Setting up a workgroup and file sharing, Windows XP Home edition

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Guest

I am trying to setup two computers in my office, a laptop and a desktop, so
that they can share files. Both are running Windows XP Home edition with
Service Pack 2. I followed the instructions in the Network Setup Wizard,
giving them both the same workgroup name and enabling file sharing.

Now the desktop can see the workgroup in the Explorer bar but not access it.
It gets an error message saying that the workgroup is not accessible and that
I might not have permission to use this network resource.

The laptop can access the workgroup, but when I try to access the desktop I
get the same error message as above.

We share an office space with two other companies, and the laptop can see
their workgroups as well, but the desktop can't. Ideally, I would like to set
things up so that my two computers can access each other using a username and
password, but no one else in the office can see our workgroup, or at least
they can't access without the username and password.

I'd greatly appreciate any help anyone can give.
Bill
 
I am trying to setup two computers in my office, a laptop and a desktop, so
that they can share files. Both are running Windows XP Home edition with
Service Pack 2. I followed the instructions in the Network Setup Wizard,
giving them both the same workgroup name and enabling file sharing.

Now the desktop can see the workgroup in the Explorer bar but not access it.
It gets an error message saying that the workgroup is not accessible and that
I might not have permission to use this network resource.

The laptop can access the workgroup, but when I try to access the desktop I
get the same error message as above.

We share an office space with two other companies, and the laptop can see
their workgroups as well, but the desktop can't. Ideally, I would like to set
things up so that my two computers can access each other using a username and
password, but no one else in the office can see our workgroup, or at least
they can't access without the username and password.

I'd greatly appreciate any help anyone can give.
Bill
Click to expand...

Bill,

Firstly, if you are running XP Home, you're not going to be able to protect your
data with a username and password. You can set a password on Guest, but that's
it.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html>

You could hide your workgroup, by hiding both computers, but you won't be able
to use Network Neighborhood any more than anybody else. And that's called
Security By Obscurity.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/hiding-your-server-from-enumeration.html>
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/security-by-obscurity.html>

Now to your problem. There are several possibilities.
# Registry setting restrictanonymous.
# Misconfigured / overlooked firewall.
# Browser conflict.
# Non-activated Guest account?

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 Guest account is properly activated on each computer, if this is
either XP Home, or XP Pro with Simple File Sharing.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Activate>

If no help yet, provide "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all" for each computer.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
 
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