Home workgroup unaccessible

Hello,

I have a 2 computer home network. I have a wireless router, desktop (wired
into router) with local printer, and a wireless laptop. I am unable to
access either computer via my network places/view workgroup computers. The
workgroup is listed the same on both computers. The exact error I receive is
as follows:

"Workgroup 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."

I disabled my anti-virus client and windows firewall multiple times thinking
that was the issue, but the problem remains. I also took the router out of
the loop and connected the 2 computers to a hub and received the same
message.

What setting/service/component/configuration could be causing this? I mean
2 computers listed with the same workgroup should be able to see each other??

Any assistance with this issue would be greatly appreciated.

th3rmal wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I have a 2 computer home network. I have a wireless router, desktop
> (wired
> into router) with local printer, and a wireless laptop. I am unable
> to
> access either computer via my network places/view workgroup computers.
> The
> workgroup is listed the same on both computers. The exact error I
> receive is as follows:
>
> "Workgroup 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."
>
> I disabled my anti-virus client and windows firewall multiple times
> thinking
> that was the issue, but the problem remains. I also took the router
> out of the loop and connected the 2 computers to a hub and received
> the same message.
>
> What setting/service/component/configuration could be causing this? I
> mean 2 computers listed with the same workgroup should be able to see
> each other??
>
The Workgroup name has nothing to do with it since Windows machines in
different Workgroups can share files. The Workgroup is just a cosmetic
and organizational device.

Although you say you've disabled your firewall, this error is usually
caused by a misconfigured firewall. Does your antivirus include
something like Norton's Internet Worm Protection? This is a firewall
and would be causing your problem. Disabling the real-time protection
of the antivirus would not disable this.

You mention the Windows Firewall, so I assume that means at least one of
your machines is running XP SP2, although we don't know if you have
Home or Pro Editions. If either machine has Pro:

a. Either enable Simple Sharing (Folder Options>View) on both machines;
or
b. Disable Simple Sharing on both machines and create identical user
accounts/passwords on both machines. With only two machines, this is a
good idea anyway. Don't use null passwords. You can always set the
machines to log in automatically for convenience later if you like. If
one machine is Home and the other Pro, do either a. or b. on the Pro
machine.

After you've checked out the possibility of a firewall you've forgotten,
run the Network Setup Wizard on both machines, making sure to enable
File & Printer Sharing. Reboot. Then create shares as desired. XP Home
does not permit sharing of users' home directories (My Documents) or
Program Files, but you can share folders inside those directories. A
better choice is to simply use the Shared Documents folder.

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User