File sharing on a wireless network problem

[Jack]

Hi,

I'm not very experienced with networking at all (so it
probably wasn't wise to jump right in to wireless but
hey, I have). So here's where I am:

I have a wireless router connected to my broadband cable
modem and physically connected to my main desktop (for
now). In another room I have a desktop with a wireless
adapter and both at the moment have full access to the
internet, that part was easy. Now I want to set up file
and print sharing. I have managed to get my main desktop
to see the other and it is able to edit, send and receive
anything so long as it's in the shared files. However the
other desktop can't access the main one. It says:

\\***** is not accessibly. You might not have permission
to use this network resource. etc........

Access is denied

I don't really understand all that. It can however see
it, so I'm assuming this is suppose to happen and there
is an option somewhere I'm missing. I've got them both
using IPX protocols and have disabled the TCP/IP ones in
advanced settings, but that's about all I have read I can
do. I have also tried to rename the workgroup but that
doesn't seem to help.

I'd be really grateful for any help,
Thanks, Jack.

 

[Chuck]

Hi,

I'm not very experienced with networking at all (so it
probably wasn't wise to jump right in to wireless but
hey, I have). So here's where I am:

I have a wireless router connected to my broadband cable
modem and physically connected to my main desktop (for
now). In another room I have a desktop with a wireless
adapter and both at the moment have full access to the
internet, that part was easy. Now I want to set up file
and print sharing. I have managed to get my main desktop
to see the other and it is able to edit, send and receive
anything so long as it's in the shared files. However the
other desktop can't access the main one. It says:

\\***** is not accessibly. You might not have permission
to use this network resource. etc........

Access is denied

I don't really understand all that. It can however see
it, so I'm assuming this is suppose to happen and there
is an option somewhere I'm missing. I've got them both
using IPX protocols and have disabled the TCP/IP ones in
advanced settings, but that's about all I have read I can
do. I have also tried to rename the workgroup but that
doesn't seem to help.

I'd be really grateful for any help,
Thanks, Jack.

Jack,

To start, please remove IPX - all that does is make our work a bit harder.

Install NetBIOS Over TCP/IP, Client for Microsoft Networks, and File and Printer
Sharing for Microsoft Networks, on each computer.

Next check file sharing settings on each computer.

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 Local Security Policy to "Guest only", make sure
that the Guest account is enabled, thru Local User Manager (Start - Run -
"lusrmgr.msc"), and has an identical, non-blank, password on all computers. If
"Classic", setup and use a common non-Guest account, with 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 (for XP Pro, thru Local User Manager (Start - Run -
"lusrmgr.msc")), on each computer.

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF or third party)? If so,
you need to configure them for file sharing, by opening ports TCP 139, 445 and
UDP 137, 138, 445, 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.

Here's the definitive Microsoft article about file sharing. It makes good
reading, if you have a lot of coffee handy.
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...db-aef8-4bef-925e-7ac9be791028&DisplayLang=en>

Please let us know what, if anything, solves your problem. Everybody learns
here.

And Jack, please don't contribute to the spread and success of email address
mining viruses. Learn to munge your email address properly, to keep yourself a
bit safer when posting to open forums. Protect yourself and the rest of the
internet - read this article.
http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_munging.htm

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

 

[Peter Wilkins]

Jack,

To start,

snipped excellent advice.

Hi Chuck,
I just have to post express my appreciation for your excellent advice,
given very clearly and precisely, with no hint of condescension to
newby Jack.

After reading lots of troll and RTFM posts, yours came as a breath of
fresh air. Please keep up the good work!

 

[Chuck]

snipped excellent advice.

Hi Chuck,
I just have to post express my appreciation for your excellent advice,
given very clearly and precisely, with no hint of condescension to
newby Jack.

After reading lots of troll and RTFM posts, yours came as a breath of
fresh air. Please keep up the good work!

Thank you, Peter. I appreciate your support.

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