On Friday January 21 2005 at 10:15 AM, Gordon Totty wrote:

 > I have a three computer network in my home. One of the computers,
 > a laptop, can no longer access shared files on the main computer.
 > I think this may have happened when I changed the way the laptop
 > computer is connected. It used to be hard wired to my router. Now,
 > it is connected in a wireless manner to a Belkin Access Point
 > that is, in turn, hard wired to the router.
 >
 > The main computer can still access the laptop's shared files and
 > transfer them. Both computers can successfully ping each other.
 > However, when the laptop tries to access shared files on the main
 > computer or a networked printer it fails.  An error message says
 > that "permission" is denied.
 >
 > All three computers are running Windows XP.  I've checked and
 > re-checked all settings, etc., but can find no way to restore
 > the laptop's access to shared stuff on the main computer.

Hi Gordon

A user has to have permission to access files owned by another
user...and each of your computers considers the other to be a
different user. So for you to access files on the main computer
from the laptop, you must be logged onto your laptop using an
account that has permission to access files on the main computer.
The easiest way to do this is to have a user account on the main
computer which matches (name and password and rights) the account
that you are currently using on the laptop.

For example, if you are logged onto the laptop as "Gordon" (with
password "sample"), set up a user account on the main computer
with username "Gordon" and password "sample". For now, give each
account administrative rights. Finally, simultaneously log onto
each machine using these accounts and see if you can then access
files on each machine from the other. (If this solves your problem,
return to using less privileged accounts...if for no other reason
than for better security against trojans or other malware which
might get into your system and acquire the same rights as the
user who downloaded them.)

The reason you can have a "one way" problem like yours is easy
to explain. Suppose you are logged onto the main computer using
an account that also exists on the laptop...but is not currently
being used. Then you would be able to access files on the laptop
(from the main computer) but not vice versa. Because you aren't
actually logged onto that laptop account the laptop wouldn't
have rights on the main computer.

Regards,
Bill

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