Networking Issues

[BaWork]

I've read through the posts and have decided it must (I hope) be the
Firewall causing my issues, but I just wanted to confirm...

I'm hoping I don't have to do anything with BrowStat, because that looks
pretty intimidating and I think I almost know what I'm doing.

Issue: one machine can see but can't access other machine's shared folders

Here is my friend's setup.

Desktop machine - computer name is: desktop

Laptop machine - computer name is: laptop

Workgroup is called: MSHOME

Laptop is running Norton with Firewall and Desktop is running McAfee
without Firewall (using XP's). Both machines are XP Home and current
with updates. Both machines are connected to a netgear wireless router
which is connected to broadband.

The Desktop can see and browse the shared "My Documents" folder on the
Laptop. The Laptop can see but CAN NOT browse the shared "My Documents"
folder on the desktop (I get the standard permission error when I click
on the desktop icon in My Network Places). Laptop CAN NOT find shared
printer on Desktop.

I've tried disabling both firewalls and rebooting several times.

From what I've read, I should uninstall something from the Desktop, but
the desktop is running McAfee without its' firewall portion even
installed (one of those OEM things from Dell that lists it in the
security suite as an additional purchase). Should I still try that?

I know both machines don't have the Guest account enabled so I will do
that as well.

If that doesn't work, what's next?

How tired are you of answering the same questions over and over again?

I know it frustrates the he!@ out of me. I have a 3 computer network,
all running different versions of Windows, without guest accounts on any
of them and everything runs perfect. I don't use McAfee on any machine
(I use Norton Antivirus only) and use Zone Alarm for the Firewall. I'm
using the exact same wireless router in the configuration above. You
feel like an idiot when you tell a friend it should be easy and you got
nothing after 4 hours....

Thanks.

Brett

 

[Chuck]

I've read through the posts and have decided it must (I hope) be the
Firewall causing my issues, but I just wanted to confirm...

I'm hoping I don't have to do anything with BrowStat, because that looks
pretty intimidating and I think I almost know what I'm doing.

Issue: one machine can see but can't access other machine's shared folders

Here is my friend's setup.

Desktop machine - computer name is: desktop

Laptop machine - computer name is: laptop

Workgroup is called: MSHOME

Laptop is running Norton with Firewall and Desktop is running McAfee
without Firewall (using XP's). Both machines are XP Home and current
with updates. Both machines are connected to a netgear wireless router
which is connected to broadband.

The Desktop can see and browse the shared "My Documents" folder on the
Laptop. The Laptop can see but CAN NOT browse the shared "My Documents"
folder on the desktop (I get the standard permission error when I click
on the desktop icon in My Network Places). Laptop CAN NOT find shared
printer on Desktop.

I've tried disabling both firewalls and rebooting several times.

From what I've read, I should uninstall something from the Desktop, but
the desktop is running McAfee without its' firewall portion even
installed (one of those OEM things from Dell that lists it in the
security suite as an additional purchase). Should I still try that?

I know both machines don't have the Guest account enabled so I will do
that as well.

If that doesn't work, what's next?

How tired are you of answering the same questions over and over again?

I know it frustrates the he!@ out of me. I have a 3 computer network,
all running different versions of Windows, without guest accounts on any
of them and everything runs perfect. I don't use McAfee on any machine
(I use Norton Antivirus only) and use Zone Alarm for the Firewall. I'm
using the exact same wireless router in the configuration above. You
feel like an idiot when you tell a friend it should be easy and you got
nothing after 4 hours....

Thanks.

Brett

Brett,

Actually, it's something different every time. Whether it involves browstat
(one of the simplest diagnostic procedures), and whether we need it will be
determined. ;-)

Make sure that the Guest account is enabled, on each computer, with Start - Run
- "cmd", then type "net user guest /active:yes" in the command window - not thru
Control Panel - User Accounts. Ensure that the password for Guest is blank,
with Start - Run - "control userpasswords2"; select Guest, click Reset Password,
click OK without entering a new password.

Remember with XP Home, all network access is through the Guest account. The "My
Documents" folder is owned by each individual user, and Guest has no access
there.

Your 3 computer network, with different versions of Windows, probably uses
non-Guest authentication. If XP Home is not involved, non-Guest authentication
is a very good idea, for better security. The Guest account is a known target
for hackers.

More about file sharing, between all different versions of Windows:
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...db-aef8-4bef-925e-7ac9be791028&DisplayLang=en>

So let's see what happens when you enable Guest, and take it from there.

BTW, Brett, posting your email address openly will get you more unwanted email,
than wanted email. 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.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.