Unable to setup a network

I've been trying to set up two computers for sharing folders for some two
weeks, now. In that time I've probably posted a note a day with a variety
of newsgroups each with a specific question. I'm not getting very far, very
fast. Could you walk me through the entire process, one step at a time?

Don J

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"BillW50" <BillW50.DeleteThis@aol.kom> wrote in message
news:epRD%23DLnHHA.5032@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> "Don J" <dej8801.DeleteThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:AYadnTg428ahzM7bnZ2dnUVZ_i2dnZ2d@comcast.com
>> Right clicking a folder on my system and selecting "Sharing and
>> Security" from the displayed menu yields a dialog box that has no
>> "Share this folder on the network" checkbox available. I gather from
>> my reading, that this implies that the computer is not on a network.
>
> Nope, it doesn't mean it isn't on a network. It means it isn't shared on
> the network.
>
>> On the same display is the statement "As a security measure, Windows
>> has disabled remote access to this computer. However, you can enable
>> remote access and safely share files by running the 'Network Setup
>> Wizard'". I've run the 'Network Setup Wizard', and it fails to
>> establish a network, as evidenced by the fact that again selecting
>> "Sharing and Security" yields the same screen as described above,
>> with no changes.
>
> Remote Access is something totally different. This allows someone to take
> control of your computer and run the software on your computer, just like
> they where sitting at your computer. You want this off normally. This has
> nothing to do with sharing files over a network.
>
>> I'm running Win'XP Home on two machines. I have firewalls disabled
>> on both machines.
>
> Good!
>
>> I'm successfully pinging each PC one from the other.
>
> Good!
>
>> What do I do? How do I create a network? I am trying to set it up
>> so that I can
>> share folders on one machine with another.
>
> You need to share folders like you started to do. If you share a whole
> drive, you can't use c$, d$, etc. As this is automatically shared (with
> administrator accounts) and to use other names (although you won't see
> them as shared, they are secretly known). Maybe using names like "Drive
> C", "Drive D", etc. But other folders, you can use almost anything.
>
> --
> Bill

"Don J" <dej8801 RemoveThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
news:mdCdnetLg-he787bnZ2dnUVZ_gqdnZ2d@comcast.com
> I've been trying to set up two computers for sharing folders for some
> two weeks, now. In that time I've probably posted a note a day with
> a variety of newsgroups each with a specific question. I'm not
> getting very far, very fast. Could you walk me through the entire
> process, one step at a time?

Well it can be very easy or very hard. Trust me, I have been through it
a lot. Although I have a lot of questions for you too. So I don't have
to spend a week writing a book about this.

1) Both computers can access the Internet through the network, right?

2) Is any computer wireless? This changes things a lot. How are they
connected to the network anyway? Ethernet, USB, wireless, HomePNA, etc?

3) I have seen no evidence that you allowed one single folder to be
shared. Share one and see if the other one can see it. Fire up Explorer
(nor Internet Explorer, but the file manager one).

3a) Open up "My Network Places"

3b) Entire Network

3c) Microsoft Windows Network

3d) Open a network name (default is MSHOME, I think)

3e) You should see the other computer and your computer that you have
shared (meaning folders, or whatever).

Now get back to us and let us know the answers to the best of your
ability.

--
Bill

"BillW50" <BillW50.DeleteThis@aol.kom> wrote in message
news:evIFwXMnHHA.3888@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> "Don J" <dej8801.DeleteThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:mdCdnetLg-he787bnZ2dnUVZ_gqdnZ2d@comcast.com
>> I've been trying to set up two computers for sharing folders for some
>> two weeks, now. In that time I've probably posted a note a day with
>> a variety of newsgroups each with a specific question. I'm not
>> getting very far, very fast. Could you walk me through the entire
>> process, one step at a time?
>
> Well it can be very easy or very hard. Trust me, I have been through it a
> lot. Although I have a lot of questions for you too. So I don't have to
> spend a week writing a book about this.
>
> 1) Both computers can access the Internet through the network, right?

Yes, both computers can access the internet.

> 2) Is any computer wireless? This changes things a lot. How are they
> connected to the network anyway? Ethernet, USB, wireless, HomePNA, etc?

No, neither computer is wireless.

> 3) I have seen no evidence that you allowed one single folder to be
> shared. Share one and see if the other one can see it. Fire up Explorer
> (nor Internet Explorer, but the file manager one).

Yes, there are folders on both computers marked as shared.

> 3a) Open up "My Network Places"
>
> 3b) Entire Network
>
> 3c) Microsoft Windows Network
>
> 3d) Open a network name (default is MSHOME, I think)
>
> 3e) You should see the other computer and your computer that you have
> shared (meaning folders, or whatever).

Yes, there is a folder marker Mshome on both machines.

When I try to open it I get a message on one machine that says "Mshome is
not accessible. You might not have permission to use this resource.
Contact th administrator of this server to find out if you have access
permissions. The list of servers for this newsgroup is not currently
available".

On the other machine the folder opens but there is nothing in it.

> Now get back to us and let us know the answers to the best of your
> ability.
>
> --
> Bill

"Don J" <dej8801.RemoveThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:z-CdnZ4R4rlRHc7bnZ2dnUVZ_sGqnZ2d@comcast.com
> "BillW50" <BillW50.RemoveThis@aol.kom> wrote in message
> news:evIFwXMnHHA.3888@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> "Don J" <dej8801.RemoveThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:mdCdnetLg-he787bnZ2dnUVZ_gqdnZ2d@comcast.com
>>> I've been trying to set up two computers for sharing folders for
>>> some two weeks, now. In that time I've probably posted a note a
>>> day with a variety of newsgroups each with a specific question. I'm
>>> not getting very far, very fast. Could you walk me through the
>>> entire process, one step at a time?
>>
>> Well it can be very easy or very hard. Trust me, I have been through
>> it a lot. Although I have a lot of questions for you too. So I don't
>> have to spend a week writing a book about this.
>>
>> 1) Both computers can access the Internet through the network, right?
>
> Yes, both computers can access the internet.

Oh great!

>> 2) Is any computer wireless? This changes things a lot. How are they
>> connected to the network anyway? Ethernet, USB, wireless, HomePNA,
>> etc?
>
> No, neither computer is wireless.

Oh good, how are they connected? Is it that funny cable that almost
looks like a telephone jack?

>> 3) I have seen no evidence that you allowed one single folder to be
>> shared. Share one and see if the other one can see it. Fire up
>> Explorer (nor Internet Explorer, but the file manager one).
>
> Yes, there are folders on both computers marked as shared.
>
>> 3a) Open up "My Network Places"
>>
>> 3b) Entire Network
>>
>> 3c) Microsoft Windows Network
>>
>> 3d) Open a network name (default is MSHOME, I think)
>>
>> 3e) You should see the other computer and your computer that you have
>> shared (meaning folders, or whatever).
>
> Yes, there is a folder marker Mshome on both machines.
>
> When I try to open it I get a message on one machine that says
> "Mshome is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this
> resource. Contact th administrator of this server to find out if you
> have access permissions. The list of servers for this newsgroup is
> not currently available".
>
> On the other machine the folder opens but there is nothing in it.

List of servers for newsgroups? Oh no! You won't find any newsgroups
servers on the other computer. Well not on your own network anyway.

>> Now get back to us and let us know the answers to the best of your
>> ability.

--
Bill

Yes, they are connected through a router using a pair of "Ethernet" cables
which look almost like telephone jacks.

Don J

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are no more comments below this point.

"BillW50" <BillW50 DeleteThis @aol.kom> wrote in message
news:evBEpfNnHHA.4516@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> "Don J" <dej8801 DeleteThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:z-CdnZ4R4rlRHc7bnZ2dnUVZ_sGqnZ2d@comcast.com
>> "BillW50" <BillW50 DeleteThis @aol.kom> wrote in message
>> news:evIFwXMnHHA.3888@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>> "Don J" <dej8801 DeleteThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
>>> news:mdCdnetLg-he787bnZ2dnUVZ_gqdnZ2d@comcast.com
>>>> I've been trying to set up two computers for sharing folders for
>>>> some two weeks, now. In that time I've probably posted a note a
>>>> day with a variety of newsgroups each with a specific question. I'm not
>>>> getting very far, very fast. Could you walk me through the
>>>> entire process, one step at a time?
>>>
>>> Well it can be very easy or very hard. Trust me, I have been through
>>> it a lot. Although I have a lot of questions for you too. So I don't
>>> have to spend a week writing a book about this.
>>>
>>> 1) Both computers can access the Internet through the network, right?
>>
>> Yes, both computers can access the internet.
>
> Oh great!
>
>>> 2) Is any computer wireless? This changes things a lot. How are they
>>> connected to the network anyway? Ethernet, USB, wireless, HomePNA,
>>> etc?
>>
>> No, neither computer is wireless.
>
> Oh good, how are they connected? Is it that funny cable that almost looks
> like a telephone jack?
>
>>> 3) I have seen no evidence that you allowed one single folder to be
>>> shared. Share one and see if the other one can see it. Fire up
>>> Explorer (nor Internet Explorer, but the file manager one).
>>
>> Yes, there are folders on both computers marked as shared.
>>
>>> 3a) Open up "My Network Places"
>>>
>>> 3b) Entire Network
>>>
>>> 3c) Microsoft Windows Network
>>>
>>> 3d) Open a network name (default is MSHOME, I think)
>>>
>>> 3e) You should see the other computer and your computer that you have
>>> shared (meaning folders, or whatever).
>>
>> Yes, there is a folder marker Mshome on both machines.
>>
>> When I try to open it I get a message on one machine that says
>> "Mshome is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this
>> resource. Contact th administrator of this server to find out if you
>> have access permissions. The list of servers for this newsgroup is
>> not currently available".
>>
>> On the other machine the folder opens but there is nothing in it.
>
> List of servers for newsgroups? Oh no! You won't find any newsgroups
> servers on the other computer. Well not on your own network anyway.
>
>>> Now get back to us and let us know the answers to the best of your
>>> ability.
>
> --
> Bill

Okay what is this about trying to access newsgroup servers on the other
computer then?

Okay one computer can see MSHOME but nothing in it. Let's call this
computer A. It should see its own shared folders. Or did you only set
one computer (computer B) with shared folder(s)? Also to save some
confusion, is both computers running Administrator accounts?

Computer B can see its own shared folders right?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are no more comments below this point.

"Don J" <dej8801.TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:1-6dnTTQsvZUB87bnZ2dnUVZ_iydnZ2d@comcast.com
> Yes, they are connected through a router using a pair of "Ethernet"
> cables which look almost like telephone jacks.
>
> Don J
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> There are no more comments below this point.
>
> "BillW50" <BillW50.TakeThisOut@aol.kom> wrote in message
> news:evBEpfNnHHA.4516@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> "Don J" <dej8801.TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:z-CdnZ4R4rlRHc7bnZ2dnUVZ_sGqnZ2d@comcast.com
>>> "BillW50" <BillW50.TakeThisOut@aol.kom> wrote in message
>>> news:evIFwXMnHHA.3888@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>>> "Don J" <dej8801.TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:mdCdnetLg-he787bnZ2dnUVZ_gqdnZ2d@comcast.com
>>>>> I've been trying to set up two computers for sharing folders for
>>>>> some two weeks, now. In that time I've probably posted a note a
>>>>> day with a variety of newsgroups each with a specific question.
>>>>> I'm not getting very far, very fast. Could you walk me through
>>>>> the entire process, one step at a time?
>>>>
>>>> Well it can be very easy or very hard. Trust me, I have been
>>>> through it a lot. Although I have a lot of questions for you too.
>>>> So I don't have to spend a week writing a book about this.
>>>>
>>>> 1) Both computers can access the Internet through the network,
>>>> right?
>>>
>>> Yes, both computers can access the internet.
>>
>> Oh great!
>>
>>>> 2) Is any computer wireless? This changes things a lot. How are
>>>> they connected to the network anyway? Ethernet, USB, wireless,
>>>> HomePNA, etc?
>>>
>>> No, neither computer is wireless.
>>
>> Oh good, how are they connected? Is it that funny cable that almost
>> looks like a telephone jack?
>>
>>>> 3) I have seen no evidence that you allowed one single folder to be
>>>> shared. Share one and see if the other one can see it. Fire up
>>>> Explorer (nor Internet Explorer, but the file manager one).
>>>
>>> Yes, there are folders on both computers marked as shared.
>>>
>>>> 3a) Open up "My Network Places"
>>>>
>>>> 3b) Entire Network
>>>>
>>>> 3c) Microsoft Windows Network
>>>>
>>>> 3d) Open a network name (default is MSHOME, I think)
>>>>
>>>> 3e) You should see the other computer and your computer that you
>>>> have shared (meaning folders, or whatever).
>>>
>>> Yes, there is a folder marker Mshome on both machines.
>>>
>>> When I try to open it I get a message on one machine that says
>>> "Mshome is not accessible. You might not have permission to use
>>> this resource. Contact th administrator of this server to find out
>>> if you have access permissions. The list of servers for this
>>> newsgroup is not currently available".
>>>
>>> On the other machine the folder opens but there is nothing in it.
>>
>> List of servers for newsgroups? Oh no! You won't find any newsgroups
>> servers on the other computer. Well not on your own network anyway.
>>
>>>> Now get back to us and let us know the answers to the best of your
>>>> ability.
>>
>> --
>> Bill

--
Bill

Both computers are running Administrator accounts. Both are named Johansen.

A funny thing is happening. Every so often what I see when Mshome is
activated changes. Once I open it what I see stays the same when I close
and immediatly reopen it. But if I go off and, say, look at my email, then
come back and reopen it everything will change. I think that there have
probably been about every combination of items displayed. Right now it is
displaying "Computer A" on both screens. Usually when "Computer X" is
displayed on the "Computer Y" screen clicking the "Computer X" icon will
result in the error message described previously. However this time I've
got a dialog box displayed that says: "Connecting to 'Computer A'" and
asking me for a password for "Computer A\Guest". The Guest accounts are
inactive on both computers, and when activated will not accept a Password.

Where do we go from here?

Don J

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"BillW50" <BillW50.DeleteThis@aol.kom> wrote in message
news:e%2355x0NnHHA.2452@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Okay what is this about trying to access newsgroup servers on the other
> computer then?
>
> Okay one computer can see MSHOME but nothing in it. Let's call this
> computer A. It should see its own shared folders. Or did you only set one
> computer (computer B) with shared folder(s)? Also to save some confusion,
> is both computers running Administrator accounts?
>
> Computer B can see its own shared folders right?
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> There are no more comments below this point.
>
> "Don J" <dej8801.DeleteThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:1-6dnTTQsvZUB87bnZ2dnUVZ_iydnZ2d@comcast.com
>> Yes, they are connected through a router using a pair of "Ethernet"
>> cables which look almost like telephone jacks.
>>
>> Don J
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> There are no more comments below this point.
>>
>> "BillW50" <BillW50.DeleteThis@aol.kom> wrote in message
>> news:evBEpfNnHHA.4516@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> "Don J" <dej8801.DeleteThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>> news:z-CdnZ4R4rlRHc7bnZ2dnUVZ_sGqnZ2d@comcast.com
>>>> "BillW50" <BillW50.DeleteThis@aol.kom> wrote in message
>>>> news:evIFwXMnHHA.3888@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>>>> "Don J" <dej8801.DeleteThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>>>> news:mdCdnetLg-he787bnZ2dnUVZ_gqdnZ2d@comcast.com
>>>>>> I've been trying to set up two computers for sharing folders for
>>>>>> some two weeks, now. In that time I've probably posted a note a
>>>>>> day with a variety of newsgroups each with a specific question.
>>>>>> I'm not getting very far, very fast. Could you walk me through
>>>>>> the entire process, one step at a time?
>>>>>
>>>>> Well it can be very easy or very hard. Trust me, I have been
>>>>> through it a lot. Although I have a lot of questions for you too.
>>>>> So I don't have to spend a week writing a book about this.
>>>>>
>>>>> 1) Both computers can access the Internet through the network,
>>>>> right?
>>>>
>>>> Yes, both computers can access the internet.
>>>
>>> Oh great!
>>>
>>>>> 2) Is any computer wireless? This changes things a lot. How are
>>>>> they connected to the network anyway? Ethernet, USB, wireless,
>>>>> HomePNA, etc?
>>>>
>>>> No, neither computer is wireless.
>>>
>>> Oh good, how are they connected? Is it that funny cable that almost
>>> looks like a telephone jack?
>>>
>>>>> 3) I have seen no evidence that you allowed one single folder to be
>>>>> shared. Share one and see if the other one can see it. Fire up
>>>>> Explorer (nor Internet Explorer, but the file manager one).
>>>>
>>>> Yes, there are folders on both computers marked as shared.
>>>>
>>>>> 3a) Open up "My Network Places"
>>>>>
>>>>> 3b) Entire Network
>>>>>
>>>>> 3c) Microsoft Windows Network
>>>>>
>>>>> 3d) Open a network name (default is MSHOME, I think)
>>>>>
>>>>> 3e) You should see the other computer and your computer that you
>>>>> have shared (meaning folders, or whatever).
>>>>
>>>> Yes, there is a folder marker Mshome on both machines.
>>>>
>>>> When I try to open it I get a message on one machine that says
>>>> "Mshome is not accessible. You might not have permission to use
>>>> this resource. Contact th administrator of this server to find out
>>>> if you have access permissions. The list of servers for this
>>>> newsgroup is not currently available".
>>>>
>>>> On the other machine the folder opens but there is nothing in it.
>>>
>>> List of servers for newsgroups? Oh no! You won't find any newsgroups
>>> servers on the other computer. Well not on your own network anyway.
>>>
>>>>> Now get back to us and let us know the answers to the best of your
>>>>> ability.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Bill
>
> --
> Bill

"Don J" <dej8801.RemoveThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:LdWdndYM0aDmL87bnZ2dnUVZ_qWvnZ2d@comcast.com
> Both computers are running Administrator accounts. Both are named
> Johansen.
> A funny thing is happening. Every so often what I see when Mshome is
> activated changes. Once I open it what I see stays the same when I
> close and immediatly reopen it. But if I go off and, say, look at my
> email, then come back and reopen it everything will change. I think
> that there have probably been about every combination of items
> displayed. Right now it is displaying "Computer A" on both screens.
> Usually when "Computer X" is displayed on the "Computer Y" screen
> clicking the "Computer X" icon will result in the error message
> described previously. However this time I've got a dialog box
> displayed that says: "Connecting to 'Computer A'" and asking me for a
> password for "Computer A\Guest". The Guest accounts are inactive on
> both computers, and when activated will not accept a Password.
> Where do we go from here?

Well computer names and user names are two different things. You
probably know this, but just in case. And if you are really signing in
on both computers with the same user name and password, it should never
ask you for one when you access shared folders on the other one. Why?
Because you are already signed in.

Now I don't use Guest accounts, so I might be all wet. But I thought
Guest accounts doesn't have passwords. Thus if you try to enter one, it
will always fail. Thus why most people turns Guest accounts off.
Although Guest accounts are useful for things like the public using a
computer in a public setting, or having the public access your shared
files, web pages, etc. But normally, you don't want such easy access to
your computer.

--
Bill

So why is machine "Computer B" displaying the "Connecting to Computer A"
screen asking me for a password for "Computer A/Ghost". What does it all
mean?

Don J

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"BillW50" <BillW50.TakeThisOut@aol.kom> wrote in message
news:%23gZ%23axSnHHA.596@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> "Don J" <dej8801.TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:LdWdndYM0aDmL87bnZ2dnUVZ_qWvnZ2d@comcast.com
>> Both computers are running Administrator accounts. Both are named
>> Johansen.
>> A funny thing is happening. Every so often what I see when Mshome is
>> activated changes. Once I open it what I see stays the same when I
>> close and immediatly reopen it. But if I go off and, say, look at my
>> email, then come back and reopen it everything will change. I think
>> that there have probably been about every combination of items
>> displayed. Right now it is displaying "Computer A" on both screens.
>> Usually when "Computer X" is displayed on the "Computer Y" screen
>> clicking the "Computer X" icon will result in the error message
>> described previously. However this time I've got a dialog box
>> displayed that says: "Connecting to 'Computer A'" and asking me for a
>> password for "Computer A\Guest". The Guest accounts are inactive on
>> both computers, and when activated will not accept a Password.
>> Where do we go from here?
>
> Well computer names and user names are two different things. You probably
> know this, but just in case. And if you are really signing in on both
> computers with the same user name and password, it should never ask you
> for one when you access shared folders on the other one. Why? Because you
> are already signed in.
>
> Now I don't use Guest accounts, so I might be all wet. But I thought Guest
> accounts doesn't have passwords. Thus if you try to enter one, it will
> always fail. Thus why most people turns Guest accounts off. Although Guest
> accounts are useful for things like the public using a computer in a
> public setting, or having the public access your shared files, web pages,
> etc. But normally, you don't want such easy access to your computer.
>
> --
> Bill

Hi,

First off, may I suggest reading the following page:
'How to configure file sharing in Windows XP'
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040)

Now, as to your most recent question, the machine is attempting to
determine your level of access in the shared folder. Thus if i login as
guest i can only read the files, where as the administrator would also
be able to edit them.

All you should need to do is login to an account on the remote machine
which has access to the shared folder.



Note that I use the word should here. There are a few hurdles to cross
first


--
Confused