mshome network - access denied

i have the usual home network. suddenly one of the computers came up with an 'access denied' message when i tried to install a printer attached to it as a network printer on another computer. also, it says 'access denied' when i try to open it in the workgroup computers screen.

the other computers on the home network are totally accessible. all c drives on all computers are set as shared.

thanks in advance for the help.

 

So basically you are not able to access the computer with the Printer on it??

When you go to the Network and see workgroup computers, the computer you are trying to access is saying you need permission, and contact the admin??

 

Yes. Exactly.

 

Ok so are you trying to share the printer with the entire network?? Or are you just trying to connect to this computer?

If you are just trying to connect to this computer do the following from the computer you are trying to connect to:

1. Start
2. Right Click My Computer
3. Select Manage
4. Click Local Users and Groups
5. Click User Rights Assignment
6. Find and select access this computer from the network
7. When that window opens click 'Add User or Group'
8. Click Locations
9. Click your network name
10. Click Advanced
11. Click Find Now
12. Add the computers that you want to access this computer to the list
13. Click Ok
14. OK

That should let you access the computer from another computer, but it is going to ask for the username and pass of the user of that PC.

 

what if there are no passwords?

 

I am not sure, let me test that and I will let you know... give me a minute.

 

When I select manage there is no option to click local users and groups

 

Yea that was my fault... I have it set up to show it like that. What you want to do is go to control panel, administrative tools, and in there you should see Local Security...

Also you need a password to do this, it doesn't work otherwise.

 

No local security there either

 

You are using Windows XP Pro correct?? If you are, you should have it.

Start> Control Panel> Administrative Tools> Local Security Policy> Local Policies> User Rights Assignment> Access this computer from the network

 

That one has xp home

btw...thanks for all your help

 

You should still have that in home... hmm well what is listed in Home Edition when you go to administrative tools?

Also Home edition sucks for file sharing, least from my past experiences with it. You can try and intall nwlink/netbios. That works sometimes.

Go to network connections> Properties> right click the connection you are using> properties> tcp/ip> install> protocol> nwlink/netbios

that is how I used to have to network Home, but just give that a shot.

 

there is a file listed as shares...which indicates that the whole hard drive is shared

 

That is a default share though, when you first install windows, it automatically has a hidden share of the HDs as far as I know. You have to physically right click a folder and click share...

But if you cannot even access the computer which is on the network, the files shared wont matter...

Is file and printer sharing turned on?

 

nothing remotely related to rights assignments

at least now i am beginning to think i am not crazy...this has been bugging me for several days