network asks for password

[richardconers]

I have two desktops each running Windows XP. They each have a 3com
network card and they are connected to a switch (3com OfficeConnect
switch) and connect through ethernet cables. I have disabled
firewalls, anti virus etc.
There is also a DSL cable connected to the switch and both computers
can access the DSL modem/internet.

Each computer shows a IP address starting with 169. which I was told
is bad (though I'm not sure why). Anyway I have run the network setup
wizard zillions of times. Each of the computers shows itself under My
Network Places but originally neither even showed the other computer
under my network places/workgroup. Both computers successfully pinged
the other computer. A Dell tech had me set up a guest account using
dos code of net user guest /active yes

Now both computers show up under my network places, and I can access
the computer itself over the network. But I still can't access the
other computer over the network. When I double click on the other
computer under my network places, I get a message box that asks for a
password (but I never set up a password). Also it shows in the
middle, grayed-out a box to check for user name, it shows the name of
the other computer/guest with a drop down box, all of which is grayed
out.

When I click OK plus not inserting a password, it just comes back with
the same box asking for a password. Also, when I right click on the
other computer and choose properties, I get an error message saying I
don't have access to these resources and that I must consult the
system administrator (that's me, I guess) or my ISP.

Is there anything I can do to get these machines to network? Or
should I set up cans with a string to connect them (sigh)?

Thank you very much!!!!!

 

[Guest]

Make the password and user name the same on both computers and open up port
110 or disable firewall

 

[Chuck]

I have two desktops each running Windows XP. They each have a 3com
network card and they are connected to a switch (3com OfficeConnect
switch) and connect through ethernet cables. I have disabled
firewalls, anti virus etc.
There is also a DSL cable connected to the switch and both computers
can access the DSL modem/internet.

Each computer shows a IP address starting with 169. which I was told
is bad (though I'm not sure why). Anyway I have run the network setup
wizard zillions of times. Each of the computers shows itself under My
Network Places but originally neither even showed the other computer
under my network places/workgroup. Both computers successfully pinged
the other computer. A Dell tech had me set up a guest account using
dos code of net user guest /active yes

Now both computers show up under my network places, and I can access
the computer itself over the network. But I still can't access the
other computer over the network. When I double click on the other
computer under my network places, I get a message box that asks for a
password (but I never set up a password). Also it shows in the
middle, grayed-out a box to check for user name, it shows the name of
the other computer/guest with a drop down box, all of which is grayed
out.

When I click OK plus not inserting a password, it just comes back with
the same box asking for a password. Also, when I right click on the
other computer and choose properties, I get an error message saying I
don't have access to these resources and that I must consult the
system administrator (that's me, I guess) or my ISP.

Is there anything I can do to get these machines to network? Or
should I set up cans with a string to connect them (sigh)?

Thank you very much!!!!!

Richard,

The 169.x.x.x addresses are assigned by APIPA, since the computers are set for
automatic address assignment (requiring a DHCP server that you don't have).
APIPA assigns compatible addresses, which apparently is successful cause you can
ping each from the other.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=220874

Accessing shared data across the network requires setting up accounts for
sharing. How you setup access depends upon whether you have Windows XP Home or
Pro. But you CAN do better than cans with a string. ;-)

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.

With XP Pro, if SFS is disabled, check the Local Security Policy (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".

With XP Pro, 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.

For XP Home, OR for XP Pro with Simple File Sharing enabled, make sure that the
Guest account is enabled, on each computer. Enable Guest with Start - Run -
"cmd" - type "net user guest /active:yes" in the command window.

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF / WF, or third party)? If
so, you need to configure them for file sharing, by opening ports TCP 139, 445
and UDP 137, 138, 445, by enabling the File and Printer Sharing exception, and /
or by identifying the other computers as present in the Local (Trusted) zone.
Firewall configurations are a very common cause of (network) browser, and file
sharing, problems.

If any of the above needs clarification, please post back. What you're doing is
doable, and is a lot simpler than it looks. Help is here.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

The 169.x.x.x addresses are assigned by APIPA

Chuck,

just a little remark. That's not perfectly true, since only
169.254.x.y addresses are APIPA (Automatic Private IP Address).
There are many other 169... addresses that aren't.

It is a pity that the original asker didn't cite the complete IP
address, because then we would know.

Hans-Georg

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have two desktops each running Windows XP. They each have a 3com
network card and they are connected to a switch (3com OfficeConnect
switch) and connect through ethernet cables. I have disabled
firewalls, anti virus etc.
There is also a DSL cable connected to the switch and both computers
can access the DSL modem/internet.

Each computer shows a IP address starting with 169. which I was told
is bad (though I'm not sure why). Anyway I have run the network setup
wizard zillions of times. Each of the computers shows itself under My
Network Places but originally neither even showed the other computer
under my network places/workgroup. Both computers successfully pinged
the other computer. A Dell tech had me set up a guest account using
dos code of net user guest /active yes

Now both computers show up under my network places, and I can access
the computer itself over the network. But I still can't access the
other computer over the network. When I double click on the other
computer under my network places, I get a message box that asks for a
password (but I never set up a password). Also it shows in the
middle, grayed-out a box to check for user name, it shows the name of
the other computer/guest with a drop down box, all of which is grayed
out.

When I click OK plus not inserting a password, it just comes back with
the same box asking for a password. Also, when I right click on the
other computer and choose properties, I get an error message saying I
don't have access to these resources and that I must consult the
system administrator (that's me, I guess) or my ISP.

Is there anything I can do to get these machines to network? Or
should I set up cans with a string to connect them (sigh)?

Thank you very much!!!!!

Make sure that there's no network password for the Guest account. On
each computer:

1. Click Start | Run.
2. Type "control userpasswords2" in the box and click OK:
3. Click Guest.
4. Click Reset Password.
5. Click OK without entering a new password.

Remove any stored network passwords. On each computer:

1. Click Control Panel | User Accounts.
2. Click your user account.
3. Click "Manage my network passwords".
4. If the other computer appears in the list, click it and
click Remove.

Every computer that's connected to the Internet MUST have a firewall
to keep out Internet hackers. A computer without a firewall WILL be
hacked in a short time.

Does each computer's DSL connection use PPPoE (PPP over Ethernet)? If
there's a PPPoE or Broadband connection in the Network Connections
folder, it does. In that case, enable XP's built-in firewall on the
Broadband connection, and don't enable it on the Local Area
Connection. The Local Area Connection probably has an IP address of
169.254.x.x, which is OK.

If the DSL connection doesn't use PPPoE, your computers might need an
entirely different network setup than they now have. That's the case
if both of these are true:

1. There's no PPPoE or Broadband connection -- only a Local Area
connection.

2. The Local Area Connection's IP address starts with 169.x, where x
is anything other than 254.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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