XP Pro to XP Home in peer to peer

I have run the network wizard on my desktop (XP Home with wireless router
connected) and run the NETSETUP on my laptop (XP PRO). I can see my
Workgroup in Network Places\Entire Network\Microsoft Network. But when I try
to aqcfess it I get the error message "(Workgroup) Mshome isw not accessible.
You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the
administrator of the server to find out if you have access permissions. The
list of servers for the workgroup is not currently available." Both
computers are using the same user name (Both administrators) and password

sjohannessen wrote:

> I have run the network wizard on my desktop (XP Home with wireless
> router
> connected) and run the NETSETUP on my laptop (XP PRO). I can see my
> Workgroup in Network Places\Entire Network\Microsoft Network. But
> when I try to aqcfess it I get the error message "(Workgroup) Mshome
> isw not accessible.
> You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact
> the
> administrator of the server to find out if you have access
> permissions. The
> list of servers for the workgroup is not currently available." Both
> computers are using the same user name (Both administrators) and
> password

This is usually caused by a misconfigured firewall. When you ran the
Network Setup Wizard on both computers this turned on the XPSP2 Windows
Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party firewall or have an
antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like Norton 2005/06) which
acts as a firewall, then you're fine. But if you do have one of these
av's and/or third-party firewall software, you need to turn off the
Windows Firewall. Configure any third-party firewalls to allow the
Local Area Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my
firewalls with an IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254.
Obviously you would substitute your correct subnet.

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

Narrowing in on the firewalls...OK. The desktop has Norton Personal Firewall
2003. I allow the specific IP address of the laptop The laptop has McAfee
Firewall as a purchase option but apparently I did not buy it yet. Windows
Firewall is still ON for the laptop.

Three ways to go? Have you a suggestion? I have a preference toward McAfee
but accept any recommendations.

"Malke" wrote:

> sjohannessen wrote:
>
> > I have run the network wizard on my desktop (XP Home with wireless
> > router
> > connected) and run the NETSETUP on my laptop (XP PRO). I can see my
> > Workgroup in Network Places\Entire Network\Microsoft Network. But
> > when I try to aqcfess it I get the error message "(Workgroup) Mshome
> > isw not accessible.
> > You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact
> > the
> > administrator of the server to find out if you have access
> > permissions. The
> > list of servers for the workgroup is not currently available." Both
> > computers are using the same user name (Both administrators) and
> > password
>
> This is usually caused by a misconfigured firewall. When you ran the
> Network Setup Wizard on both computers this turned on the XPSP2 Windows
> Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party firewall or have an
> antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like Norton 2005/06) which
> acts as a firewall, then you're fine. But if you do have one of these
> av's and/or third-party firewall software, you need to turn off the
> Windows Firewall. Configure any third-party firewalls to allow the
> Local Area Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my
> firewalls with an IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254.
> Obviously you would substitute your correct subnet.
>
> 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
>

sjohannessen wrote:

> Narrowing in on the firewalls...OK. The desktop has Norton Personal
> Firewall
> 2003. I allow the specific IP address of the laptop The laptop has
> McAfee
> Firewall as a purchase option but apparently I did not buy it yet.
> Windows Firewall is still ON for the laptop.
>
> Three ways to go? Have you a suggestion? I have a preference toward
> McAfee but accept any recommendations.

Maybe it's just a tad early for me and I've only started on my second
cup of coffee, but I'm not sure what you're asking here.
Recommendations for antivirus and/or firewalls? If you properly
configure the firewalls you have (and I would allow a range in the
Norton Firewall instead of just the one IP), can you access the shares?

I personally don't like McAfee or Norton products. I use F-Prot
antivirus on my Windows machines and because my users are well-trained,
the Windows Firewall is fine for them.

Please clarify the state of your network access which is what you
originally asked about. If you are still not able to successfully
create a working home network, go through Mr. Michna's troubleshooter
and let me know the results.

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