Error: Network path not found!

In my Network places my own computer does not show (it is in the HOME workgroup). If I do a search for my computer (2kpro) then it is located and shown to be in the HOME workgroup. Okay, so I double-click on 2kpro and it shows me my shared folders. If I click on a shared folder I get the following message:
\\2kpro\downloads is not accessable. Network path not found. --
I have tried renaming the computer, renaming the workgroup, unsharing and resharing various folders, rebooting between, reinstalling windows, using the the networking wizard to create a small business network, using the network identification wizard. Creating a guest account on both computers (connected by a linksys router), making sure that the firewalls are not blocking input from either...The other computer is an XP and it correctly shows itself in the HOME workgroup and you can access its shared folders. You can ping either computer, and the router from both computers. I am thinking this is not a network problem, but rather a "path" problem with this computer, but I have no experience with network path problems, and can think of nothing else to do. Why does my HOME workgroup show 0 objects, yet if you search, it is in the home workgroup? Okay, so go up a folder from 2kpro, you are now in HOME- 0 objects. The net result of this is: if I don't get in the network workgroup, I can't print. I am furious with this computer!!!! Please, please someone come up with something or at least explain pathing to me. I am not an idiot so you can spell it out in the lingo, this is just not my area of expertise. Thanks in advance!!!! Elizabeth

 

Are all updates done, scanned for a virus? Are you logged in as admin and are all accounts set correctly and have any of the security settings been changed? Did it work before and just start happening?

 

ewvann - it smells more like a networking problem so I moved it here.

First thought - are you logging on to both PCs with a username and a NON-BLANK password? If all your other settings are correct and the Guest account is enabled on both PCs, that should do it for you.

 

Okay- I don't know what to do.

Both accounts have good usernames and non-blank passwords. I am very careful about that given the recent virus threat to insecure passwords. My passwords are complex. As to the inaccessable shares on my own computer, the permissions are set to everyone, guest, network. I cannot access my own shares from this same computer when I go to network places. My concern is that something is corrupted. Sitting at this computer I can successfully search for EWVANN2KPRO and see it listed in the correct workgroup, however if I attempt to access the shared folders I get the error message that either the shared folder is inaccessable or not found on the network. I am not trying to access these shares from another computer, just my own. Since I have tried all the listed suggestions I can think of nothing to do but format this drive and start over with a clean install. I am really unhappy about that because I have customized this computer and am not looking forward to starting over. Oh well, it is certainly better than never being able to print. Thanks.

 

Well, hold off on the format for a little longer.

I am not trying to access these shares from another computer, just my own

Not clear here. It sounds like you are logged on to PC1 that has folder xyz shared as abc and you are trying to open abc.