password not set

[ML]

Hi. we have 5 pcs on our network. all XP. they can all see each other. My
son's pc can share files with the others but no one can share with him. when
we click his Icon on the list we get a window asking for user name and
password. He doens't log in when he startrs his pc or have any password set
and never has so this is very odd. Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[Malke]

Hi. we have 5 pcs on our network. all XP. they can all see each other.
My son's pc can share files with the others but no one can share with
him. when we click his Icon on the list we get a window asking for
user name and password. He doens't log in when he startrs his pc or
have any password set and never has so this is very odd. Any ideas?
Thanks

This is most commonly caused by a misconfigured firewall. Run the
Network Setup Wizard on your son's computer, making sure to enable File
& Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is that this will turn
on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party
firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like
Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. 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.

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.

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.

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke

 

[ML]

I've uninstalled the antivirus so no firewall there. I've disabled Xp's
firewall.
I've run network setup Wizard again and enabled file sharing but still it
comes up with this stupid User window and password.
I'll create the password on his computer if I have to but how do i do that?
I went onto the site you suggeswted but there was no choice for this problem
any other ideas?

 

[Malke]

I've uninstalled the antivirus so no firewall there. I've disabled Xp's
firewall.
I've run network setup Wizard again and enabled file sharing but still it
comes up with this stupid User window and password.
I'll create the password on his computer if I have to but how do i do
that? I went onto the site you suggeswted but there was no choice for this
problem any other ideas?

Did you read the part about XP Home/Pro issues? You never said what versions
of XP are running. Perhaps one or more of your computers are Media Center
(superset of XP Pro). The easiest and most trouble-free way to have
successful networking with such a small number of computers and users is to
create identical user accounts/passwords on all machines.

Naturally the networking troubleshooters would not cover creating user
accounts and passwords - it is assumed you already know how to do that. Go
to Control Panel>User Accounts and create passwords and additional user
accounts there. You do not ever have to log into the additional user
accounts (the ones made to match the other computers); they just need to be
on the systems.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

Malke

 

[ML]

all computers running WindowsXP professional

Did you read the part about XP Home/Pro issues? You never said what
versions
of XP are running. Perhaps one or more of your computers are Media Center
(superset of XP Pro). The easiest and most trouble-free way to have
successful networking with such a small number of computers and users is
to
create identical user accounts/passwords on all machines.

Naturally the networking troubleshooters would not cover creating user
accounts and passwords - it is assumed you already know how to do that. Go
to Control Panel>User Accounts and create passwords and additional user
accounts there. You do not ever have to log into the additional user
accounts (the ones made to match the other computers); they just need to
be
on the systems.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"

 

[Malke]

all computers running WindowsXP professional

Then reread the section of the post I previously made about Simple Sharing.
You undoubtedly haven't got this set correctly on one or more of the
computers.

Malke