frustrated with group - networked access

[Guest]

Ladies/gentlemen, I have not had to say this until now, but I am a bit
frustrated with this group for the first time. I have tried to get an issues
resolved with accessing my laptop from my desktop, and it seems other than
cursory level links and a few one-time suggestions, with no follow on ideas
after I try things and respond, there is little ability or interest in
helping.

If anyone has more than a one-email level of patience and has any insight,
please help out.

Have a new laptop, and the way I was accessing from my desktop no longer
works. Both machines are XP Pro, SP2. I have taken all the firewall and
security protection off of the laptop to get this to work, and nothing. The
desktop can see the machine, and can get the login screen into it, but cannot
access. If someone can walk me through some ideas, I'd be grateful.

Regards.

 

[Steve N.]

Ladies/gentlemen, I have not had to say this until now, but I am a bit
frustrated with this group for the first time. I have tried to get an issues
resolved with accessing my laptop from my desktop, and it seems other than
cursory level links and a few one-time suggestions, with no follow on ideas
after I try things and respond, there is little ability or interest in
helping.

Please realize this is a peer support group with sometimes nearly 1000
posts per day.

If anyone has more than a one-email level of patience and has any insight,
please help out.

Have a new laptop, and the way I was accessing from my desktop no longer
works.

So it once did work? What has changed?

Both machines are XP Pro, SP2. I have taken all the firewall and
security protection off of the laptop to get this to work, and nothing. The
desktop can see the machine, and can get the login screen into it, but cannot
access. If someone can walk me through some ideas, I'd be grateful.

Regards.

Do you mean you cannot login to it or that you can login but cannot
access any shared folders on the laptop?

Steve N.

 

[Malke]

Ladies/gentlemen, I have not had to say this until now, but I am a bit
frustrated with this group for the first time. I have tried to get an
issues resolved with accessing my laptop from my desktop, and it seems
other than cursory level links and a few one-time suggestions, with no
follow on ideas after I try things and respond, there is little
ability or interest in helping.

If anyone has more than a one-email level of patience and has any
insight, please help out.

Have a new laptop, and the way I was accessing from my desktop no
longer
works. Both machines are XP Pro, SP2. I have taken all the firewall
and
security protection off of the laptop to get this to work, and
nothing. The desktop can see the machine, and can get the login
screen into it, but cannot
access. If someone can walk me through some ideas, I'd be grateful.

First of all, let me explain what this "group" is. The Microsoft
newsgroups are hosted on Microsoft servers, but this is not Microsoft
support. Although some MS employees occasionally post here, the
majority of regular helpers (like me) are volunteers who do not work
for the company. In addition, posters live all over the world in
different time zones and may - strangely enough - even have Real
Lives(tm) and not spend all their time answering newsgroup questions.

If you did not get the help you needed/wanted, it may have been that a)
you didn't explain the situation fully or well enough; b) no one
reading the group at the moment had an answer for you or wanted to
answer that particular question. You always have the option to call a
local professional to come on-site. Naturally, that would not be free.
Some newsgroup posters are willing to provide free technical support
via email, and some - like me - are not. One of the disadvantages of
continuing a thread in email is that it removes the information from
Google Groups archives and prevents peer examination for accuracy.

Since you are using the web interface, you may not realize that this is
really Usenet. Here are some links to information about newsgroups:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usenet
http://groups.google.com/support/bin/static.py?page=basics.html - Basics
of Usenet
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page3.html#12-09-02 - a brief
explanation of newsgroups

That said, because you did not keep to your original thread, I have no
idea what the details of your problem are and so can't offer any
focused troubleshooting. If you'd like to try again, go to this link to
see what information to include in your next newsgroup post:

http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Otherwise, you could go through this network troubleshooter by MVP
Hans-Georg Michna:

http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

If you take the time to go through the troubleshooter, it will usually
pinpoint the problem area(s).

Malke

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ladies/gentlemen, I have not had to say this until now, but I am a bit
frustrated with this group for the first time. I have tried to get
an issues resolved with accessing my laptop from my desktop, and it
seems other than cursory level links and a few one-time suggestions,
with no follow on ideas after I try things and respond, there is
little ability or interest in helping.

I'm not sure whom you think you're addressing, or what answers you think
you're entitled to, but just in case you're confused, let me make it very
clear: this isn't Microsoft you're addressing, and nobody here is
necessarily entitled to any answers at all.

This is a peer support newsgroup. We are all just Windows XP users here,
helping each other if and when we can. We are not Microsoft employees (not
even those of us with "Microsoft MVP" behind our names; that's an honorary
title for having provided consistently helpful advice) except for an
occasional employee who posts here unofficially on his own time.

If you don't get an answer, it can be for a variety of reasons: you may have
asked your question poorly and nobody understood, nobody may know the
answer, the person who knows the answer may have missed your question, and
so on.

If anyone has more than a one-email level of patience and has any
insight, please help out.

Have a new laptop, and the way I was accessing from my desktop no
longer works. Both machines are XP Pro, SP2. I have taken all the
firewall and security protection off of the laptop to get this to
work, and nothing. The desktop can see the machine, and can get the
login screen into it, but cannot access. If someone can walk me
through some ideas, I'd be grateful.

Here's a good example of what I meant when I said "you may have asked your
question poorly and nobody understood." I don't know whether others
understand your question, but I don't. You say "the way I was accessing from
my desktop no longer works," but you don't tell us what that way was. You
also tell us nothing about how long ago it stopped working or what changes,
installations, etc. you made at that time.

You'll find many people here who are qualified to help you and glad to do
so, but you have to give them some information to work with.

For information on how to make a good newsgroup posting, read
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[antioch]

He's asked and asked the question and has had help/tried different things.
The poor chap is upset that nobody has solved his problem yet.
Certainly beyond my knowledge.
Can you suggest anybody who is 'always' willing to help ;-) ;-)
Rgds
Antioch

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Ladies/gentlemen, I have not had to say this until now, but I am a bit
frustrated with this group for the first time. I have tried to get an issues
resolved with accessing my laptop from my desktop, and it seems other than
cursory level links and a few one-time suggestions, with no follow on ideas
after I try things and respond, there is little ability or interest in
helping.

If anyone has more than a one-email level of patience and has any insight,
please help out.

Have a new laptop, and the way I was accessing from my desktop no longer
works. Both machines are XP Pro, SP2. I have taken all the firewall and
security protection off of the laptop to get this to work, and nothing. The
desktop can see the machine, and can get the login screen into it, but cannot
access. If someone can walk me through some ideas, I'd be grateful.

I haven't seen any of your earlier posts, or the responses thereto, so
I'm afraid I'll have to start the process all over again with a
"generic" response, as your post contains no specific information.

On each WinXP computer, create local user account(s), with
*non-blank* password(s), that have the desired access privileges to the
desired shares. Log on to the other PCs using those account(s), and you
will be able to access the designated shares, provided your network is
configured properly. Also, if running WinXP SP1 or later, make sure
that WinXP's built-in firewall is disabled on the internal LAN
connection. If using WinXP SP2, make sure that you've either disabled
the built-in firewall, or set the firewall to allow file and print sharing.

Usually, WinXP's Networking Wizard makes it simple and painless --
almost entirely automatic, in fact. There's a lot of useful,
easy-to-follow information in WinXP's Help & Support files, and here:

Home Networking
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/howto/homenet/default.asp

Networking Information
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/networking.htm

PracticallyNetworked Home
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/index.htm

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry

 

[Talahasee]

Ladies/gentlemen, I have not had to say this until now, but I am a bit
frustrated with this group for the first time. I have tried to get an issues
resolved with accessing my laptop from my desktop, and it seems other than
cursory level links and a few one-time suggestions, with no follow on ideas
after I try things and respond, there is little ability or interest in
helping.

If anyone has more than a one-email level of patience and has any insight,
please help out.

Have a new laptop, and the way I was accessing from my desktop no longer
works. Both machines are XP Pro, SP2. I have taken all the firewall and
security protection off of the laptop to get this to work, and nothing. The
desktop can see the machine, and can get the login screen into it, but cannot
access. If someone can walk me through some ideas, I'd be grateful.

You SUGGEST that your laptop and your desktop are linked.

But you have NOT given any indication of HOW they are linked
physically. Nor have you said anything about the software
involved.

Perhaps if you gave more precise details about the link,
someone might be able to help you. Thus far, you have
received multiple replies, but only puzzlement, and numerous
questions asking for more information, and clarification.

It seems (from a communicator -me-) that we are now dealing
with an issue of communicating clearly and accurately
EXACTLY what you are doing/ not doing, and what is working /
not working.

Next issue is, did your setup EVER work?

IF you double check the thread, SEVERAL people (not me) are
standing by to help you; you simply need to expand on and
clarify what is going on.

MY role in this has become one of a writer with 30 + years
experience in COMMUNICATING in writing and orally trying to
help you COMMUNICATE your ISSUES better.


Good luck!


Tallahassee

 

[Alan]

Look through the newsgroup archives.

Lots of people help with lots of different problems people have. And for
free. But to get an answer the problem has to be clearly described with
sufficient detail to help identify possible causes/solutions.

There is no right to an answer. No-one here is paid support. But look
through the archives- the vast majority of people posting questions do get a
response- even if it is asking for relevant details to allow help to be
given.

Some questions are so broad it would be like giving a computer course to
cover all of the possibilities. That wastes everyones time. Enough
information to help give meaningful and directed soltions is needed- not my
computer used to work but doesnt now. How do I fix it? Then moaning because
help given didn't help his situation. What can you realistically expect?

He's asked and asked the question and has had help/tried different things.
The poor chap is upset that nobody has solved his problem yet.
Certainly beyond my knowledge.
Can you suggest anybody who is 'always' willing to help ;-) ;-)
Rgds
Antioch

 

[Guest]

Thanks to all the responses. Not to get into an argument (as I see all the
points made, and understand people take their participation seriously...and I
work about 19 hours a day, so don't think I don't value the time that's taken
for this), but my statement was one of frustration, and not entitlement. If
anything, I compliment entire groups and individuals on all help topics
(mostly Excel and Access, not Windows, which is why I am less educated in
what might be wrong with my computer).

Hard for me to apologize for being overt in saying I was frustrated, as I
was looking for anyone who might have particular knowledge of networking and
who could help me try a few ideas. My comments were not intended (as it
seems to have been interpreted) as personal attacks on the regular
contributors. For that I can apologize.

I understand full well what this forum is, have participated in the Excel
and Access groups with questions and answers, and was extremely detailed in
what my setup was and what specific problems I was having in my previous two
attempts to solve this problem (this time it was a bit lacking, I'll admit,
although debasing the six points I gave to describe my situation into saying
that my "complaint" was "I don't know what to do" is not exactly fair either).

All that said, and hopefully with no hurt feelings from those on here (and
with the intent of not turning this into a chat room), one more try at
describing the specific problem...

My old laptop was physically connected to my desktop. On the desktop, I had
a link to the laptop's My Documents, inside of which, I had a set of docs,
which docs were in a briefase on the desktop (so desktop briefcase=laptop
linked docs). That was the way I synched up files. Got a new laptop. At
first, I was unable to even see the laptop on the workgroup. Got that solved
somehow (don't remember how). Then, the attempt to get into the laptop was
giving me a "guest" login, and no password worked. Specifically, the login
name was greyed (so I couldn't log in as I'd used to, which was as the
Username of the Administrator), and ironically the login would only show up
(=the computer would only be seen) when the laptop was set to have the guest
login TURNED OFF. If the guest login was turned ON, the desktop just
wouldn't see the laptop.

I've turned off all security at this point, shared out the My Docs, and
permissions on it are set to Everyone for Read. I tried adding a user for my
desktop, per a previous suggestion, but on the laptop side, when I try to add
the user, it cannot find the desktop as a location, and therefore rejects the
attempt at "desktop-name\usernam" to add.

That was my last suggestion give, and that's where I am now.

Thanks for any help, and hopefully this is not construed as attacking, but
rather just looking to a group that has been phenomenally helpful in the past
year or so since I realized it exists.

 

[antioch]

Hi Alan - don't lecture me - tell BorisS.
I only pointed out he has asked and has had help - but his problem isn't
solved.
So your diatribe is lost on me!
Antioch

Look through the newsgroup archives.

Lots of people help with lots of different problems people have. And for
free. But to get an answer the problem has to be clearly described with
sufficient detail to help identify possible causes/solutions.

There is no right to an answer. No-one here is paid support. But look
through the archives- the vast majority of people posting questions do get
a
response- even if it is asking for relevant details to allow help to be
given.

Some questions are so broad it would be like giving a computer course to
cover all of the possibilities. That wastes everyones time. Enough
information to help give meaningful and directed soltions is needed- not
my computer used to work but doesnt now. How do I fix it? Then moaning
because help given didn't help his situation. What can you realistically
expect?

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Boris$

I am, of course, sorry to hear that you didn't get the help you were
expecting. However, may I suggest that as your question appears to be
one of a network related or something similar, you should be posting it
here:

news://microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web

hth

 

[Steve N.]

Thanks to all the responses. Not to get into an argument (as I see all the
points made, and understand people take their participation seriously...and I
work about 19 hours a day, so don't think I don't value the time that's taken
for this), but my statement was one of frustration, and not entitlement. If
anything, I compliment entire groups and individuals on all help topics
(mostly Excel and Access, not Windows, which is why I am less educated in
what might be wrong with my computer).

Hard for me to apologize for being overt in saying I was frustrated, as I
was looking for anyone who might have particular knowledge of networking and
who could help me try a few ideas. My comments were not intended (as it
seems to have been interpreted) as personal attacks on the regular
contributors. For that I can apologize.

I understand full well what this forum is, have participated in the Excel
and Access groups with questions and answers, and was extremely detailed in
what my setup was and what specific problems I was having in my previous two
attempts to solve this problem (this time it was a bit lacking, I'll admit,
although debasing the six points I gave to describe my situation into saying
that my "complaint" was "I don't know what to do" is not exactly fair either).

All that said, and hopefully with no hurt feelings from those on here (and
with the intent of not turning this into a chat room), one more try at
describing the specific problem...

My old laptop was physically connected to my desktop. On the desktop, I had
a link to the laptop's My Documents, inside of which, I had a set of docs,
which docs were in a briefase on the desktop (so desktop briefcase=laptop
linked docs). That was the way I synched up files. Got a new laptop. At
first, I was unable to even see the laptop on the workgroup. Got that solved
somehow (don't remember how). Then, the attempt to get into the laptop was
giving me a "guest" login, and no password worked. Specifically, the login
name was greyed (so I couldn't log in as I'd used to, which was as the
Username of the Administrator), and ironically the login would only show up
(=the computer would only be seen) when the laptop was set to have the guest
login TURNED OFF. If the guest login was turned ON, the desktop just
wouldn't see the laptop.

I've turned off all security at this point, shared out the My Docs, and
permissions on it are set to Everyone for Read. I tried adding a user for my
desktop, per a previous suggestion, but on the laptop side, when I try to add
the user, it cannot find the desktop as a location, and therefore rejects the
attempt at "desktop-name\usernam" to add.

That was my last suggestion give, and that's where I am now.

Thanks for any help, and hopefully this is not construed as attacking, but
rather just looking to a group that has been phenomenally helpful in the past
year or so since I realized it exists.

Ahah! "Breifcase" is a joke. Never has worked right. So is Simple File
Sharing. Leave that crap off.

Create identical accounts (username & password) on both computers, then
share a folder on the laptop. I wouldn't use the Desktop location, but a
seperate folder. It gets too confusing. But if you insist, user Desktops
are located in "Documents and Settings\[username]\Desktop".

This article may be helpful:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

As far as anyone getting offended, screw `em. This is usenet, Boris.
Anyone can post anything. It's up to the individual to take it or leave it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usenet

Steve N.

 

[Guest]

I feel like a total idiot. Figured out the problem. Whereas I was convinced
that I had set an administrator password for my laptop side, I hadn't. So
all this time I'd been entering in the password, with the laptop side not
knowing what I was entering (for good reason). Thanks for the assistance and
patience.
--
Boris

Thanks to all the responses. Not to get into an argument (as I see all the
points made, and understand people take their participation seriously...and I
work about 19 hours a day, so don't think I don't value the time that's taken
for this), but my statement was one of frustration, and not entitlement. If
anything, I compliment entire groups and individuals on all help topics
(mostly Excel and Access, not Windows, which is why I am less educated in
what might be wrong with my computer).

Hard for me to apologize for being overt in saying I was frustrated, as I
was looking for anyone who might have particular knowledge of networking and
who could help me try a few ideas. My comments were not intended (as it
seems to have been interpreted) as personal attacks on the regular
contributors. For that I can apologize.

I understand full well what this forum is, have participated in the Excel
and Access groups with questions and answers, and was extremely detailed in
what my setup was and what specific problems I was having in my previous two
attempts to solve this problem (this time it was a bit lacking, I'll admit,
although debasing the six points I gave to describe my situation into saying
that my "complaint" was "I don't know what to do" is not exactly fair either).

All that said, and hopefully with no hurt feelings from those on here (and
with the intent of not turning this into a chat room), one more try at
describing the specific problem...

My old laptop was physically connected to my desktop. On the desktop, I had
a link to the laptop's My Documents, inside of which, I had a set of docs,
which docs were in a briefase on the desktop (so desktop briefcase=laptop
linked docs). That was the way I synched up files. Got a new laptop. At
first, I was unable to even see the laptop on the workgroup. Got that solved
somehow (don't remember how). Then, the attempt to get into the laptop was
giving me a "guest" login, and no password worked. Specifically, the login
name was greyed (so I couldn't log in as I'd used to, which was as the
Username of the Administrator), and ironically the login would only show up
(=the computer would only be seen) when the laptop was set to have the guest
login TURNED OFF. If the guest login was turned ON, the desktop just
wouldn't see the laptop.

I've turned off all security at this point, shared out the My Docs, and
permissions on it are set to Everyone for Read. I tried adding a user for my
desktop, per a previous suggestion, but on the laptop side, when I try to add
the user, it cannot find the desktop as a location, and therefore rejects the
attempt at "desktop-name\usernam" to add.

That was my last suggestion give, and that's where I am now.

Thanks for any help, and hopefully this is not construed as attacking, but
rather just looking to a group that has been phenomenally helpful in the past
year or so since I realized it exists.

Ahah! "Breifcase" is a joke. Never has worked right. So is Simple File
Sharing. Leave that crap off.

Create identical accounts (username & password) on both computers, then
share a folder on the laptop. I wouldn't use the Desktop location, but a
seperate folder. It gets too confusing. But if you insist, user Desktops
are located in "Documents and Settings\[username]\Desktop".

This article may be helpful:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

As far as anyone getting offended, screw `em. This is usenet, Boris.
Anyone can post anything. It's up to the individual to take it or leave it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usenet

Steve N.

 

[Malke]

I feel like a total idiot. Figured out the problem. Whereas I was
convinced
that I had set an administrator password for my laptop side, I hadn't.
So all this time I'd been entering in the password, with the laptop
side not
knowing what I was entering (for good reason). Thanks for the
assistance and patience.

It takes a big person to admit mistakes, especially in light of how this
thread started off. Bravo, sir. I'm glad you got the issue sorted.
Thanks for letting us know.

Malke

 

[Steve N.]

I feel like a total idiot.

A real idiot probably wouldn't publicly admit an error.

Figured out the problem. Whereas I was convinced
that I had set an administrator password for my laptop side, I hadn't. So
all this time I'd been entering in the password, with the laptop side not
knowing what I was entering (for good reason). Thanks for the assistance and
patience.

No problem, I'm glad you got it working.

Steve N.