Net Network Setup Question (basic)

[Guest]

I have:
One desktop (XP) (creatievely named "Desktop")
One wireless laptop (XP)
One Netgear Rangemax router
DSL Modem.
Desktop is connected to router through ethernet cable and laptop connects
wirelessly.
Internet connection works fine for both computers.
Desktop has norton antivirus.
Both computers have "allow file sharing" clicked.
I tried to run "home network setup wizard" on first desktop, then used USB
memory key to run it on laptop.
Now in "view workgroup computers" my desktop can only see itself and there
is no "Laptop" icon. (it doesn't take any time to look either)
If I try to "view workgroup" on the laptop, it takes about 30 seconds
thinking and then it can see itself and has an icon for the "desktop." But
if I try to click on the desktop icon I get the message "\\Desktop is not
accessible. You might not have permission to use the network resource.
Contact the adminstrator of this server to find out if you have access
permission. The netowrk path was not found."

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Malke]

I have:
One desktop (XP) (creatievely named "Desktop")
One wireless laptop (XP)
One Netgear Rangemax router
DSL Modem.
Desktop is connected to router through ethernet cable and laptop
connects wirelessly.
Internet connection works fine for both computers.
Desktop has norton antivirus.
Both computers have "allow file sharing" clicked.
I tried to run "home network setup wizard" on first desktop, then used
USB memory key to run it on laptop.
Now in "view workgroup computers" my desktop can only see itself and
there
is no "Laptop" icon. (it doesn't take any time to look either)
If I try to "view workgroup" on the laptop, it takes about 30 seconds
thinking and then it can see itself and has an icon for the "desktop."
But if I try to click on the desktop icon I get the message
"\\Desktop is not
accessible. You might not have permission to use the network
resource. Contact the adminstrator of this server to find out if you
have access
permission. The netowrk path was not found."

This is most commonly caused by a misconfigured firewall. Since you ran
the Network Setup Wizard the XPSP2 Windows Firewall was activated.
Since you have Norton, you probably have the "Internet Worm Protection"
which acts as a firewall. Disable IWP or the Windows Firewall; don't
run both.

If you have third-party firewall software, configure it to allow the
Local Area Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my
firewalls with an IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254.
Obviously you would substitute your correct subnet.

Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
Shared Documents folder.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your response, but I still don't have it working...
I stopped all firewalls (microsoft and norton) and I still get the same
result and same error message. I can ping from each computer to the other
and to the router. Any other tips?

 

[Malke]

Thanks for your response, but I still don't have it working...
I stopped all firewalls (microsoft and norton) and I still get the
same
result and same error message. I can ping from each computer to the
other
and to the router. Any other tips?

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro:

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
Simple File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it
matters in your situation.

Other than that, if you are still having difficulties take the time to
go through this network troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna:

http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

It will usually pinpoint the problem area(s).

Malke

 

[Richard G. Harper]

In addition to Malke's advice, be sure that you've uninstalled (not
disabled) any non-Microsoft firewall software while you sort things out,
then reinstall when done.