Problems accessing home network

Question

I've managed to set up a wireless home network connecting my laptop with my wifes.  Both are running XP.  When I try to access the network from her laptop I am able to see the network (HOMENET) and see her shared documents folder.  However, when I try to do the same on my laptop I see the network but when I click on the network name HOMENET I receive a message stating 'HOMENET 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.  The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available.'  I've checked Norton Internet Security on both machines to ensure the firewall is not blocking file and printer sharing and I've turned off Windows firewall.  Something else is blocking my access to this network and I cannot understand what it is and how to fix it.  Please help this layman.

volcano11 · Answer

When you say 'I've checked Norton Internet Security on both machines to ensure the firewall is not blocking file and printer sharing', have you also ensured that the Norton firewall is explicitly set to allow local network access.   By default Norton will not allow file and printer sharing unless it is explicitly told to do so.     Steve

georgedn · Answer

I've modified the 'Block Windows file sharing' rule to allow file sharing or that is what I think it means.  I am referring to the configue option under General Rules.

volcano11 · Answer

I can't keep up with these products which change every few months.  Which version of Norton do you have?   Steve

georgedn · Answer

My apologies.  I should have included that info.  I am using Norton Internet Security 2007 and Norton System Works 2006.

stone4 · Answer

I see your original posting from Sep concerning LAN access on your homenet. I have new Dell Dimension and am having exactly same problem. Other PC's on my home net can see the shared folders on Dell, but they can't be opened. I get the same error message you were getting. Did you resolve your issue?
Thanks

georgedn · Answer

No, my issue is not resolved.  Hoping someone in this forum will have some advice.

volcano11 · Answer

George, I don't have access to the documentation for that version of Norton.  Sorry.  You, however, should have access to the documentation.  See if you can find a way to add your computers to the trusted zone.   Steve

georgedn · Answer

Voila!!  It works!!!  Many thanks.  For other users information I did as you suggested.  In Norton Internet Security clicked on Personal Firewall >> Configure >> Trust Control >> Active Tab - my network (HOMENET) was listed and under the security heading read 'Protected'.  Clicked on my network, clicked on Trust button, entered a name.  Clicked the 'Trusted' tab and enterd the IP addresses of the two computers that comprise the network HOMENET.  Closed Norton, restarted computer and upon restart was able to access files from each computer that reside on the other for which access was granted.  Hopefully, this is all it takes and no other issues arise.  Hope this helps Stone4 who inquired about my progress earlier today.

stone4 · Answer

GeorgeDN,
Very glad you finally got your problem solved! I am only running a hardware firwall though (router) and the firewall settings solution won't apply to me - at least as far as I can tell at this point. If you get any other feedback on this issue, please forward to me. I still have the problem of being able to see folders on my PC on the network, but I can't open them. Thanks
Steve

M1Rate · Answer

Stone: Even with all firewalls off, no go for me.  The hx: 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.

proflashrtist · Answer

Moved to appropriate board. (TechTalk - Networking/Internet) New thread.

proflashrtist · Answer

hmm i got moved here by a dell punk fpr talking non cryptographic hash links and functions oooo he said i d/l music on p2p... hes uber poo thats for pirates  i got no scurvy curr

BLACK CAT PR · Answer

the problem is the internet can t open i dont know why ,start download but no finish i have a latitude 640

BLACK CAT PR · Answer

hy my problem is i have a latitud 640 i need to find the cable for see the video on the tv thats mean from vga to transfer to rca cable audio and video

M1Rate · Answer

The solution I came to today may or may not help you directly.  On the new XPS machine, I reset it to its shipping state.  Then, with it all reset, I rebuilt the network again without Trend running and no pw set for accounts.  I enabled the Guest accounts on both machines.  At this point, I could see the machines and get to the new one from the old, but not the new to the old.  Then I set the pw's on the accounts on the XPS, and had to rebuild the network again.  Now I can see both computers (and they can see themselves), and can get from the old to the new, but not new to old.  I am going to settle for this since it is good enough for my use, though not ideal.  Of note, use the Search function instead of the network neighborhood.  In this and other threads there is a lot of additional information worth reviewing, especially if you do not want to reset your machine to its factory state.  Hope this helps.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Problems accessing home network

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