XP LAN problem

im having trouble connecting to XP PCs on my network.

i have 3 PCs, 2 running XP and 1 running 98, the XP computers can connect to the 98 box but the 2 XP boxes cannot connect to each other. when i say connect i mean i can double click the computer name in the "View Workgroup computers" window and it opens displaying network resources for that PC. The XP boxes can see each other in the "View Workgroup computers" window but i get error messages when i try to connect:

when trying to connect to the laptop from the desktop i get:

\\computername is not accessible. you might not have permission to use this network resource. contact the server admin to find out if you have access permissions.

Logon Failure: the user has not been granted the requested logon at this computer​

laptop trying to connect to desktop i get:

\\computername is not accessible. you might not have permission to use this network resource. contact the server admin to find out if you have access permissions.

Access is denied.​

neither XP PCs are using the windows firewall, i have got norton personal firewall on the desktop but ive disabled it and i still get exact same errors.

this setup was working before i reinstalled windows XP on the desktop PC, the laptop configuration was working perfect before and has not changed.

please help!

 

look here

www.practicallynetworked.com

 

Turn on your file sharing..

 

If the file sharing option doesn't work make sure all of your TCP/IP settings are correct. I had the same problem and after a long troubleshooting session I discovered my DNS server options were not entered. Once entered everything worked great. Let me know if you need more information. I'll be glad to assist any way I can.

 

Check that the usernames on the XP machines match. You may have to create each XP machines users on each machine.

 

Ive tryed all the suggestions so far but no difference yet.

Ive ran the network setup wizard so i presume that enables file sharing, yes? file and printer sharing is present in the LAN properties window.

ive added a win 2k machine on the network and i can access shared files on that PC but when trying to acess the problematic XP desktop machine i just get "Access Denied" error.

the XP desktop machine im having problems with is the one im using now, my TCP settings are all auto (ip and DNS)

 

If the machine you are using now is the one you are trying to do file sharing it sounds like you are on 2 different subnets. If you are getting DNS and IP automatically, your ISP is providing that. Your other machines are probably not getting the same IP unless they are all on the same network. Most ISP's only provide 1 IP, Cable may allow up to 3 however. I would check that.

 

nope i use automatic config in windows and i have a ISDN router that provides all my IP's for the local network

how can i double check the file sharing is turned on? ive ran the network wizard so i presume its now enabled?