Author Topic: FURTHER NETWORKING PROBLEMS (Read 1553 times)

Medicate · « **on:** March 19, 2005, 22:09 »

Hi All,

Have just set up a wireless internet connection for both my desktop and laptop pc's. No problems there! The router has given both wireless connections different IP adresses. All working well.

My problem is that after running the set up a wireless network for home or small office and saving the settings onto a thumbdrive and running it on the second pc, I can see my laptop and desktop on the desktop pc but, on the laptop I get the following message when trying to view workgroup computers on the laptop;

(workgroup name) is not accessible. You night not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions.

The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available.

Have I missed something? Both desktop and laptop have unique names, both are part of the same workgroup.

Under view workgroup computers on the desktop, I can see both computers.

I have enabled file and folder sharing on both and enabled printer sharing on the desktop, not the laptop. does it have to be enabled on both?

Have I forgotten to set or reset permissions on my laptop? If so help would be much appreciated.

Phew! must take a breath now!

Sandra · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2005, 23:21 »

Hi Medicate and

I think that if you can see all the other pcs/laptops from each other then the network is set up ok.
I assume that you can access the internet ok from them all ?
If so it needs the file and printer sharing setting up on them all, I dont think you can just share the printer or files, its both or none.
The other thing that stops networks working correctly is often the firewall needs to be set on each pc to allow the others access to each one.
Get back to me if none of this is helpful to you and doesnt solve the problem.
Are you using the same OS on all pcs ?
If its XP its usually fairly straightforward

Medicate · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2005, 23:29 »

Both laptop and desktop are on XP, laptop on XP home, desktop on XP pro.

Both have printer and file sharing enabled.

Both have same workgroup.

Both have individual IP addresses.

Both have individual computer names.

Desktop sees itself and the laptop under view workgroup computers, laptop keeps giving the message as listed in my first post.

Must be something simple I haven't done, but what?

Am busy scratching both head and backside!

Simon · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2005, 23:40 »

Just a guess, but are you signed on as Administrator on both laptop and desktop? You may need to do this, in order to then give the 'user' permission to access the network. As I said just a guess.

Medicate · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2005, 23:44 »

Thought of this one, am signed in as Admin on both whilst setting this up.

Which is why I can't understand the message. Do I have to use the admin tools to set further permissions?

Am using Kerio personal firewall on laptop anf Zonealarm free on desktop.

NOD32 AV on desktop and avast! AV on laptop.

Medicate · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2005, 23:46 »

And internet access is good on both.

Sandra · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2005, 23:50 »

It has to be the firewall/s then.
Have you tried disabling them along with XPs built in one temporarily ?
Although the built in one is usually ok for networking, unless you choose the wrong type of home networking setup initially :?

Medicate · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2005, 23:55 »

But would that give the message as given in my first post?

Will try tomorrow, maybe uninstall kerio and try zone alarm instead, it works on my desktop.

Will let you know if it goes wotsits up afterwards!

Simon · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2005, 00:02 »

Have you got Windows SP2 firewall running as well as the third party ones, on either machine? Best to only use one, usually.

Sandra · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2005, 00:02 »

If a firewall is blocking it then it would give that exact message, I would think as it would be denying access

Medicate · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2005, 00:43 »

Neither machine has the windows firewall running.

Will try sometime on Sunday, not too time critical this, but will uninstall kerio and install zonealarm as it seems to be ok with the network on my desktop.

Will let you know if anything happens.......thanks again.

Sandra · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2005, 00:48 »

Good luck, if it still isnt working run the network wizard again on both pcs but dont bother saving the settings just run it and finish it on each pc, make sure you select the same option on each pc

Medicate · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2005, 20:36 »

Yahoooo!, YeeeeHaaaa!, By George I think I've cracked it!!

Took off kerio personal firewall, after some considerable difficulty, and installed zone alarm free.

Ran the setup wireless network wizard for home and small office on each computer.

Took note of each computer's IP address and entered it into zone alarms trusted zone, clicked apply and, then clicked view computers on network (or something similar) and there both were, on both computers.

Short delay while I set up my printer from the remote laptop and printed a document from my laptop downstairs on my printer upstairs.

I know that it means I have to have both computers on as well as the printer but, I am a happy bunny.

All files shared between both desktop and laptop, so I now have a fully functional home (wireless) network.

Thanks to all who helped, especially Sandra who not only knows her stuff but looks good too! :wink:

Sandra · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2005, 23:19 »

Thank you Medicate

Glad you got it sorted

Medicate · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2005, 00:42 »

Despite being from the wrong side of the pennines!