cannot access shared folder on ME from XP computer

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Vicki - 29 Apr 2005 18:12 GMT

Hello. I cannot access the shared folder on my wireless ME PC from my wired
XP Pro PC. Here is what happens;
I ran the network setup that XP requires from a floppy. All seemed to go
just fine. I then set up a shared folder on the ME pc with a full access
password. The XP machine sees the ME pc on the network, but when I put in the
password, the password screen just keeps coming up with the password
highlighted and does nothing. No access.
I have triple checked my password (spelling)...checked caps lock, checked to
make sure both keyboards were functioning properly. Checked the network
name...all good. All of the computers connect to the internet just fine. The
ME computer can access the shared folder on the XP machine just fine.

Here is my config:
2 XP Pro and 1 ME system(s) set up on network using router. 1 of the XP's
and the ME are wireless. All connecting to internet just fine. XP Pro
machines fully updated but NOT to SP2. ME fully updated.

No firewall(s) on any of the machines. The problem seems to be something to
do with accepting passwords. I even changed the password a couple
times...(yeah, a desperate move..)
There are no saved passwords in the XP Networking thingy...so that's not it...

Any Ideas???!!! All help is appreciated, and "thanks" in advance, Vicki

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N. Miller - 29 Apr 2005 22:16 GMT

> Hello. I cannot access the shared folder on my wireless ME PC from my wired
> XP Pro PC. Here is what happens;
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> name...all good. All of the computers connect to the internet just fine. The
> ME computer can access the shared folder on the XP machine just fine.

> Here is my config:
> 2 XP Pro and 1 ME system(s) set up on network using router. 1 of the XP's
> and the ME are wireless. All connecting to internet just fine. XP Pro
> machines fully updated but NOT to SP2. ME fully updated.

> No firewall(s) on any of the machines. The problem seems to be something to
> do with accepting passwords. I even changed the password a couple
> times...(yeah, a desperate move..)
> There are no saved passwords in the XP Networking thingy...so that's not it...

> Any Ideas???!!! All help is appreciated, and "thanks" in advance, Vicki

First idea; are you behind a NAT router? Please, either that, or that your
SBC DSL modem has a NAT router built in. Otherwise, no firewall + HSI access
+ Windows XP = big time trouble.

Now, about that password. Did you try, just long enough for troubleshooting
purposes, deleting the password and trying to connect without a password?

Final idea; about those wireless connections. Are you using a WPA
passphrase? All of the digits? Randomized? Anything else is much less
secure.

Signature

Norman
~Win dain a lotica, En vai tu ri, Si lo ta
~Fin dein a loluca, En dragu a sei lain
~Vi fa-ru les shutai am, En riga-lint

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Vicki - 29 Apr 2005 23:36 GMT

Hello N. Miller,
No, no wpa or wep...Instead, I set up mac address filtering so that it only
allows the 3 pcs to connect..turned off broadcasting, changed default name of
wireless network..
Plus, they are out in the middle of nowhere...literally...and it's off the
main road...further than any wireless signal can reach. how we even get
broadband is surprising..
I "assume" the whole reason for using wpa or wep is to keep people out..?
Since there is no one out there, I dont see how anyone can tap in to the
signal..Am I wrong?

Also, I did not check to see if I could connect without a password...not
sure why it didnt cross my mind. but, yeah, that's my next move..I'm pretty
sure it will.

Any other ideas? ...thanks

> > Hello. I cannot access the shared folder on my wireless ME PC from my wired
> > XP Pro PC. Here is what happens;
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> passphrase? All of the digits? Randomized? Anything else is much less
> secure.

Reply to this Message

N. Miller - 30 Apr 2005 04:33 GMT

> No, no wpa or wep...Instead, I set up mac address filtering so that it only
> allows the 3 pcs to connect..turned off broadcasting, changed default name of
> wireless network..

MAC addresses can be sniffed with something like Ethereal. The packets of a
wireless network aren't being encrypted. No SSID broadcasting and MAC
address filtering are akin to locking your screen door when you leave the
house.

> Plus, they are out in the middle of nowhere...literally...and it's off the
> main road...further than any wireless signal can reach. how we even get
> broadband is surprising..

I will see if I can find the site where the author described setting up a
directional antenna. Granted, he was on a hilltop in Marin county,
California, and had a clear line-of-site shot to the friend's house below.
He got a connection from two miles out, or so.

> I "assume" the whole reason for using wpa or wep is to keep people out..?
> Since there is no one out there, I dont see how anyone can tap in to the
> signal..Am I wrong?

Do you gamble the rent money? You could be wrong.

> Also, I did not check to see if I could connect without a password...not
> sure why it didnt cross my mind. but, yeah, that's my next move..I'm pretty
> sure it will.

> Any other ideas? ...thanks

Can't think of any right now. Just know that networking is as much art as
science. I know a geek who had trouble, but I waltzed in an bailed him out
in thirty minutes. I can't put together a decent resume for networking,
though; no MCSAA, or A+, or MCSE...whatever alphabet soup is involved. Can't
even discuss layer 1, layer 2 stuff with the pros. I am just winging it on
my own. Regardless of what some say, networking is not easy; you are not
alone.

Signature

Norman
~Win dain a lotica, En vai tu ri, Si lo ta
~Fin dein a loluca, En dragu a sei lain
~Vi fa-ru les shutai am, En riga-lint

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Vicki - 29 Apr 2005 23:45 GMT

Sorry..I missed part of your question...I am using a Linksys wgrt54G, updated
to latest firmware. I have it set up as a gateway, not a router. I dont know
what "HSI access" means...?

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N. Miller - 30 Apr 2005 04:23 GMT

> Sorry..I missed part of your question...I am using a Linksys wgrt54G, updated
> to latest firmware. I have it set up as a gateway, not a router. I dont know
> what "HSI access" means...?

HSI = High Speed Internet. My router is wired, routing and gateway (and
print server; all in one). You must have a Speedstream 5100B? PPPoE on the
modem? Just curious; it shouldn't affect your LAN shares.

Signature

Norman
~Win dain a lotica, En vai tu ri, Si lo ta
~Fin dein a loluca, En dragu a sei lain
~Vi fa-ru les shutai am, En riga-lint

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Vicki - 30 Apr 2005 18:22 GMT

Hi again...thanks for all the advice..I will be setting up security now...Ü
I didnt know they could "grab" the signal from that far..yikes..

Anyway, the broadband is actually cable..not dsl...I ran a port check, and
we are completely stealthed..thank goodness..I guess the only thing left to
take care of is the wpa...and the password probs...

I appreciate all of your help, N. Miller...have a great weekend.. Vicki

> > Sorry..I missed part of your question...I am using a Linksys wgrt54G, updated
> > to latest firmware. I have it set up as a gateway, not a router. I dont know
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> print server; all in one). You must have a Speedstream 5100B? PPPoE on the
> modem? Just curious; it shouldn't affect your LAN shares.

Reply to this Message

N. Miller - 02 May 2005 01:58 GMT

>Hi again...thanks for all the advice..I will be setting up security now...Ü
>I didnt know they could "grab" the signal from that far..yikes..

RF propagation is something akin to magic at times. I witnessed a
"battle of the FDCs" once, while in a California Army National Guard
artillery unit (FDC=Fire Dircection Computer). The FM voice radios in
use should have been "line of sight", and under 50 miles range. Our
FDC, at Camp Roberts, California, was on the same frequency as a
regular army FDC at Fort Lewis, Washington; maybe 1,500 miles, or so.
Actually a seriously dangerous situation because the FDC directs where
the guns will point; the impact areas for the rounds fired are almost
certainly on different directions from the guns on each post. Army
Signal Corps headquarters had to sort that one out; assigned us a
different frequency because RA get priority over reserves.

>Anyway, the broadband is actually cable..not dsl...I ran a port check, and
>we are completely stealthed..thank goodness..I guess the only thing left to
>take care of is the wpa...and the password probs...

Ah. You are posting from an SBC connection (swbell.net IP address), so
I assumed you had DSL under the old SouthWestern Bell system.

>I appreciate all of your help, N. Miller...have a great weekend.. Vicki

You're welcome. I will try.

Norman
~I'll be there, by your side
~in the land of Twilight.
~In your dream I will go
~'till we find the Sunlight.

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Steve Winograd [MVP] - 30 Apr 2005 19:40 GMT

>Hello. I cannot access the shared folder on my wireless ME PC from my wired
>XP Pro PC. Here is what happens;
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
>Any Ideas???!!! All help is appreciated, and "thanks" in advance, Vicki

I think that you've run into a bug in Windows XP. It occurs
when another computer's name includes a space, the computer has a
shared disk or folder with a password, and Windows XP tries to access
the share.

Remove the password from the share, or remove all spaces (leading,
embedded, trailing) from the ME computer's name, and reboot ME. Then,
try accessing the folder from XP again.

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Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

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http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

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http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

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Vicki - 04 May 2005 15:02 GMT

Hello. I just wanted to say "Thank You" for your reply.
By chance, is there a list of all currently "known" bugs for XP?

> >Hello. I cannot access the shared folder on my wireless ME PC from my wired
> >XP Pro PC. Here is what happens;
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> embedded, trailing) from the ME computer's name, and reboot ME. Then,
> try accessing the folder from XP again.

Reply to this Message

Steve Winograd [MVP] - 04 May 2005 20:22 GMT

>> >Hello. I cannot access the shared folder on my wireless ME PC from my wired
>> >XP Pro PC. Here is what happens;
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>Hello. I just wanted to say "Thank You" for your reply.
>By chance, is there a list of all currently "known" bugs for XP?

You're welcome. Take a look at the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

Select the desired Windows version from the "Search Product" menu.

Another method that sometimes works better is to do a Google advanced
search, specifying "www.microsoft.com" in the Domain box:

http://www.google.com/advanced_search?hl=en

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