Problem Allolwing Remote Users Access to Files on Host Computer in WinXP Pro SP2

[AA Smith]

Actually this is a peer-to-peer network (LAN,) so there's not really a Host
per se. We have several computers in our network. I intend for all users
on this LAN to have access through the network to shared files on this
computer. For some reason that stopped working in the not-too-distant past,
though it used to work fine.

This apparently applies to all users on one computer in this LAN. Even me!
For simplification, I'll refer to the computers involved as LAN1 and LAN2.
LAN1 is what I refer to as the Host in that the files that users are trying
to access reside on that computer. All users (User IDs) in the network are
setup on LAN1 as users for LAN1. The same holds true for LAN2. And all
users have the same User IDs on both computers. On LAN1, I opened the System
Properties dialogue and clicked on the Remote tab.I checkmarked both boxes
on that tab. I also clicked on the Select Remote Users button and entered
all User IDs appear in the list. That would seem to be all I need to do to
grant access to shared files on LAN1 to users on LAN2. However, when
anyone, myself included, tries to access shared files on LAN1 from LAN2 they
get an error message telling them that they don't have access to LAN1.

What am I overlooking? How can I resolve this problem?

 

[Guest]

Does Lan2 access Lan1, but Lan1 cannot access Lan2? If so, I have the same
problem. Are both machines running Windows XP Professional?

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Actually this is a peer-to-peer network (LAN,) so there's not really a Host
per se. We have several computers in our network. I intend for all users
on this LAN to have access through the network to shared files on this
computer. For some reason that stopped working in the not-too-distant past,
though it used to work fine.

This apparently applies to all users on one computer in this LAN. Even me!
For simplification, I'll refer to the computers involved as LAN1 and LAN2.
LAN1 is what I refer to as the Host in that the files that users are trying
to access reside on that computer. All users (User IDs) in the network are
setup on LAN1 as users for LAN1. The same holds true for LAN2. And all
users have the same User IDs on both computers. On LAN1, I opened the System
Properties dialogue and clicked on the Remote tab.I checkmarked both boxes
on that tab. I also clicked on the Select Remote Users button and entered
all User IDs appear in the list. That would seem to be all I need to do to
grant access to shared files on LAN1 to users on LAN2. However, when
anyone, myself included, tries to access shared files on LAN1 from LAN2 they
get an error message telling them that they don't have access to LAN1.

What am I overlooking? How can I resolve this problem?

"Select Remote Users" determines who can access an XP Pro computer
using Remote Desktop. It has no effect on accessing shared files.

The problem might not involve user IDs. It's could be caused by LAN2
not being able to find LAN1 on the network. What is the complete and
exact text of the error message saying that users on LAN2 don't have
access to LAN1?

What happens if you try to access LAN1 from LAN2 by typing this
command in the Start | Run box?

\\LAN1

What happens if you ping LAN1 from LAN2 by typing this command in a
command prompt window (Start | Run | cmd)?

ping LAN1

Is "Use simple file sharing" checked or un-checked on LAN1? That
setting is at the end of the list of advanced settings in My Computer
| Tools | Folder Options | View.

If simple file sharing is un-checked, create matching user accounts
(same user ID and same non-blank password) on both computers.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Chuck]

Actually this is a peer-to-peer network (LAN,) so there's not really a Host
per se. We have several computers in our network. I intend for all users
on this LAN to have access through the network to shared files on this
computer. For some reason that stopped working in the not-too-distant past,
though it used to work fine.

This apparently applies to all users on one computer in this LAN. Even me!
For simplification, I'll refer to the computers involved as LAN1 and LAN2.
LAN1 is what I refer to as the Host in that the files that users are trying
to access reside on that computer. All users (User IDs) in the network are
setup on LAN1 as users for LAN1. The same holds true for LAN2. And all
users have the same User IDs on both computers. On LAN1, I opened the System
Properties dialogue and clicked on the Remote tab.I checkmarked both boxes
on that tab. I also clicked on the Select Remote Users button and entered
all User IDs appear in the list. That would seem to be all I need to do to
grant access to shared files on LAN1 to users on LAN2. However, when
anyone, myself included, tries to access shared files on LAN1 from LAN2 they
get an error message telling them that they don't have access to LAN1.

What am I overlooking? How can I resolve this problem?

Dick,

The Remote Users dialogue in System Properties is for setting up Remote Access
(for controlling the desktop thru the network). If you want to setup access to
shared files or folders, you use the Properties wizard for the folder in
question from Windows Explorer.

When you use the wizard, remember to set permissions in both Sharing -
Permissions (for network access rights), and in Security (for local access
rights). Both local and network access rights are required for access over the
network.

If you've done that, and you're still getting "access denied" or similar, check:
# Registry setting restrictanonymous.
# Misconfigured / overlooked firewall.
# Browser conflict.
# Non-activated account.
# Non-synchronised passwords.

Check restrictanonymous on each computer.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/restrictanonymous-and-your-server.html>

Look for any misconfigured or overlooked firewalls. What antivirus products do
you use?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>

Diagnose a browser conflict by running "browstat status" on all computers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#Browser>

Make sure the account selected from the shared folder Properties wizard is
properly activated on each computer.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Activate>

If the account being used is not Guest, make sure that passwords are
synchronised for the account between the two computers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Synchronise>

--
Cheers,
Chuck MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.

 

[AA Smith]

LAN1 has no problem accessing LAN2.

 

[AA Smith]

Thanks, Chuck!

I'll check all of this out. Funny thing is, there are several other
computers in this LAN and ALL of them have and use access to these files
every day. Each computer runs a slideshow screen saver whenever they're in
active for awhile, and they all get the photos for their screen saver from
LAN1, including all users on LAN2. So, this really is strange. The problem
surfaces anytime a user on LAN2, me included, attempts to open shared files
on LAN1 using Windows Explorer. It also happens if a user on LAN2 tries to
open the photo files on LAN1 using the browse feature of MSN Explorer on
LAN2.
--
With kindest regards,

Dick Smith

Actually this is a peer-to-peer network (LAN,) so there's not really a
Host
per se. We have several computers in our network. I intend for all users
on this LAN to have access through the network to shared files on this
computer. For some reason that stopped working in the not-too-distant
past,
though it used to work fine.

This apparently applies to all users on one computer in this LAN. Even
me!
For simplification, I'll refer to the computers involved as LAN1 and LAN2.
LAN1 is what I refer to as the Host in that the files that users are
trying
to access reside on that computer. All users (User IDs) in the network
are
setup on LAN1 as users for LAN1. The same holds true for LAN2. And all
users have the same User IDs on both computers. On LAN1, I opened the
System
Properties dialogue and clicked on the Remote tab.I checkmarked both boxes
on that tab. I also clicked on the Select Remote Users button and entered
all User IDs appear in the list. That would seem to be all I need to do
to
grant access to shared files on LAN1 to users on LAN2. However, when
anyone, myself included, tries to access shared files on LAN1 from LAN2
they
get an error message telling them that they don't have access to LAN1.

What am I overlooking? How can I resolve this problem?

Dick,

The Remote Users dialogue in System Properties is for setting up Remote
Access
(for controlling the desktop thru the network). If you want to setup
access to
shared files or folders, you use the Properties wizard for the folder in
question from Windows Explorer.

When you use the wizard, remember to set permissions in both Sharing -
Permissions (for network access rights), and in Security (for local access
rights). Both local and network access rights are required for access
over the
network.

If you've done that, and you're still getting "access denied" or similar,
check:
# Registry setting restrictanonymous.
# Misconfigured / overlooked firewall.
# Browser conflict.
# Non-activated account.
# Non-synchronised passwords.

Check restrictanonymous on each computer.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/restrictanonymous-and-your-server.html>

Look for any misconfigured or overlooked firewalls. What antivirus
products do
you use?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>

Diagnose a browser conflict by running "browstat status" on all computers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#Browser>

Make sure the account selected from the shared folder Properties wizard is
properly activated on each computer.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Activate>

If the account being used is not Guest, make sure that passwords are
synchronised for the account between the two computers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Synchronise>

--
Cheers,
Chuck MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.

 

[AA Smith]

Hi, Steve!

We took your suggestion & tried to ping LAN1 from LAN2. Didn't work. We
got a pop-up message stating words to the effect of "Network path not
found."

That's decidedly odd, since there are several other computers in this LAN
and ALL of them have and use access to these files every day. Each computer
runs a slideshow screen saver whenever they're inactive for awhile, and they
all get the photos for their slideshow screen saver from LAN1, including all
users on LAN2. The photos don't exist anywhere else. So, this really is
strange. The problem surfaces anytime a user on LAN2, me included, attempts
to access the computer LAN1 using Windows Explorer. It also happens if a
user on LAN2 tries to access LAN1 using the browse feature of MSN Explorer
on LAN2.

What does that indicate to you?
--
With kindest regards,

Dick Smith

 

[AA Smith]

Oooops! I forgot to mention that Simple File Sharing IS checked on My
Computer>Tools>View.

 

[AA Smith]

Turns out that somehow the Network setting for LAN2 reverted to MSHOME from
the Network setting I had setup for LAN2 when I installed WinXP Pro.
Changing that to the correct setting solved the problem, I still don't
understand how the SlideShow screen saver was even working. But it was.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Turns out that somehow the Network setting for LAN2 reverted to MSHOME from
the Network setting I had setup for LAN2 when I installed WinXP Pro.
Changing that to the correct setting solved the problem, I still don't
understand how the SlideShow screen saver was even working. But it was.

Thanks for reporting the solution.

What setting did you change, and what were the old and new values?

Did changing the workgroup name fix it? I don't see how that would
explain the previous inability to ping LAN2, since pinging doesn't use
workgroup names.

Anyway, I'm glad that it's working now.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com