Home Network Access Problem

I am trying to link to a printer in my home network, but I do not have access rights to the host computer although I have admin rights on both machines. I have tried turning off the firewall, editing the registry using "DiableGPO", and various other unsuccessful attempts. The machine I am trying to connect from is a laptop using Windows Vista, and the host computer is a Gateway desktop with Windows XP SP2. The "gpedit.msc" file is not found on the host computer.

I am connected through a cable modem and Linksys Wireless-G model WRT54G, v. 8.0. I have tried various changes to the modem settings, again...without success.

I am able to see the host computer in the network from the laptop, but the error says the host computer is not accessible.

Any help would be appreciated,

Thanks,

Richard

 

I dont know about your missing file, but if you go to Printers and faxes and right click on the printer there will be a tab that says printer sharing. click in the box that says share this printer on the network, click on apply and see if that works

 

Thanks martinch - The printer is set for sharing...any other suggestions? I can't open anything on the host (Win XP) machine from the laptop (Win Vista). It gives me an error that the host computer is not accessible, even though I can see it on the network.

 

Check this link out -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/evaluate/vista_fp.mspx

 

You probably need to open access between the computers in your firewalls. I don't know anything about Vista but the XP Pro SP2 has a built in firewall that is on by default and really should be turned off and replaced with something like Zone Alarm.

I'm sure the Vista also has a firewall on by default but I don't know anything about it.

 

I suspect the problem is on the host (Win XP) machine. I tried turning off the firewall, adjusting the router security, editing the registry, etc., but none of it works. I had the same problem when the XP machine was connected on a different router by hard wire. Someone else said it has to do with user accounts, but I don't know how to troubleshoot that if it really is the problem.

 

In order to access a machine on the network you need to have the same user account on both machines with the same password. You don't need to be logged on to both machines as the same user but you need the ability to log on to bothe machines with the same user name and password.

 

Thanks shnerdly,

I did what you suggested, and I still have the same problem.

I suspect it has to do with the host computer running XP. In the Windows Firewall General tab, it says "For your security, some settings are controlled by Group Policy." I've tried to disable all group policies using regedit, but I must not have disabled all of them.

 

If you are able to access the Windows Firewall settings, that means the firewall is on. The way I turn it off is by right clicking on My Computer, go to Manage and it brings up Computer Management then expand Services and Applications and go to Services. In the right side of the screen, find the Windows Firewall and double click it. click the Stop button and where it says Startup Type make it say disabled.

 

I downloaded the free version of "Network Magic", and the problem is fixed finally! I honestly don't know what the program changed in order for me to share files and connect to the printer. What I do know, is that it's fixed...yeah!!!