\ipconfig.txt in Notepad, make sure that Format - Word Wrap is
NOT checked!, copy and paste entire contents into your next post. Identify
operating system (by name, version, and SP level) with each ipconfig listing.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[Curt]

Do all computers have the same problem?

NO, only computer2 has a problem.

Are we maybe looking at a name resolution problem? Let's try diagnosing
what
the problem is. Please provide ipconfig information for each computer.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "ipconfig /all >c:\ipconfig.txt" into the
command
window - Open c:\ipconfig.txt in Notepad, make sure that Format - Word
Wrap is
NOT checked!, copy and paste entire contents into your next post.
Identify
operating system (by name, version, and SP level) with each ipconfig
listing.

The ipconfig is the same for all 3 computers except for their respective
Nic Physical Address and IP Addresses which are 192.168.1.100,
101 and 102 as assigned by the Linksys befsr41 router.

Chuck, I may have not have mentioned that by adding network
places(recommended by jel183) such as \\computer2\d I can access shared
drive D on computer2 and copy file from there. This is not a really good
solution in itself as the desired network places would have to be added to
all the computers. It should however eliminate settings as being the
problem.

 

[Curt]

Chuck, my mistake there is an error in the browstat sta
for computer2. here is txt:

Status for domain CDR on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{DA173154-4DB0-4328-B46D-3F920BC7A94A}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: XPER
Could not open key in registry, error = 5 Unable to determine build
of browser master: 5
\\\\XPER . Version:05.01 Flags: 51003 NT POTENTIAL MASTER
1 backup servers retrieved from master XPER
\\XPER
There are 3 servers in domain CDR on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{DA173154-4DB0-4328-B46D-3F920BC7A94A}
There are 1 domains in domain CDR on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{DA173154-4DB0-4328-B46D-3F920BC7A94A}

The two lines after, Master browser name is: XPER are not in the sta for the
other 2 computers.

Does the error tell you anything? Curt

 

[Chuck]

Chuck, my mistake there is an error in the browstat sta
for computer2. here is txt:

Status for domain CDR on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{DA173154-4DB0-4328-B46D-3F920BC7A94A}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: XPER
Could not open key in registry, error = 5 Unable to determine build
of browser master: 5
\\\\XPER . Version:05.01 Flags: 51003 NT POTENTIAL MASTER
1 backup servers retrieved from master XPER
\\XPER
There are 3 servers in domain CDR on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{DA173154-4DB0-4328-B46D-3F920BC7A94A}
There are 1 domains in domain CDR on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{DA173154-4DB0-4328-B46D-3F920BC7A94A}

The two lines after, Master browser name is: XPER are not in the sta for the
other 2 computers.

Does the error tell you anything? Curt

Curt,

An Error 5 is "Access denied". You have to have administrative access to the
master browser, to get full Browstat output. So the account that you're running
on Computer2 doesn't have administrative access to XPER.

You have to DISABLE Simple File Sharing to get administrative access. SFS uses
the Guest account for everything. If you want administrative access, you have
to DISABLE SFS, set the LSP to Classic, and use a common non-Guest account (with
identical non-blank password), which has administrative authority, on all
computers.

If that doesn't help, attach IPConfig and Browstat for each computer, and let's
analyse your problems systematically.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.