Windows XP networking problems: file sharing failure

Hi,

I have 3 pc`s connected via a wireless router, 2 PC`s are hardwired and one is wirelessly connected.

All 3 pc`s are running XP Pro with SP2 and all the latest updates.

I`ve been trying to set up the file and printer sharing for the past few days now and I`m stumped with one problem.

I`ve gotten 2 of the PC`s to connect without problems.

PC1 & PC2 are hard wired, whilst PC3 is on the wireless connection.

PC1 = Can view and copy files, but won`t share (sharing is turned on, firewall turned off)
PC2 = Can view, can share and can receive files (firewall turned off).
PC3 = Can view, can share and can receive files (firewall turned off).

File & Printer Sharing is turned on, on all 3 PC`s but PC1 will not share its files, its seen and can be pinged from the other 2 (PC2&3) PC`s but they won`t connect to the shared files when I try to add a new network place on them. I`ve tried the built in troubleshooter without luck, I`ve also tried the online docs at the Microsoft site and other PC help sites to no avail.

All 3 PC`s are configured the same, but PC1 just doesn`t seem to want to share its files to others on the network.

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks in advance

 

Do they all have or not have passwords required for logon?

 

No passwords for any of the accounts

 

Is the Guest account enabled on all of the PCs? It is disabled by default when XP Pro is installed and the way you are set up (accounts without passwords) it has to be enabled. This is pretty non-secure BTW.

 

Hi Newt,

Yes Guest accounts are setup on all 3 PC`s

All 3 PC`s have user accounts and no passwords, still no joy.

I tried setting up test accounts with passwords and adding that user to the shared folders and it connected fine in all directions, its just the 2 other PC`s wont connect to the main PC when I`m using my username.

I just don`t understand it, I`ve searched long and hard for an answer to this on the net and this has me totally stumped.

If all else fails, I can use the test users I setup, but I need to transfer everything over from the old user to the new user (test one atm), is that possible, or would I lose everything and have to start over?

 

I'm betting on your user profile being damaged in some way if it works with other user names.

Creating a new user is probably your best bet and the instructions Here will walk you through transferring most of the old information to your new profile. The only stuff that you will have to do over is items that may have been damaged and wouldn't be a good idea to transfer.

 

Thanks Newt,

I`ve recreated my user account and its all working now.

I had to make user accounts with passwords on all 3 PC`s for it all to work correctly.

Consider the matter closed

 

Glad to hear you are cured.