can't network xp computers

I have a home network with 3 computers running xp home. They all seem to
have the same settings yet only 1 of 3 is accessible. All 3 are visible via
"my network places" yet only computer#1 allows the others to access its
files. I've enabled file and print sharing on all 3 and disabled the windows
firewall but still no luck. All computers can access computer#1. When
trying to access computer#2 a message pops up "computer is unaccessible".
When trying to access computer#3 you get a "guest log-in screen" asking for a
password (there are no passwords).
I can't choose to log on under a different user since the "guest" option is
greyed out and therefore my only choice.

 

tuuf wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> I have a home network with 3 computers running xp home. They all seem to
> have the same settings yet only 1 of 3 is accessible. All 3 are visible
> via "my network places" yet only computer#1 allows the others to access
> its
> files. I've enabled file and print sharing on all 3 and disabled the
> windows
> firewall but still no luck. All computers can access computer#1. When
> trying to access computer#2 a message pops up "computer is unaccessible".
> When trying to access computer#3 you get a "guest log-in screen" asking
> for a
> password (there are no passwords).
> I can't choose to log on under a different user since the "guest" option
> is greyed out and therefore my only choice.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

For XP, start by running the Network Setup Wizard on all machines (see
caveat in Item A below).

Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused by
1) a misconfigured firewall or overlooked firewall (including a stateful
firewall in a VPN); or 2) inadvertently running two firewalls such as the
built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party firewall; and/or 3) not having
identical user accounts and passwords on all Workgroup machines; 4) trying
to create shares where the operating system does not permit it.

A. Configure firewalls on all machines to allow the Local Area Network (LAN)
traffic as trusted. With Windows Firewall, this means allowing File/Printer
Sharing on the Exceptions tab. Normally running the Network Setup Wizard on
XP will take care of this for those machines.The only "gotcha" is that this
will turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party
firewall or have an antivirus/security program with its own firewall
component, then you're fine. With third-party firewalls, I usually configure
the LAN allowance with an IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254.
Obviously you would substitute your correct subnet. Refer to any third party
security program's Help or user forums for how to properly configure its
firewall. Do not run more than one firewall. DO NOT TURN OFF FIREWALLS;
CONFIGURE THEM CORRECTLY.

B. For ease of organization, put all computers in the same Workgroup. This
is done from the System applet in Control Panel, Computer Name tab.

C. Create matching user accounts and passwords on all machines. You do not
need to be logged into the same account on all machines and the passwords
assigned to each user account can be different; the accounts/passwords just
need to exist and match on all machines. DO NOT NEGLECT TO CREATE PASSWORDS,
EVEN IF ONLY SIMPLE ONES. If you wish a machine to boot directly to the
Desktop (into one particular user's account) for convenience, you can do
this:

XP - Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) -


D. If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center, turn off Simple
File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab).

E. Create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users' home
directories or Program Files, but you can share folders inside those
directories. A better choice is to simply use the Shared Documents folder.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

 

Post here instead: microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web

tuuf wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> I have a home network with 3 computers running xp home. They all seem to
> have the same settings yet only 1 of 3 is accessible. All 3 are visible
> via
> "my network places" yet only computer#1 allows the others to access its
> files. I've enabled file and print sharing on all 3 and disabled the
> windows firewall but still no luck. All computers can access computer#1.
> When trying to access computer#2 a message pops up "computer is
> unaccessible". When trying to access computer#3 you get a "guest log-in
> screen" asking for a password (there are no passwords).
> I can't choose to log on under a different user since the "guest" option
> is
> greyed out and therefore my only choice. <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->