Cannot Access Network Computer

skyrider · Joined: Sep 18, 2003 Posts: 30

I have a problem accessing a computer on my home network.
I have 3 computers attached to a Belkin router. Computer #1 is an XP Pro machine, computer #2 is an XP Home machine and computer #3 is an XP Pro machine. All 3 are up to date with Windows updates. All 3 are virus/malware free as far as Norton AV 2005, Spybot, AdAware SE, Counterspy and MS AntiSpyware are concerned.
Computer #1 can access #2 and #3.
Computer #2 can access #3.
Computer #3 can access #2.

#2 and #3 cannot access #1 but they can ping #1.
The message they receive is:

"\\#1 is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of the server...blah blah blah".

Since I am the Administrator of all 3 machines, my answer to me is "I don't know how to fix this". It seems that the problem lies with #1 since both machines can ping it but I can't find a way to permit them access.

I have created the user ID/password for both #2 and #3 in #1 and changed the Group Policy to allow connection with NO password. Computer #1 has Simple File Sharing enabled. What else should I check or change? Any suggestions are welcome.

Windows firewall is OFF in all 3. I use Zone Alarm 6.0.631.003 in computer #1 and 5.5.094 in #2 and #3. All computers are in the Trusted zone. If I turn off Zone Alarm in #1, it doesn't help.

skyrider

myob69 · Joined: May 10, 2003 Posts: 936

Computer #1 is an XP Pro machine has this got simple file sharing turn on. If so turn it off and see if this fixes your problem

viknesh · Joined: Apr 20, 2004 Posts: 92

In Folder Options - Turn on simple file sharing and then in the drives properties dialog in the Sharing and Security Select Enable File Sharing, if u have not done the Networking Wizard it will popup complete the wizard (during the wizard check to turn on file sharing) and enter a share name and check if you want the other computer to change ur file and click oK this must solve the problem or else do a upgrade install and must work well

skyrider · Joined: Sep 18, 2003 Posts: 30

surrealist · Joined: Feb 28, 2003 Posts: 1039

Firewall . . . ?

skyrider · Joined: Sep 18, 2003 Posts: 30

Firewall is Zone Alarm 6.0.631.003. All computers are in the Trusted zone. Windows firewall is off.
skyrider

Claymore · Joined: Mar 09, 2005 Posts: 2034

In computer #1 right-click the shared folder(s) and under the Security tab check your Permissions.

surrealist · Joined: Feb 28, 2003 Posts: 1039

skyrider · Joined: Sep 18, 2003 Posts: 30

Claymore · Joined: Mar 09, 2005 Posts: 2034

skyrider · Joined: Sep 18, 2003 Posts: 30

Sorry for the misunderstanding. When I select properties for a shared folder, I see 4 tabs, 'General, Sharing, Web Sharing and Customize", no 'Security'. I will try Safe Mode when I restart.
skyrider2

OK, I restarted in Safe Mode and found the following:

Document and Settings Properties
Share this folder is selected
Share name = Documents
Comment = Blank
User limit = Maximum allowed

When I select the Permissions button the box says 'Everyone'.

Claymore · Joined: Mar 09, 2005 Posts: 2034

I've got a bit of an apology to make. You probably have Simple File Sharing enabled in Explorer => Tools => Folder Options => View - down at the bottom of the list. This hides the Security tab. But "Everyone" should allow access to just that, so it shouldn't be a permission problem.

May I suggest you check out this MS Article to check that you have everything set correctly as far as access and permissions go:

File sharing in XP

And just re-check what Surrealist is saying about Windows Firewall being turned off, and that in Services (Start => Run and type in services.msc) both the Computer Browser and Server services are set at Automatic and Started.

skyrider · Joined: Sep 18, 2003 Posts: 30

myob69 · Joined: May 10, 2003 Posts: 936

See if you can PING PC#1 from the other two PCs.

skyrider · Joined: Sep 18, 2003 Posts: 30

bigblue389 · Joined: Sep 18, 2005 Posts: 1

For what it's worth, I found on my systems (2-XP-Pro, 1-XP-Home) when I use a name such as "DRIVE_C" instead of something like "DESKTOP_C" they won't be seen on the network. Seems it's a "reserved word" in XP.

black_udder · Joined: Sep 27, 2005 Posts: 1

Ok, I've had the same problem and here's what I did to get it working on one pc:

2 pcs on 1 network, same workgroup name, both XP Pro w/SP2

Enabled Netbios over TCP/IP (per MS instructions (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=318030))
Enabled simple file sharing (per MS instructions (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040/))
Right click on the folder I wanted to share, uncheck share this folder, click apply (I then got the whole "setting permissions" wait). Then clicked share this folder and apply again.

I was able to see the folder and access it right away.

I did steps 1 & 2 on both computers. #3 I did only on the pc I was trying to access. Worked for one pc, not the other...

What's weirder is that if I just type \\computer name\folder I can access it.

Maybe it will help.

skyrider · Joined: Sep 18, 2003 Posts: 30

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I had just about given up on this problem when I received Fred Langa's newsletter this morning (http://www.langalist.com/). It contained a solution that someone submitted for a similar problem.

On the computer which cannot be accessed -
Open REGEDIT.
Under HKLM|SYSTEM|CurrentControlSet|Control|Lsa, change the value of "restrictanonymous" to 0 instead of 1 or 2. Don't change "restrictanonymoussam" value. The value should be REG_DWORD and Hexadecimal Base. (That's the default for that key) Restart your computer and access the resources on that PC, it should work properly if restrictanonymous was non-zero.

Instant fix.

Figz · Joined: Jun 25, 2007 Posts: 1

Immu · Joined: Nov 24, 2010 Posts: 1