Cannot access desktop on wireless network

Ravik:

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not sure I completely understand. On the desktop, I did right click "My Documents," then Properties, and then the "Sharing" tab. Then I checked "Share this folder on the Network." But the laptop still can't access this folder on the desktop computer. Is there something I should be doing on the laptop in addition to what I have already done?

Thanks again for your help.

                      Bob

Windows XP cannot share any folder under Documents and Settings folder except the Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents folder, which is shared by default as the Shared Documents folder.  See if you can access the Shared Documents folder from another computer.   Similarly, Windows will not share anything under the C:\Windows folder and under the C:\Program Files folder.  Any other folder can be shared so try sharing a folder outside of these folders and see if you can access them from another computer.

Steve

Steve:

I see your point and will try a different folder. But on the laptop, when I select the desktop computer and click on shared documents, I get the shared documents on the laptop and not the ones on the desktop. When I first read the directions, none of this seemed too hard, but it sure seems to be getting confusing fast. Then again, my 56 year old mind ain't what it used to be!

Thanks again to all for your help. I'll let you know how it goes.

                                   Bob

Steve:

I tried using a folder outside of the XP excluded ones you mentioned earlier. Still no dice on the laptop. When I click on the desktop computer in the workgroup on the laptop, nothing from the desktop shared folders shows up. I just get the shared folders from the laptop. Did I set up the workgroup wrong for this network? If I want to start over, aside from messing with the router settings since the internet connections for both desktop and laptop are working fine, how do I do that? And what about the printers? Same thing happens. When I try to see what printers from the desktop are shared, all I get is the thing listed on the laptop. I must be a big dolt. Am I even doing the process right in terms of trying to access the desktop shared folders from the laptop? I know the eventual solution will be easy and one of those "Kick me I should have thought of that right away" type of things, but right now it sure is frustrating!

Are both computers in the same workgroup?  Are you sure file and printer sharing are enabled on the desktop?  Is the Windows firewall still running?  If it is, make sure that File and Printer Sharing is checked off on the exceptions tab of the Windows firewall.

Steve

Steve:

Yes to everything: windows firewall is disabled, file and printer sharing is enabled, and both computers are in the same workgroup. Still nothing.

                              Bob

Ravik:

Yes, I do have Norton Antivirus. Actually, I have Norton Internet Security 2005, which, as you know, includes Norton Firewall and Antivirus. Up to now, I have only been shutting off the Norton Firewall. Later today or this evening, I will try shutting off both the firewall and antivirus and see what happens. If that doesn't work, do you think I should try to create a new workgroup with these two computers using the wizard and starting with the desktop first? How do I get rid of the old workgroup that I set up that now does not work properly?

Thanks again for your help. I learn more from these forums than from any of the knowledge articles, which, ironically, I usually don't fully understand!

                         Bob

Ravik:

I just tried your latest suggestions: I disabled Norton Firewall and Anti-virus, and I configured the "C" drive to be shared on the network. Still nothing. I keep getting this message: "[This computer, the desktop] is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. Access is denied." I don't understand this at all since I set it up, I am the administrator, and I don't remember any window asking me to limit or set up any kind of restrictions or permissions. This is really starting to bug the heck out of me. This shouldn't be that hard! I want to be able to share my files and printers on and connected to my desktop from anywhere in the house from the laptop. My wife will be working from home soon, and I really need to get this thing up and running. I'm all ears for any other ideas!

And once again, thanks to you and Steve for taking so much of your time to try to help me.

                                                   Bob

Norton Intenet Security has been known to cause problems even when disabled.   Try completely uninstalling the program and see if it solves the problem.  Norton Antivirus should not be interfering.  In almost every case I now, the message you are getting is due to an improperly configured firewall.

Steve

Steve:

Ok. Since it is 12:30 at night here and I'm fading fast, I'll give it a shot tomorrow. A couple of related questions: If uninstalling Internet Security 2005 solves the problem, can I, or even should I, then reinstall Internet Security after I get the thing working? Also, what would you recommend to replace Internet Security's firewall and anti-virus?

Again, thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

                                    Bob

Yes, you should definitely reinstall Norton Internet Security.  Just do some reading and make sure you know how to configure it properly.  I seriously doubt that the antivirus software is causing the problem, so don't uninstall that unless you have to has part of the uninstalling of the Internet Security.  Get the antivirus back up and running as soon as possible.  You do not want to have a virus to deal with in addtion to your other problem.

Steve