Solved: Home Wireless Network - Access Denied

Computer "A" is a desktop PC, XP Home, SP2. This computer is connected directly to my wireless router.
Computer "B" is a notebook PC, XP PRO, SP2. This computer shares my internet connection through a wireless adapter card.

I am able to share my 802.11g internet connection but there's a problem with folder and printer sharing. Computer "A" is able to fully access "B" but "B" cannot access "A". "B" sees "A" (just the computer itself, NOT the shared folders or printers) but when I try to access "A" I get a message stating "\\computername is not accessable. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have permission. Access Denied".

I followed the instructions using the Wireless Network Setup Wizard but can't seem to get things working. I've tried turning off my firewall but it makes no difference. Can anyone suggest what might be wrong?

Thanks!
-Mike

 

Wow! Worked like a charm! To have such a problem resolved with a single reply is nothing short of miraculous. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help

One quick question... I noticed CounterSpy was reluctant to allow the registry change. Does the modification pose an increased security risk?

Thanks again,
-Mike

 

I was staggered to see Mike's networking problem - EXACTLY the same as mine - he couldn't have described it better! Your solution, Terry, worked like a dream. Many many thanks - and to you too, Mike, for posing the question.
I've spent the last week on and off trying to sort this one out. Is this a common problem I wonder? If so why hasn't Microsoft addressed it? Maybe they have somewhere but I certainly couldn't find reference to it.
Keep up the good work Terry.
Cheers, Bob

 

Thanks for your further comments, Terry.

I’m no computer ‘Dumbo’ but networking is new to me and still bit of a black art. I struggled for over a week trying to sort this one out, trying all sorts of tweaks and fiddles. I utilised diagnostic tests like pinging, Net View, IPConfig and XP (online) diagnostics but everything seemed OK indicating to me a simple 'permissions' problem. I also I got a bit mixed up over some references I’d found re: stopping/starting the Wireless Zero Configuration service. I am still not sure what software actually controls the wireless network connection!

I was aware that my firewall (ZoneAlarm) could well be my problem and tried setting it up to allow access by the 2nd PC. But even turning it off didn’t help – although I now take your point that I may have had to un-install it to have the desired effect. Luckily I then stumbled across your solution on this forum. Good old Google. I say!

Bit of a heart attack today however – re-booting both PCs just now it seemed at first that the problem had re-manifested itself – I could see the ‘SharedDocs’ but not the folders I had manually configured to be shared. But after about 5 minutes miraculously access was allowed and I could see the other PC as intended. I seem to remember now reading something about there sometimes being a time-lag.

Anyway, thanks again Terry and Mike. Things are looking good again over here in Cardiff.

Regards, Bob J