Re: LAN problem: can't browse network computers

Frankie V. Fernandez, MD wrote:

Thanks for the reply! But wouldn't that mean that i have to re-install
the operating system at least on one computer to have the username and
passwords
identical? I would rather not do that if there are other ways.
What do you mean by the user name and password? I am the administrator
for both computers but used different log in names and passwords for
booting up? Can I instead create users in each computer with the same
name and password?

You most certainly do *not* have to reinstall the operating system!

1. XP Home only authenticates as Guest (Simple Sharing). XP Pro by
default does this but may have been set up differently for you. So go
to the XP Pro machine and *enable* Simple Sharing from the Folders>View
tab.

OR

2. Leave Simple Sharing *disabled* on the Pro machine and create
identical users and passwords (no password - blank - is really a null
password) on both machines. You do this from the User Accounts applet
in Control Panel. You don't need to be logged into that particular user
account to share files either.

3. If you choose to create passwords and identical user accounts, for
convenience you can set the machines to automatically log onto your
account so you don't have to enter the password every time.

Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) -
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm

4. As always, make sure you are only running one firewall and that
whatever firewall you are using is set to allow the Local Area Network
traffic as trusted. Running the Network Setup Wizard enables the XP SP2
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.

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

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Wireless networking XP Pro to XP Home
    ... but i do not wish to create identical user accounts on both computers as the HOME computer is used for my whole family and has 7 user accounts on it... ... You do not need to disable the NIS Firewall; you need to configure it correctly. ... NIS disabled the Windows Firewall but you need to check from Control ... Or simply disable Simple File Sharing on the XP Pro machine as previously suggested. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: seeing another computer on a LAN
    ... I tried to change the user name from "User" to "Administrator" but got the message "An account named 'Administrator' already exists..." ... If you are able to see a user called Administrator on one of the machines in Regular Mode, ... create matching user accounts on both machines. ... Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused by 1) a misconfigured firewall; or 2) inadvertently running two firewalls such as the built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party firewall; and/or 3) not having identical user accounts and passwords on all Workgroup machines; 4) trying to create shares where the operating system does not permit it. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Changing User Name
    ... need to create new user accounts, all named the same or whatever you like. ... start by running the Network Setup Wizard on all machines (see ... by 1) a misconfigured firewall or overlooked firewall (including a stateful ... put all computers in the same Workgroup. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Changing User Name
    ... need to create new user accounts, all named the same or whatever you like. ... start by running the Network Setup Wizard on all machines (see ... by 1) a misconfigured firewall or overlooked firewall (including a stateful ... put all computers in the same Workgroup. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Shared Printer
    ... MVP Malke explains how to network XP computers to permit file and printer sharing: ... Here are general network troubleshooting steps. ... caused by 1) a misconfigured firewall; ... Create matching user accounts and passwords on all machines. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.print_fax)