File sharing fails

[Windyweather]

Two systems on a network:
Desktop - win xp media edition, SP3
Laptop - win xp home, sp3

Unable to file share. Shares created on both systems. Sharing looking into
laptop from desktop works often. Sharing looking into desktop from laptop
almost never. Browsing network takes a very very long time - several minutes,
and usually fails with "You do not have access bla bla bla". Desktop looking
into laptop takes a very long time and then often works.

Both systems have enabled guest account. Password removed from guest account
on both systems. Both systems have guest account enabled via "Net user guest
yes" command.

both systems have static IP addresses. Both systems can ping each other
reliably. Both systems have HOST file containing address of the other system.

both systems have WINS address in IP advanced config pointing to the DESKTOP.

How can I diagnose this?
Any ideas about what the problem is?

- thanks
ww

 

[John Wunderlich]

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Two systems on a network:
Desktop - win xp media edition, SP3
Laptop - win xp home, sp3

Unable to file share. Shares created on both systems. Sharing
looking into laptop from desktop works often.

This is probably because laptop is XP Home and forces use of Simple
File Sharing allowing access only through Guest account.

Sharing looking into desktop from laptop almost never.

If desktop has disabled Simple File Sharing, then access is through
username and password. Make sure you have identical username/password
combinations on both machines or verify that Simple File Sharing is
enabled on the Desktop

Browsing network takes a very very long time - several minutes,
and usually fails with "You do not have access bla bla bla".

This sounds like a Master Browser problem. This is usually caused by a
firewall on at least one machine that is blocking NetBT protocol and
prevents the election of a Browse Master. It might also block the
laptop from gaining access to the desktop. If using only Windows
Firewall, go to the control panel -> Windows Firewall and verify that
there is a check beside "File and Printer Sharing" under the
"Exceptions" tab.

Desktop looking into laptop takes a very long time and then often
works.

As above.

Both systems have enabled guest account. Password removed from
guest account on both systems. Both systems have guest account
enabled via "Net user guest yes" command.

both systems have static IP addresses. Both systems can ping each
other reliably. Both systems have HOST file containing address of
the other system.

In this case, it would be more helpful to have entries in the LMHOSTS
file. LMHOSTS is used by Windows Networking, HOSTS is used by TCP/IP.
As a last resort, Windows networking will consult HOSTS, but it's best
to use LMHOSTS for its intended purpose.

both systems have WINS address in IP advanced config pointing to
the DESKTOP.

Is the Desktop running a WINS Server? A WINS server is unnecessary if
all machines are on the same subnet. If using a single subnet, leave
the WINS server configuration blank.

Also run the "ipconfig" command from a command window and verify that
the Node type is *not* P-type (Peer-to-Peer type). If so, it will
require a working WINS server.

HTH,
-- John