[kickrz]

We just got a laptop and are trying to network it to our main computer. Sometimes the information is on the main computer and sometimes not. We can't get the laptop to access the main computer at all. There is an internet connection on both but the files just aren't there.

I am sure there is a ton of info that you will need to help but since I am new to this I have no clue what you all need to know.
Main Computer we are running XP pro and the laptop is XP home.


Thanks for any and all help!

 

[diablo75]

The first thing you'll want to do is make sure both computers are on the same workgroup.

To do this, go to your control panel and open up System.

Click on the "computer name" tab.

By default, the workgroup name is "WORKGROUP". It would be a good idea (for security purposes) to change this to something else, and make it the same on both comptuers.

Once you've done this, you'll want to enable file sharing.

The easiest way to do this is to right click on a folder or hard drive that you would like to share with the other computer, and cilck "Sharing..."

Click the enable box, it'll warn you with a "Do you want to do this" and you say "just do it", and that's about it.

Now... These two PC's will need to be connected to each other directly through a switch or router for this to work. If you are wanting to share resources between the two over the internet...that's a whole other can of worms...

 

[kickrz]

Ok I have done all this and I can see on the main computer the laptop info BUT on the laptop I cannot get the Main computer information. I want to be able to access everything on my laptop that I can on the Main one.

 

[Bob Cerelli]

Make sure you can ping the main computer by both IP address and Name. If this doesn't work, try removing any firewall software on the main computer until you do.

Then since the main computer is XP Pro, make sure you have the same user id and password on it that is being used on the XP Home computer. Also the default setting for XP Pro is to require a password for network access.

 

[kickrz]

ping..all is well!

Ok so do I NEED a password because as it is now they are both the same name..no password and both admin?!

 

[Bob Cerelli]

Although you can log in locally without a password, by default, WindowsXP Pro does not allow network users to access the computer without a password.

To change this setting:

1. Run gpedit.msc
2. Go to Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Security Settings / Local Policies / Security Options
3. Double click on Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console login only
4. Disable this option

 

[kickrz]

Ok I did that and I still cannot access the main computer from the laptop.

 

[Bob Cerelli]

Can you give any more information:

1. Can you see the main computer from the desktop?
2. What did you share on the main computer?
3. What error message do you get?

 

[kickrz]

Ok my main computer I can see the laptop and the info on my main computer when I go to view workgroups..so they are both there.
On the laptop when I open workgroups I see is the laptop files and the main computer BUT can't access it..I get an error that says

"\\downstairs is not accessible. you might not have permission to use this network resource.
Contact the administrator of this server to find out if yuou have access permissions

I chose all drives C, D and E to share with the laptop.

Thanks for the quick replies we have been messing with this far too long already!!!

 

[kickrz]

Just a quick question..Would it have been easier to be running pro on both? I just read somewhere that the home edition wasn't really "made" for networking...justwanted to get your opinion on that.

Thanks again

 

[Bob Cerelli]

XP Home networks just fine.

Try sharing just a folder rather than the entire drive.

 

[kickrz]

Well same thing access denied

 

[kickrz]

ok tried to share just a file and I get the same error message..

Boy is this ever a pain the rump. Any other sugg

 

[Bob Cerelli]

Might try turning on simple file sharing.

 

[kickrz]

simple file sharing option is turned on..

 

[Bob Cerelli]

Ok..next step.

This has helped others as well

Start Regedit
Go to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa]

Create a DWORD key called "restrictanonymous"
with a value of 00000000
Reboot

 

[kickrz]

there is already a file as such and it has a value of 0. there are 2 of them they are both the same

 

[Bob Cerelli]

There can't be two of them exactly the same. Are you sure the other one isn't "restrictanonymoussam"

 

[Bob Cerelli]

And to confirm, you have absolutely no firewall software installed?

 

[kickrz]

yes you are right. there was only one. i left the restrictanonymussam at 1. there is no firewall installed at all. Do i have to do this all on my main computer also