16 April 2004

I'm asking for help with what has proved to be a problem that goes beyond my capacity to resolve. 

The situation: I have three computers, X,Y, and Z, which are networked in a workgroup.  Two of the computers, X and Z, have Windows XP Professional, whereas the third computer, Y (a Sony VAIO sub-notebook), has XP Home edition.  The wireless network consists of a DSL line connected to a wireless router, with each computer connecting directly to the Internet.  I have configured the firewall (using IP addresses) on each computer to allow communications with the other two.  And each computer allows me to view the other two when I click on "My network places," and each also allows me to see the other two when I click on "View workgroup computers."  Indeed, I can place documents or folders in the "Shared Documents" folder on each of the three computers and open them on the other two.

The Problem: What I am unable to do is select a folder on either computer X or Z, mark it for sharing, and open it on computer Y.  I can view the selected folder on computer Y, but when I try to open it, I get the message that the folder is not accessible, that I might not have permission to use the resource, etc., etc., and that access is denied.  The "SharedDocs" folders on X and Z are accessible from Y, however. 

Furthermore, it is of interest that I can designate a folder "shared" on computer Y and access it from either X or Z.

To sum up, computer Y cannot access folders designated as "shared" on either X or Z, but both X and Z can access folders designated "shared" on computer Y.

Note that I have tried disabling the Firewall—indeed, have disabled the entire Internet protection system—but the problem persists.  

Many thanks for any help you can provide on this one. 

Sincerely—Jim Jones