Why PC denies access on a p2p network

[Guest]

I had a P2P network running XP Pro with 6 pcs and shared printers and files.
When I tried to add a 7th pc with a new printer, something went amiss. I've
added it to the workgroup of the original pcs and shared the printer. The new
pc has access to other shared printers and files, but the other pcs cannot
connect to the 7th pc to use the shared files/printer. When I browse my
networks from the other pcs, I can see the new pc as part of the workgroup.
But when I'm at the other pcs and I try to open it for Shared Documents or go
to add the printer and try to find the printer through browse for printer, I
get an access denied message. It's like the whole pc is not shared through
the network. How do I change this and allow the other pcs access to the last
pc??

 

[Chuck]

I had a P2P network running XP Pro with 6 pcs and shared printers and files.
When I tried to add a 7th pc with a new printer, something went amiss. I've
added it to the workgroup of the original pcs and shared the printer. The new
pc has access to other shared printers and files, but the other pcs cannot
connect to the 7th pc to use the shared files/printer. When I browse my
networks from the other pcs, I can see the new pc as part of the workgroup.
But when I'm at the other pcs and I try to open it for Shared Documents or go
to add the printer and try to find the printer through browse for printer, I
get an access denied message. It's like the whole pc is not shared through
the network. How do I change this and allow the other pcs access to the last
pc??

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF / WF, or third party)? If
so, you need to configure them for file sharing. Firewall configurations are a
very common cause of (network) browser, and file sharing, problems.

On any XP Pro computer, check to see if Simple File Sharing (Control Panel -
Folder Options - View - Advanced settings) is enabled or disabled. With XP Pro,
you need to have SFS consistently set on each computer.

On XP Pro with SFS disabled, check the Local Security Policies (Control Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to "Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

On XP Pro with SFS disabled, if you set the above Local Security Policy to
"Guest only", enable the Guest account, using Start - Run - "cmd" - type "net
user guest /active:yes" in the command window. If "Classic", setup and use a
common non-Guest account on all computers. Whichever account is used, give it
an identical, non-blank password on all computers.

On XP Pro with Simple File Sharing enabled, make sure that the Guest account is
enabled, on each computer. Enable Guest, with Start - Run - "cmd", then type
"net user guest /active:yes" in the command window. 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 Simple File Sharing, you'll not be able to access "C:\Program
Files", "C:\Windows", or any of the profile related folders such as "My
Documents". All of those folders require individual user, or administrator
access, and Guest access gives you neither.

On XP Pro, if you're going to use Guest authentication, check your Local
Security Policy (Control Panel - Administrative Tools) - User Rights Assignment,
on the XP Pro computer, and look at "Deny access to this computer from the
network". Make sure Guest is not in the list. Look at "Access this computer
from the network", and make sure that Everyone is in this list.