Home LAN connectivity issue

Question

Posted the message below last week, got one response which suggested modifying the IRPStackSize in the registry. Tried that and it did not fix my problem. Anyone else have suggestions? New Dimension E521, hardwired network through router. All PC's on my network are running XP, SP2. I am not running a firewall on any of my router connected PC's as I have had 2 IT guys tell me a router is a very good firewall and I should not have multiple firewalls active. Am running Norton AV only, no firewall. I can see and open files on any and all other PC's on the network from the E521. I have setup E521 files for sharing and I can see E521 'folders' from any other networked PC, BUT, I can't open any file inside the shared folders on the E521 from any networked PC. Error dialog box that I get when I try to open E521 files on netwrok \Stevedell521\folder is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. Not enough server storage is available to process this command. I am set up as Administrator. Any ideas on what setting might be causing this. Again, I CAN see folders on the E521 on the network BUT can't open them. Thanks

volcano11 · Answer

Are you absolutely, 100% sure that there are no firewalls at all running on the E521?  All new Dell computers ship with some kind of firewall program installed.  Did you uninstall the security software that came with the computer?  99.99% of the time, you get the message you are getting because a firewall has not been properly configured to allow local network access.    Steve

stone4 · Answer

Thanks for reply.
Windows Firewall has been disabled/turned off - I did that immediately upon receipt of the PC from Dell. To my knowledge there are no other firewalls running. What might you be referring to when you say Dell Security Software that comes on all new Dell PC's?
Thanks

volcano11 · Answer

It is usually Norton Internet Security or McAfee Security Center.  It could be something else because Dell changes these options frequently and I have not bought a computer from Dell in over a year.   Both Norton and McAfee have firewall programs that installed by default and that by default block local network access.   Steve

stone4 · Answer

Thanks again,
My Dell forced McAfee to install when it first arrived - I had no choice, which of course did not set well with me. I installed and immediately un-installed. It no longer shows in CP>Install/Un-Install listing, but who knows what hooks might still be in the registry?
Steve

volcano11 · Answer

See if the following helps you get rid of any remaining McAfee stuff:   http://ts.mcafeehelp.com/?siteID=1&resolution=1440x900   Steve

stone4 · Answer

Thanks again,
I ran the McAfee removal tool on my PC. It ran in a DOS window and I could not tell if it actually removed any files, but that did not resolve my probelm. I still can see my PC Shared folders on my home network, but I can't open the files in them. Any other ideas? You suggestions are much appreciated.

Also, just to clear up the firewall issue, I am running a hardware firewall only (router) - no software firewalls. I run Norton, but their AV program only. I never purchased or installed their total protection package, which includes firewall.

I do run Spysweeper on all my Internet connected PC's and have never had a problem with that program - doubt it is in my problem loop.
Steve

volcano11 · Answer

Does this occur on all shared folders or just one?  Have you tried sharing the whole drive (temporarily) and see if you can access folders on the drive (note that if you share the C: drive you cannot sucessfully share the Windows folder (and its subfolders), the Program Files folder (and its subfolders), and anything under Documents and Settings, except the All Users\Documents folder (which is the same as the Shared Documents folder).     You can also try unsharing the folders, rebooting, and re-sharing the folders and see if that works.   Steve

stone4 · Answer

Yes, it occurs on all shared folders.
Yes, I have tried sharing the entire C: drive
I've also tried unsharing, re-sharing, all the time rebooting after all attempts.
I've set up special "Temp" folders with files in them in various places on my C:drive, and sharing them also. Each time, same result, I can see the folder, but can not open any files in the folders.
There is probably a simple, slap the forehead, answer here, but so far it has eluded me.
Thanks for your continued responses - please keep suggesting as I am certainly open to trying anything.
Steve

stone4 · Answer

Another very interesting piece of information has just surfaced. When, on the Dell E521 PC giving me the problems, I go to My Network Places>Entire Network>Microsoft Windows network>Home (my network name)>Dell521 and try and open the same folder/files that are un-openable from any other PC on the Home network, they also will NOT open from the Dell521 !! i.e. I can't open the files that are located on the same PC that I am currently on.

volcano11 · Answer

See if resetting the TCP/IP stack helps:   http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=299357   Steve

M1Rate · Answer

I have had the identical problem with XPS M2010 running Win XP MCE trying to access an Inspiron 8200 running Win XP Home (all machines fully Win updated, including IE 7.0).  30+ hours of On Call support including registry edits, installing Netbeui, LPX Protocol, configuring TCP/IP, ensuring file sharing, complete rebuild of network from the router on out, complete uninstall and removal (incl. using Norton removal tool) and turning off and, subsequently, back on to configure firewall and antivirus (Norton on Inspiron, Trend PC Cillin on XPS)--all to no avail.  Closest I ever got was being able to map a drive from the XPS to the Inspiron; but even this was undone by subsequent tech support.  At no point could I ever use Network Neighborhood to get to the other machine from either machine, though they would show.  Same error messages as yours, though not resource related at the end, as yours was.  At this point, Dell On Call has broken my cabled network connection on both machines through their configurations, though the wireless to the internet still works.  I regret that I have given up and am returning the XPS machine to Dell.  This kind of thing is equivalent to being asked to crank the handle on the front of your car to start it: Primitive and unsupportable.  I am motivated for it to work, but Dell has only made my circumstances incrementally worse.  I wish you better luck with your machine.

stone4 · Answer

Wow, not encouraging for me !! I am still working the problem since I discovered last night that I can't even see files on the Dell when trying to view them FROM THE Network via the DELL (i.e. same machine)!!

I'll keep you posted if I obtain a result.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Was this post helpful?