I'm trying to network two pc's: a laptop and a desktop. They "see" each other, but won't let me access each others files. I've tried tons of things.

Any quick ideas?

Or web resources I may scour?

Thank you!

Oh: Here is the error message I'm getting:

"[my computer] is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this newtork resource. Contact the adminstrator of this server to find out if you have access permissins."

Here's what I've tried:

• Turning firewalls off.
  
• Enabling some weird protocol in some weird place I can't recall at the moment. (ah, here it is: "NWLink IPX/SPX?NetBios blah blah blah"
  
• Toggling "Use simple file sharing (Recommended)" on and off (in vew menu of Folder options.
  
• making sure that "Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network" is NOT checked
  
• Something else...can't remember

And this is the world of PC's. If Apples don't do this...I'm sold!!!???!!!

Old Apples didn't. Not sure how OSX acts, since it's more akin to Unix than Appletalk...anyway.

Do you know the administrator account password? If so:

Map a drive on one computer to the other. Rightclick MyComputer...map network drive...path= "\\othercomputername\c$" (insert something other than C if you want a drive other than the root C drive. Check the box for "connect using other credentials"--it will prompt for username/password. Type:

Username= "other computername\administrator"
Password= whatever you set the admin password to

This assumes you're running WinXp or 2k...or NT4, but that's highly unlikely.

These are hidden default admin only shares that will give you access to the root of C.

I could go into depth on why, but that would be too much like my day job.

And yes...make sure the POS firewall is off on both. Nothing else should be needed.

Thanks Pops!

I tried it, but got this message: "The drive could not be mapped because no network was found."

Hmmm...what constitutes the "other computername"? Is it the name under user accounts; or is it the name assigned when creating the network??????!!!!????

Hmmm....just che"cked under system properties and I guess it's the later, becuase that's what appears after "Full computer name:" on the system properties, computer name muenu. Though when I use this computer name, I don't get even to the above error message. I get instead: "The network folder specified is currently mapped using a different user name and password."

Oh well!

quote:

becuase that's what appears after "Full computer name:" on the system properties, computer name muenu

Yes, that's the computer name.

How are they networked physically?

My personal laptop and desktop are hooked to a Westell router/modem thingee through ethernet. (Actually, the laptop also has a wireless card.) These are the puters I'm trying to network. There's a 2nd laptop (for work) that is hooked to the router/modem also, but I don't want to include this puter in the network (and can't, I don't think...don't have administrative privileges).

quote:

Westell router/modem thingee

So...you have a modem...and a router...or this is some sort of combo unit? I've never seen one.

Do you know how to get the IP address for the machine(s)? Have you tried Start, run, \\IPaddressofothermachine +enter?

It's a combo router/modem.

I've assigned the IP addresses.

When I did what you just suggested, I got same message as when I try to access the other computer the old way, that is: "\\192.168.1.41 is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network. Blah blah blah."

And mapping a drive using the other (admin) credentials? But, this time by IP?

I reread that error...the connection already existing with a different username...I see that sometimes at work. Usually means there's an open pipe using, for example, the normal user's creds to the same place. If you rightclick My Computer and "manage"...can you see any incoming connections?

quote:

Originally posted by Popmann:
And mapping a drive using the other (admin) credentials? But, this time by IP?

Okay, I tried folder = \\192.168.1.41\c$
and Login info:
Username: 192.168.1.41\administrator
Password: ********

I toggled "Reconnect at login" off.

I got: "The network folder specified is currently mapped using a different user name and password. To onnect using a different user name and password, first disconnect any existing pammpings to this network share."

quote:

Originally posted by Popmann:
I reread that error...the connection already existing with a different username...I see that sometimes at work. Usually means there's an open pipe using, for example, the normal user's creds to the same place. If you rightclick My Computer and "manage"...can you see any incoming connections?

Where do I look for incoming connections? I can't tell.

Rightclick myComp>manage>shared folder>sessions

Just FYI...that may have worked or may not, but I'd use the real "othercomputername\administrator" for credentials. Just use the IP to avoid name resolution issues on the networking side.

You know...isn't there a default shared folder? I'll have to go look at the wife's...I think she's got a shared docs folder that I don't remember sharing...but, I've dropped stuff in it before.

This may sound like a dumb question at this point, but, these are installed as workgroup computers in the same workgroup...right?

quote:

Originally posted by Popmann:
Rightclick myComp>manage>shared folder>sessions

I get: "There are not items to show in this view."

quote:

You know...isn't there a default shared folder? I'll have to go look at the wife's...I think she's got a shared docs folder that I don't remember sharing...but, I've dropped stuff in it before.

Yes, there is. I've put stuff in there. Then renamed it. It's still showing, but I can't access these. Hmm.....maybe these need to be cleared out.

quote:

This may sound like a dumb question at this point, but, these are installed as workgroup computers in the same workgroup...right?

I think so. I can see both computer's (and their network names...or whatever it's called), when I go to My Network Places> Entire network> Microsoft Windows Network

This is true on both computers.

Yesterday, when I was just starting to muck with this, the laptop was briefly able to share folders with the desktop (though vice versa didn't work). Then I did something, and neither can share or view the others files.

What happens if you just put the built in "everyone" group in the administrators group on both machines?

BTW...under "network identification" is where you can tell--it's either workgroup or domain. If it's XP home, you may not even have those settings, as I'm pretty sure being a domain member isn't possible.

quote:

Originally posted by Popmann:
What happens if you just put the built in "everyone" group in the administrators group on both machines?

Uh...huh? What is the "everyone" group, and what is the "administrators" group? Where do I find these?

quote:

Originally posted by Popmann:
BTW...under "network identification" is where you can tell--it's either workgroup or domain. If it's XP home, you may not even have those settings, as I'm pretty sure being a domain member isn't possible.

Where is "network identification"?

Also, I'm running XP Pro on both machiens.

Here's some interesting info:

When I run IP Config in the command prompt I get to IP Addresses for my laptop:

"Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
connection-specific DNS Suffix.:
IP Address.....................: 192.168.1.47
Subnet Mask....................: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway................: 192.168.1.1

Ethernet adapter Network Connection:
connection-specific DNS Suffix.: myhome.westell.com
IP Address.....................: 192.168.1.46
Subnet Mask....................: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway................: 192.168.1.1 "

Also, when I got to my modem's IP address with my browser, and check "Advanced LAN>DNS" I see that I have the following under "User Assigned DNS"

"Domain Name: myhome.westell.com:

Also, I see under "Discovered Local Devices:" "fox_laptop 192.168.1.46."

fox_laptop is also the name I've given to the computer at the assigned IP address 192.168.1.47"

Hmmm...is this getting somewhere???

quote:

Where is "network identification"?

Same place you found the computer name...button say "network ID".

Can you tell the modem to use the ISP's DNS? That user DNS entry that's incorrect MAY prevent you from getting to it via name...but, I still am trying to figure out how you already have a pipe open to the other computer with different credentials. When you look at the protocols you have installed on the network adapters--IP, and...? Allow Netbios over IP checked?

quote:

Same place you found the computer name...button say "network ID".

Got it. Thanks.

quote:

Can you tell the modem to use the ISP's DNS?

I bet I can, but 2 things:
1. Where do I do this? Is it under "User assigned DNS> Domain Name: [now reading] 'myhome.westell.com'" [This can be changed.] Or is it elsewhere?
2. What is the ISP's DNS? Is this something that is identified on my computer now? Or will I need to contact Verizon?

quote:

When you look at the protocols you have installed on the network adapters--IP, and...?

I think the following (if this is what you mean; all under the General tab of Local Area Connection Properites):
Client for MS Networks
File and Printer Sharing for MS Netweks
NWLink NetBIOS
NWLink IPZ/SPZ/NetBIOS Compatible Transfor Protocol
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

quote:

Allow Netbios over IP checked?

Is this in the above list somehow? Or is it elsewhere?

Also, in the Computer Name tab (under sytem properties) I see these choices (after Full computer name and Workgroup):
"To use the network Identification Wizard to join a domain and create a local user account, click Network ID {Network ID [button]}

To rename this computer or join a domain, click Change {Change...[button]}"
"To use the Netw

Netbios over IP is...probably on advanced TCP/IP settings/properties somewhere.

Sorry...the Wizard isn't the way to go...the "change" button is what will tell you if it's a workgroup or domain. Chances are it's not a domain, but it will tell you what the workgroup name is...

If YOU have never assigned that "user defined DNS", don't change anything. That must be something the ISP set up. It shouldn't metter when connecting by IP anyway.

I don't know man. I'm lost. This shouldn't be this hard. You know the admin password on both machines, and are internally addressed. the fact that you've manually assigned addresses is a little bothersome, but...if they both get out to the internet fine, the IP stacks must be done right.