2 computers on LAN through Linksys router

3 Sep 2006 12:54 AM

Jolendd

I have 2 home computers both using XP pro that I just recently connected
through a router (wired) to access the internet via 1 high speed modem. The
problem is 1 computer can see both shared directories on both computers with
no problem. The other computer shows the computer on the LAN but cannot
access the shared files or printer. It says access is denied. I am fairly
computer literate and have ran the XP network setup a few times. Suggestions
please?

3 Sep 2006 1:39 AM

John Weiss

"Jolendd" <Jole***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote...
>I have 2 home computers both using XP pro that I just recently connected
> through a router (wired) to access the internet via 1 high speed modem.
> The
> problem is 1 computer can see both shared directories on both computers
> with
> no problem. The other computer shows the computer on the LAN but cannot
> access the shared files or printer. It says access is denied. I am fairly
> computer literate and have ran the XP network setup a few times.
> Suggestions
> please?

Workgroup name consistent?

Share permissions consistent on both computers? Username/password
combination common to both computers, with Administrator rights and Share
permissions?

Simple File Sharing disabled?

3 Sep 2006 1:53 AM

Malke

Jolendd wrote:

> I have 2 home computers both using XP pro that I just recently
> connected through a router (wired) to access the internet via 1 high
> speed modem. The problem is 1 computer can see both shared directories
> on both computers with no problem. The other computer shows the
> computer on the LAN but cannot access the shared files or printer. It
> says access is denied. I am fairly computer literate and have ran the
> XP network setup a few times. Suggestions please?

This is most commonly caused by a misconfigured firewall. When you ran
the Network Setup Wizard, (and made sure to enable File & Printer
Sharing) this turned 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

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

3 Sep 2006 3:24 AM

Jolendd

Thanks for the input, I will try your suggestions later on, I did mention
that both computers are XP PRO and the names are consistant. I am using AVG
virus scanner and am not sure if it firewalls anything, I will check.

Show quoteHide quote

"Malke" wrote:

> Jolendd wrote:
>
> > I have 2 home computers both using XP pro that I just recently
> > connected through a router (wired) to access the internet via 1 high
> > speed modem. The problem is 1 computer can see both shared directories
> > on both computers with no problem. The other computer shows the
> > computer on the LAN but cannot access the shared files or printer. It
> > says access is denied. I am fairly computer literate and have ran the
> > XP network setup a few times. Suggestions please?
>
> This is most commonly caused by a misconfigured firewall. When you ran
> the Network Setup Wizard, (and made sure to enable File & Printer
> Sharing) this turned 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
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
>