Network

[Guest]

Greetings !
I have AT LAST managed to get broadband.

And now I have bought a laptop.

AND I have bought a network hub and some cables.

As I type this on the desktop, the laptop is updating the OS.

i.e. I have managed to get broadband to work on both computers at the same
time.

However... I can't get the two computers to talk to each other !

On the laptop, I am told that the desktop is "not accessible. You might not
have permission to use this network resource...."

On the desktop, I get the same message, but referring to the Network !

Help !


Regards

Robin

 

[Guest]

You can't connect two pcs thru the network hardware,the cables needed
are not networking cables.Recently chkd into that but did'nt go any
farther,the
pc shop howver said the cables needed were about 5.00 range....Sorry

 

[Malke]

You can't connect two pcs thru the network hardware,the cables needed
are not networking cables.Recently chkd into that but did'nt go any
farther,the
pc shop howver said the cables needed were about 5.00 range....Sorry

Once again Andrew E. "favors" us with his stunningly stupid "answers".
Of course you can share files between the two computers. The error
message indicates misconfigured firewalls and/or a need to create
identical user accounts and passwords on both machine.

To the OP:

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.

Here are some general networking tips for home/small networks:

1. Configure firewalls on all machines to allow the Local Area Network
(LAN) traffic as trusted. With Windows Firewall, this means allowing
File/Printer Sharing on the Exceptions tab. Normally running the Network
Setup Wizard on XP will take care of this for those machines.The only
"gotcha" is that this will turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you
aren't running a third-party firewall or have an antivirus with
"Internet Worm Protection" (like Norton 2006/07) which acts as a
firewall, then you're fine. With third-party firewalls, I usually
configure the LAN allowance with an IP range. Ex. would be
192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would substitute your correct
subnet. Do not run more than one firewall.

2. With earlier Microsoft operating systems, the name of the Workgroup
didn't matter. Apparently it does with Vista, so put all computers in
the same Workgroup. This is done from the System applet in Control
Panel, Computer Name tab.

3. Create identical user accounts and passwords on all machines. If you
wish a machine to boot directly to the Desktop (into one particular
user's account) for convenience, you can do this. The instructions at
this link work for both XP and Vista:

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

4. If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center:

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
Simple File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it matters
in your situation.

I think it is a good idea to create the identical user
accounts/passwords in any case when Vista machines are involved and it
isn't an onerous task with home/small networks.

5. 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.


Malke

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings !
I have AT LAST managed to get broadband.

And now I have bought a laptop.

AND I have bought a network hub and some cables.

As I type this on the desktop, the laptop is updating the OS.

i.e. I have managed to get broadband to work on both computers at the same
time.

However... I can't get the two computers to talk to each other !

On the laptop, I am told that the desktop is "not accessible. You might not
have permission to use this network resource...."

On the desktop, I get the same message, but referring to the Network !

Help !


Regards

Robin

On each WinXP PC, create local user account(s), with non-blank
password(s), that have the desired access privileges to the desired
shares. Log on to the other PCs using those account(s), and you will be
able to access the designated shares, provided your network is
configured properly. Also, make sure that WinXP's built-in firewall is
disabled on the internal LAN connection.

Usually, WinXP's Networking Wizard makes it simple and painless --
almost entirely automatic, in fact. There's a lot of useful,
easy-to-follow information in WinXP's Help & Support files, and here:

Home Networking
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/howto/homenet/default.asp

Networking Information
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/networking.htm

PracticallyNetworked Home
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/index.htm

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Bruce Chambers]

You can't connect two pcs thru the network hardware,the cables needed
are not networking cables.Recently chkd into that but did'nt go any
farther,the
pc shop howver said the cables needed were about 5.00 range....Sorry

Have you stopped taking your meds, again, Andrew? Where do you get
such utter nonsense?


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Guest]

You can't connect two pcs thru the network hardware....

Thank you for taking the trouble to respond.


Regards

Robin

 

[Guest]

Once again Andrew E. "favors" us with his stunningly stupid "answers".
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

I really didn't expect to see "flames" in here - you disappoint me.

 

[Guest]

Have you stopped taking your meds, again, Andrew? Where do you get
such utter nonsense?

I really didn't expect to see "flames" in here - you disappoint me.

 

[Guest]

Of course you can share files between the two computers.

;-) That's what I thought....

The error message indicates misconfigured firewalls

That's rather what I thought...

and/or a need to create
identical user accounts and passwords on both machine.

Erm... SHHH ! Neither is password protected at the moment - I thought that
would be one less hurdle !

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;

"Been there, done that" - totally screwed up my computer....

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.

There, perhaps, lies a clue....

1. Configure firewalls on all machines to allow the Local Area Network
(LAN) traffic as trusted. With Windows Firewall, this means allowing
File/Printer Sharing on the Exceptions tab. Normally running the Network
Setup Wizard on XP will take care of this for those machines.The only
"gotcha" is that this will turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you
aren't running a third-party firewall or have an antivirus with
"Internet Worm Protection" (like Norton 2006/07) which acts as a
firewall, then you're fine.

Well.... I thought I had permitted file/printer sharing, but I was very wary
about this, for my understanding is that, once one's other computer has
access, so, too, does the entire Internet community !

2. With earlier Microsoft operating systems, the name of the Workgroup
didn't matter. Apparently it does with Vista, so put all computers in
the same Workgroup. This is done from the System applet in Control
Panel, Computer Name tab.

I'm running XP Media Center [sic] on both.

3. Create identical user accounts and passwords on all machines.

Does "none" fall into this category, I wonder.... ?

If you
wish a machine to boot directly to the Desktop (into one particular
user's account) for convenience, you can do this.

..... but only by specifying an "account" ! AFAICS, you can't skip the
password screen if you have no password to enter !

4. If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center:

That's me !

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
Simple File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it matters
in your situation.

I think it is a good idea to create the identical user
accounts/passwords in any case when Vista machines are involved and it
isn't an onerous task with home/small networks.

5. 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.

Thank you for that - I'll give it another go....

Thank you for taking the trouble to respond.

 

[Guest]

On each WinXP PC, create local user account(s), with non-blank
password(s), that have the desired access privileges to the desired
shares.

That implies that what you suggest won't work unless a password is installed
- is that so ?

Log on to the other PCs using those account(s), and you will be
able to access the designated shares, provided your network is
configured properly.

That last phrase is the nub !

Also, make sure that WinXP's built-in firewall is
disabled on the internal LAN connection.

Done that...

Usually, WinXP's Networking Wizard makes it simple and painless --
almost entirely automatic, in fact.

Well, that's what I had hoped - but it didn't work !

There's a lot of useful,
easy-to-follow information in WinXP's Help & Support files, and here:

Thank you for those links - I'll give 'em a go....

Thank you for taking the trouble to respond.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I really didn't expect to see "flames" in here - you disappoint me.

Aw, shucks..... Would you rather we let obviously irrelevant and often
deliberately harmful posts from trolls stand without warning newbies?


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Bruce Chambers]

That implies that what you suggest won't work unless a password is installed
- is that so ?

In my experience, yes.





--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Brian A.]

Greetings !
I have AT LAST managed to get broadband.

And now I have bought a laptop.

AND I have bought a network hub and some cables.

As I type this on the desktop, the laptop is updating the OS.

i.e. I have managed to get broadband to work on both computers at the same
time.

However... I can't get the two computers to talk to each other !

On the laptop, I am told that the desktop is "not accessible. You might not
have permission to use this network resource...."

On the desktop, I get the same message, but referring to the Network !

Help !


Regards

Robin

A password is not required to share on your LAN, neither is having to create a user
account that's the same on all machines. However password protected accounts are the
safe route to take. You have enough info in the responses you've received to
configure your network properly but there is one point I believe was missed. You
mentioned purchasing a Hub to use for your LAN, you should return it and get a good
NAT router. A Hub is not the best choice of any kind to use as a gateway or for
traffic. Hub's are basically one way communication devices and collisions are prone
to happen if traffic is going in both directions, it's like driving the wrong way on
a 2 lane highway and trying to avoid all oncoming traffic. Routers and switches are
both two way traffic devices with the one big difference between the two is a NAT
router has a built in firewall, in essence a router is a switch with security.

You'll have a better maintainable network and security using a router rather than a
Hub.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I really didn't expect to see "flames" in here - you disappoint me.

I completely understand your point of view, and like you, I dislike
flaming in this or any other newsgroup. But here is the problem:
Andrew E. *is* a well-know troll in these Windows XP newsgroups, who
has distinguished himself by repeatedly posting misleading, erroneous,
and sometimes downright harmful advice here. We all began by politely
correcting his errors, often even pointing him to Microsoft web sites
proving him wrong. He repeatedly ignores the corrections, never
responds to the person who corrected him, neither defending his point
of view nor acknowledging his error. He just continues to post the
same erroneous nonsense again and again.

What do you suggest we do? We could simply ignore him, but to do so
would be a disservice to people like you who come here for the first
time, know nothing about his posting history, and possible believe his
misinformation. Worst case, you could do irreparable damage to your
computer by following his advice. So you may see Bruce's and Malke's
replies as flames, but in truth, their purpose is not so much to flame
Andrew, but to protect you from the misinformation he spreads.

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM]

I really didn't expect to see "flames" in here - you disappoint me.

Sorry, but Andrew E. is a regular poster of wrong and often harmful advice.