Access Denied on one of my machines

For some reason I have not been able to access files on my wired XP Pro box named MAIN. From my wireless laptop I had to log in to MAIN from the laptop with MAIN's user name and password which is weird because it never asked me for that before. Doing so gives me full access to MAIN's files which I didn't want because I have sensitive files on it that only MAIN has permission to open. Anyways, I uninstalled File and Printer Sharing from both MAIN and my wireless laptop and reset all permissions. Then I went through the Create A Home Network Wizard and made a new workgroup and changed the names of both computers. Now I have a similar problem than I did some time ago. MAIN can access all other shared files on the network just fine, but no other pc can access MAIN's files at all. Now it says that I do not have permission to access MAIN's resources and access is denied. I have another wired box with the same problem. That box can't access MAIN either, but it has no problem accessing the wireless laptop and vice versa. What the hell could be the problem with MAIN? (Sorry but this is very frustrating)

 

Defiantly is confusing.
Think you need to start over again.

If have both a wireless modem combo router AND a separate wireless router make sure you’re going thru the wireless router (else it requires a bit more of a setup with IP configs, DHCP settings).
If both are wireless turn OFF wireless mode on the modem n check that all computers are plugged into the router.

File n printer sharing should be enabled.
Might be a good idea to do a start "“ run "“ cmd - ipconfig/all on all computers and see if all ip addresses in same group.
xxx.xxx.xxx.yyy
X numbers should be the same.

If they are then it’s a permissions problem.
If they’re not then it’s a setup problem.

I’ll assume that all are in same workgroup.
Double check any wireless settings "“ that’s different then wired settings and can actually have both setup.

 

Oh well

The router I'm using is a 2wire dsl modem with built in wireless access point and four ethernet ports. All ip addresses are correct and all computers are in the same workgroup. The wireless laptop still can't access MAIN when i connect using an ethernet cable, so it has to be something wrong with MAIN and I too am assuming it's with permissions. I turned off easy file and print sharing so I can see who has permission to do what, but everything seems fine. Either way, it's time for my quarterly backup of MAIN so I'm just gonna format my machine. If that doesn't work, it's time to lay a smack down.

 

Try to enable the guest account on MAIN.
Looks like its disablet (and that is the best thing if you want it secured)

 

PaalN's suggestion is a good one. Read about that somewhere but thought it was just for XPHome edition.

I forgot an obvious thing - turn off any firewalls on MAIN for checking. It may not allow incomming.

 

there aren't any software firewalls on MAIN. the only firewall I have is built into the modem/router and it hasn't changed. i made sure by resetting it to default setting which allow incomming and outgoing traffic. the settings are the same for all computers. due to the fact that my other wired box can connect freely with my wireless laptop (even when i use an ethernet cable) and MAIN can connect to both, it's gotta be something wrong with MAIN. im just gonna nuke it.

 

But did you try to enable guest account?
If you dont know how to do it, click start->run, and type lusrmgr.msc. (hit enter)
Click Users, then right click guest, and click properties.
Uncheck the "Account is disabled "
Im pretty sure this is why you have to log in to your win xp pro