Lan Connection Problem, Sharing 2 PCs

[nina_p20]

I've got a strange problem, need help please !!! (WinXP SP1)
I have 2 PCs, that are sharing the Internet. I'm connected to ADSL.
At the main (Master pc) - I'll call it "A" I have 2 network adapters, one for connecting to the ADSL modem, and the second to connect to my second PC (slave) and I'll call it "B". I can conect from EACH of the PCs to the internet, and I can log in from A to B and transfer files. I want to log in from B to A to transfer files too, and I could do it yesterday, but today I got a message "access denied".
If I'm doing a search from B to A, I can see both PCs, but -as I wrote - cannot log in to A even the HDs are shared. (So my printer)
The popup I got: \\"A" is not accessible. you might not have permission to use this network resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. Access is denied.
I haven't do any change, it just hapened ...
I'm not firewired.

I'll be very thankful for an advice

TIA

[YvetteKuhns]

I've got a strange problem, need help please !!! (WinXP SP1)
I have 2 PCs, that are sharing the Internet. I'm connected to ADSL.
At the main (Master pc) - I'll call it "A" I have 2 network adapters, one for connecting to the ADSL modem, and the second to connect to my second PC (slave) and I'll call it "B". I can conect from EACH of the PCs to the internet, and I can log in from A to B and transfer files. I want to log in from B to A to transfer files too, and I could do it yesterday, but today I got a message "access denied".

Okay, both PCs have Windows XP, both share the Internet and both share files. But now you get the access denied message.

If I'm doing a search from B to A, I can see both PCs, but -as I wrote - cannot log in to A even the HDs are shared. (So my printer)
The popup I got: \\"A" is not accessible. you might not have permission to use this network resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. Access is denied.
I haven't do any change, it just hapened ...
I'm not firewired.

You can see A from B but you cannot login. You said you did not change anything, but... do you have Windows updates automatically enabled? This could change your settings including the network settings. Double-check the Network Properties and make sure your Primary Network Logon is correct for both computers. Mine is Client for Microsoft Networks.

You know that you have to see the little hand under the icon for shared folders, drives or whatever. I don't usually share entire partitions (anymore), because my son likes to relocate files! :rolleyes:

[jschein]

Access denied message between two pc errors is usually the cause of not having a username account on one pc.

For example

Computer A:
Login: Timothy

Computer B:
Login: Sally

That requires the username account Sally with the same password to be created on Computer A.

Also for username account Timothy to be created on Computer B if you wanted access from a to b.


Also check to make sure you have folder sharing enabled. Along with the permissions for those usernames to have access.

[nina_p20]

Thank you Yvette,

make sure your Primary Network Logon is correct for both computers
I'm not sure I've understood this point...
I have on both PCs: Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Printer sharing for Microsoft Networks
QoS Packet Scheduler
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

Where is my "Primary Network Logon" ? I cannot find it.
The "little hand" (Sharing) is on my D: F: and G: drives.
It's on my "Network Connections" too, on the icon that shows the Internet connection.
I have there 3 Icons (on the main PC): 1 for the LAN (not shared), 1 for the NIC that is connected to the external modem (not shared) and 1 that is WAN Miniport PPPOE (Shared)
I have no Windows updates automatically enabled, but did a virus check and it found some nasties, maybe this ws the reason....
Cheers,
Nina

[intelboy15]

all of this could be so much easier with a $10 network router/hub. Get one at www.newegg.com.
I can understand the little money you end up saving, but sometimes the frustrations are enough to make up for the money you save. I hope you get your sharing files problem fixed :)

[jschein]

as I stated above, ensure you have user accounts with the same name and password on each pc...

Open control panel... goto ACCOUNTS

Create usernames used to log onto each pc on the other computer...

Then right click the folder, goto sharing and add that user.

[YvetteKuhns]

I have no Windows updates automatically enabled, but did a virus check and it found some nasties, maybe this ws the reason....

Yes, this can definitely affect your network settings. After getting rid of that stuff, double check your Network properties again. Good luck! :)

[nina_p20]

Thanx again Yvette, but of course I've rechecked several times my network properties.
I think that the problem is an administrative one, as the message i've got:
\\"A" is not accessible. you might not have permission to use this network resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. Access is denied shows IMHO a problem that is not connected to the network properties, but to permissions.
Cheers,
Nina

[IanS]

Thanx again Yvette, but of course I've rechecked several times my network properties.
I think that the problem is an administrative one, as the message i've got:
shows IMHO a problem that is not connected to the network properties, but to permissions.
Cheers,
NinaYou've said you're not firewired (sic) I assume firewalled is the term you meant. The sort of problem you're experiencing is common with firewalls so I'd check the Windows firewall is turned off as well as any Third Party firewall.

Once you've done that, then check your access.

If things work, then the problem is identified.

As you've said they're both used for internet access I'd then suggest you find out how to use a firewall to be on the safe side and set yourself behind one on each machine, with permission given to each to access through the firewall.

I agree with the suggestion earlier, your task can be made much simpler and your network expandable by use of a router.

[nina_p20]

Thanx, yes, I ment firewalled, I've just dealed with a firewire device on my third PC... :o (I have to smoke better stuff.....LOL :D )
I've just solved the problem on an easy way:
I've just reinstalled the "File and Printer sharing for Microsoft Networks" (took off the V, rebooted and put it on again).

It works like a charm now :)

Thanx again all !!!

Regards,
Nina

[YvetteKuhns]

I've just reinstalled the "File and Printer sharing for Microsoft Networks" (took off the V, rebooted and put it on again).

I just set up another hard drive where the File and Printer sharing was checked, then I updated Microsoft Windows and they messed up my settings. I didn't know why desktop 2 would not appear on desktop 1, but when I double checked, I saw that it didn't match the first computer anymore. I knew I had them checked, but anything can change it.

Sometimes you just have to put the Windows CD back in there if you RENAME your computer for the network. I had made the old desktop 2 be desktop 1 when I upgraded it, so desktop 1 is now desktop 2. That is always fun. ;)

[tenndevil]

next time it happens do the easy thing, tools, folder options, then select the view tab, scroll to the bottom of the window and tick, "enable simple file sharing", that should fix the problem.

[patrickpawlowsk]

next time it happens do the easy thing, tools, folder options, then select the view tab, scroll to the bottom of the window and tick, "enable simple file sharing", that should fix the problem.

I'm not familiar with this setting. What exactly does it do? I do know that configuring an xp machine with it's dumbed down sharing tab can be a PITA. IMO it's much easier with a machine that is on a domain.

[tenndevil]

IMO it's much easier with a machine that is on a domain. It dumbs it down even further, unlike being on a domain, if this setting is enabled it removes the barriers a domain uses, ie...user groups and or a password. Basically this setting will allow everyone when not using a domain, when not using a domain it's easier to start here to build a share (simple home network). It's a little more involved than that but this keeps it simple. If both computers can see each other but the share isn't working properly, I find this a good place to start.

[patrickpawlowsk]

I did a little empirical testing after I posted. I was familiar with both versions of the share interface although I hadn't seen the simpler version for awhile because I'm always working on domain machines now. Personally, I like the more advanced version, but that's just because I am used to it and understand it. I hadn't realized until now that there was a way to turn it on and off. However, once the machine is on a domain, the setting apparently has no affect. You always get the more advanced version. Thanks for pointing this out though. It will now doubt come in handy in the future and it's nice to have the mystery of why it's different sometimes solved.