workgroup of 2 pcs. getting access denied msg. v. frustrating!!

[Paul]

I've just done a fresh install of xp on two pc's. lets call them a and b.
I have them connected via two NICS and a 5 port switch. The hardware is new
and has been proven to work.

I have run the network wizard to setup a simple workgroup. computer a can
see computer b in "view network computers".

Computer b can see computer a in "view network computers".

Computer a can access the shared folders on computer b, but computer b
cannot access the shared folders on computer a. when I double click on the
computer a icon within "view network computers" I get the message: //a is
inaccessible. you might not have permission to view this.... pls conact your
network admin.. access is denied.

however, when using computer b, I can still access the shared internet
connection on computer a.

I have enabled simple file sharing on both pc's. after some research on
google last night I believe this problem might have something to do with
the login on computer b. when I installed xp on computer a and booted for
the first time, I was not prompted for a password. on computer b I booted
to the welcome screen on my first boot and was required to enter the admin
password. as far as I know I typed an admin password into both machines when
setting up xp.

if anyone knows the solution to this I would be very greatful or if anyone
can direct me to a good resource for solving this problem I would be very
greatful.
I

 

[NoNuts]

Hi Paul

I know that i got the same problem when i installed a fresh copy of win 2000
on 2 PC's and didnt define any password (hit return under installation) for
either and was 'logged in' as 'administrator' on both.

A could browse B just fine, both no dize the other way around, but after i
made a new user (with same name+password) on both machines and made them
member of 'administrators' => problem solved !

If you dont want to use the login screen (want autologon) here's a link for
a fix :
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en;310584

Hope it helps

 

[johnsuth]

I've just done a fresh install of xp

If you have kept your previous settings then you have probably kept your
previous problems. (you did not say)

on two pc's. lets call them a and b.
I have them connected via two NICS and a 5 port switch. The hardware is new
and has been proven to work.

I have run the network wizard

As you have probably realised by now, the wizard is not much help.
I found it necessary to manually configure Windows.

to setup a simple workgroup. computer a can
see computer b in "view network computers".

Computer b can see computer a in "view network computers".

Computer a can access the shared folders on computer b, but computer b
cannot access the shared folders on computer a. when I double click on the
computer a icon within "view network computers" I get the message: //a is
inaccessible. you might not have permission to view this.... pls conact your
network admin.. access is denied.

I suspect that the \All Users\Shared Documents folder is not shared
until there is something in it. (not yet sure though)
I suspect that guest users cannot access any shares. (you did not say)

however, when using computer b, I can still access the shared internet
connection on computer a.

This proves little because Internet access is unrelated to shared
folders.

I have enabled simple file sharing on both pc's. after some research on
google last night I believe this problem might have something to do with
the login on computer b. when I installed xp on computer a and booted for
the first time, I was not prompted for a password. on computer b I booted
to the welcome screen on my first boot and was required to enter the admin
password. as far as I know I typed an admin password into both machines when
setting up xp.

I did a clean install of XP the other day and was not asked for a
password on the first boot. I volunteered to give the user a password
from Control Panel\Users.

if anyone knows the solution to this I would be very greatful or if anyone
can direct me to a good resource for solving this problem I would be very
greatful.

I have had the same problems and searched the www for a good resource,
but without success.
I have summarised instructions for setting up networking in 74 lines,
but it is cryptic and specific to my requirements. As I still have some
problems it is obviously not complete. I have not published it.

I suggest you start by learning the purpose of, and difference
between NetBios (a.k.a. NetBuei) and TCP/IP. Next learn the command
line language, specifically the NET commands, and use it.

Sorry I can't be of more help.