How do I get winxp file sharing to work?

My network consisted of destop and two wirelessly connected laptops all
running winxp pro. File sharing worked fine, with all computers being able to
see all the drives of all the other computers.

Today I added another wirelessly connected laptop (IBM ThinkPad) to my
network using the same workgroup name (simple file sharing). The ThinkPad can
now see all the other drives on the other 3 computers.

From explorer on the other computers, I go to Entire Network, then Microsoft
Windows Network, then my workgroup name, and I see all the computers on the
network including the new ThinkPad. However when I click on it I get the
error message:

\\ThinkPad is not accessible. You might not have persmission to use this
network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you
have access permissions. The remote server has been paused or is in the
process of being started.

I made sure that File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks was
enabled, and I had set the root directory of the c drive as sharable with
write access and even set one of the subdirectories as sharable as well just
to make sure it wasn't a problem with the root directory.

I even tried adding the protocol "NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible
Transport Protocol" since I saw a tip that suggested it, to no avail.
Explorer still gives the same frustrating error message.

Since the error message mentioned a paused process, I ran "what's running"
on the thinkpad and all the processes (including the svchose.exe processes)
look reasonable to me. I've also uninstalled the virus protection software,
again to no avail.

I don't know if it is relevent, but I can ping the ThinkPad from the other
computers no problem (using its network address), and of course the ThinkPad
can also ping the other computers in the network.

I'm completely out of ideas. Does anybody have any ideas for me. If so it
would be much appreciated, as I've already wasted 5 hours working on this
problem.
Thanks
~Paul

pmennen
Sun Apr 27 14:17:00 PDT 2008

Oh and I forgot to mention, I turned off the microsoft firewall on the
thinkpad just to make sure that wasn't the problem. It wasn't. Same error
message of course.
~Paul

Steve
Sun Apr 27 16:04:08 PDT 2008

On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:14:00 -0700, pmennen
<pmennen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>My network consisted of destop and two wirelessly connected laptops all
>running winxp pro. File sharing worked fine, with all computers being able to
>see all the drives of all the other computers.
>
>Today I added another wirelessly connected laptop (IBM ThinkPad) to my
>network using the same workgroup name (simple file sharing). The ThinkPad can
>now see all the other drives on the other 3 computers.
>
>From explorer on the other computers, I go to Entire Network, then Microsoft
>Windows Network, then my workgroup name, and I see all the computers on the
>network including the new ThinkPad. However when I click on it I get the
>error message:
>
>\\ThinkPad is not accessible. You might not have persmission to use this
>network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you
>have access permissions. The remote server has been paused or is in the
>process of being started.
>
>I made sure that File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks was
>enabled, and I had set the root directory of the c drive as sharable with
>write access and even set one of the subdirectories as sharable as well just
>to make sure it wasn't a problem with the root directory.
>
>I even tried adding the protocol "NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible
>Transport Protocol" since I saw a tip that suggested it, to no avail.
>Explorer still gives the same frustrating error message.
>
>Since the error message mentioned a paused process, I ran "what's running"
>on the thinkpad and all the processes (including the svchose.exe processes)
>look reasonable to me. I've also uninstalled the virus protection software,
>again to no avail.
>
>I don't know if it is relevent, but I can ping the ThinkPad from the other
>computers no problem (using its network address), and of course the ThinkPad
>can also ping the other computers in the network.
>
>I'm completely out of ideas. Does anybody have any ideas for me. If so it
>would be much appreciated, as I've already wasted 5 hours working on this
>problem.
>Thanks
>~Paul

Run "services.msc" on the ThinkPad, and make sure that the Server
service is started. Look for any other services that are paused.

I think that the NWLink tip is bogus. Windows networking works best
with the same, single protocol on all computers.
--
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.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Chuck
Sun Apr 27 16:47:29 PDT 2008

On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:14:00 -0700, pmennen <pmennen@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote:

>My network consisted of destop and two wirelessly connected laptops all
>running winxp pro. File sharing worked fine, with all computers being able to
>see all the drives of all the other computers.
>
>Today I added another wirelessly connected laptop (IBM ThinkPad) to my
>network using the same workgroup name (simple file sharing). The ThinkPad can
>now see all the other drives on the other 3 computers.
>
>From explorer on the other computers, I go to Entire Network, then Microsoft
>Windows Network, then my workgroup name, and I see all the computers on the
>network including the new ThinkPad. However when I click on it I get the
>error message:
>
>\\ThinkPad is not accessible. You might not have persmission to use this
>network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you
>have access permissions. The remote server has been paused or is in the
>process of being started.
>
>I made sure that File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks was
>enabled, and I had set the root directory of the c drive as sharable with
>write access and even set one of the subdirectories as sharable as well just
>to make sure it wasn't a problem with the root directory.
>
>I even tried adding the protocol "NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible
>Transport Protocol" since I saw a tip that suggested it, to no avail.
>Explorer still gives the same frustrating error message.
>
>Since the error message mentioned a paused process, I ran "what's running"
>on the thinkpad and all the processes (including the svchose.exe processes)
>look reasonable to me. I've also uninstalled the virus protection software,
>again to no avail.
>
>I don't know if it is relevent, but I can ping the ThinkPad from the other
>computers no problem (using its network address), and of course the ThinkPad
>can also ping the other computers in the network.
>
>I'm completely out of ideas. Does anybody have any ideas for me. If so it
>would be much appreciated, as I've already wasted 5 hours working on this
>problem.
>Thanks
>~Paul

Paul,

Please start by removing IXP/SPX. For best results you need to use just one
protocol.
<http://networking.nitecruzr.net/2005/05/fix-network-problems-but-clean-up.html>
http://networking.nitecruzr.net/2005/05/fix-network-problems-but-clean-up.html

NetBT is the native protocol used in Windows Networking. Make sure that it's
explicitly Enabled in all computers.
<http://networking.nitecruzr.net/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html>
http://networking.nitecruzr.net/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html

And check the restrictanonymous setting.
<http://networking.nitecruzr.net/2005/07/restrictanonymous-and-your-server.html>
http://networking.nitecruzr.net/2005/07/restrictanonymous-and-your-server.html

And make sure that you don't have an overlooked personal firewall. What
antivirus protection do you use?
<http://networking.nitecruzr.net/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
http://networking.nitecruzr.net/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html


--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://networking.nitecruzr.net/

Chuck
Sun Apr 27 16:57:19 PDT 2008

On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:04:08 -0600, Steve Winograd <bc070521m@comcast.net>
wrote:

>On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:14:00 -0700, pmennen
><pmennen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>>From explorer on the other computers, I go to Entire Network, then Microsoft
>>Windows Network, then my workgroup name, and I see all the computers on the
>>network including the new ThinkPad. However when I click on it I get the
>>error message:
>>
>>\\ThinkPad is not accessible. You might not have persmission to use this
>>network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you
>>have access permissions. The remote server has been paused or is in the
>>process of being started.

>>I even tried adding the protocol "NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible
>>Transport Protocol" since I saw a tip that suggested it, to no avail.
>>Explorer still gives the same frustrating error message.
>
>I think that the NWLink tip is bogus. Windows networking works best
>with the same, single protocol on all computers.

Steve,

Here, I suspect, is the tip in question:
<http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t6813.html>
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t6813.html
"I also had this error message, and then I read on another site that I needed
NetBIOS for a mixed OS enviroment -- XP and Windows 2000 in my case. I went to
the properties of the Local Area Connection and installed a protocol called
"NWLink IPX/XPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol" from the install list."

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://networking.nitecruzr.net/

Steve
Sun Apr 27 17:11:51 PDT 2008

On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:57:19 -0700, "Chuck [MVP]" <none@example.net>
wrote:

>On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:04:08 -0600, Steve Winograd <bc070521m@comcast.net>
>wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:14:00 -0700, pmennen
>><pmennen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
>>>From explorer on the other computers, I go to Entire Network, then Microsoft
>>>Windows Network, then my workgroup name, and I see all the computers on the
>>>network including the new ThinkPad. However when I click on it I get the
>>>error message:
>>>
>>>\\ThinkPad is not accessible. You might not have persmission to use this
>>>network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you
>>>have access permissions. The remote server has been paused or is in the
>>>process of being started.
>
>>>I even tried adding the protocol "NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible
>>>Transport Protocol" since I saw a tip that suggested it, to no avail.
>>>Explorer still gives the same frustrating error message.
>>
>>I think that the NWLink tip is bogus. Windows networking works best
>>with the same, single protocol on all computers.
>
>Steve,
>
>Here, I suspect, is the tip in question:
><http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t6813.html>
>http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t6813.html
>"I also had this error message, and then I read on another site that I needed
>NetBIOS for a mixed OS enviroment -- XP and Windows 2000 in my case. I went to
>the properties of the Local Area Connection and installed a protocol called
>"NWLink IPX/XPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol" from the install list."

Yes, I think so, Chuck.

A few years ago, there was a notorious poster in the Windows XP
networking news group who recommended adding IPX/SPX to solve all
networking problems. I think it was bad advice then, and now.
--
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.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Chuck
Sun Apr 27 17:49:07 PDT 2008

On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:11:51 -0600, Steve Winograd <bc070521m@comcast.net>
wrote:

>On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:57:19 -0700, "Chuck [MVP]" <none@example.net>
>wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:04:08 -0600, Steve Winograd <bc070521m@comcast.net>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:14:00 -0700, pmennen
>>><pmennen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>
>>>>From explorer on the other computers, I go to Entire Network, then Microsoft
>>>>Windows Network, then my workgroup name, and I see all the computers on the
>>>>network including the new ThinkPad. However when I click on it I get the
>>>>error message:
>>>>
>>>>\\ThinkPad is not accessible. You might not have persmission to use this
>>>>network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you
>>>>have access permissions. The remote server has been paused or is in the
>>>>process of being started.
>>
>>>>I even tried adding the protocol "NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible
>>>>Transport Protocol" since I saw a tip that suggested it, to no avail.
>>>>Explorer still gives the same frustrating error message.
>>>
>>>I think that the NWLink tip is bogus. Windows networking works best
>>>with the same, single protocol on all computers.
>>
>>Steve,
>>
>>Here, I suspect, is the tip in question:
>><http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t6813.html>
>>http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t6813.html
>>"I also had this error message, and then I read on another site that I needed
>>NetBIOS for a mixed OS enviroment -- XP and Windows 2000 in my case. I went to
>>the properties of the Local Area Connection and installed a protocol called
>>"NWLink IPX/XPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol" from the install list."
>
>Yes, I think so, Chuck.
>
>A few years ago, there was a notorious poster in the Windows XP
>networking news group who recommended adding IPX/SPX to solve all
>networking problems. I think it was bad advice then, and now.

LOL. Cue "Memories" playing in the background.

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://networking.nitecruzr.net/

pmennen
Sun Apr 27 18:06:01 PDT 2008

> Run "services.msc" on the ThinkPad, and make sure that the Server
> service is started. Look for any other services that are paused.

Ok, I checked that and indeed it was "Paused"! (Why?)
I clicked "resume" and instantly the file sharing worked.
Great news, except it looks like I have to run services.msc every
time I start the thinkpad - not so convenient.

Any way around that?

By the way, the details from services.msc on the paused service:

General tab ---------
Path to executable: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
Startup type: Automatic
Log On tab ----------
Local System account
Recovery tab ------------
All 3 failure conditions set to "Take No Action"
Dependencies tab ----------
<No Dependencies> (greyed out)
The following system components depend on this service: Computer Browser

---------------------------------

> I think that the NWLink tip is bogus. Windows networking works best
> with the same, single protocol on all computers.

Looks like you are correct. I deleted the NWLink protocol.

> Please start by removing IXP/SPX. For best results you need to use just one
protocol.

I don't see anything called IPX/SPX so I don't think I ever had that.

> NetBT is the native protocol used in Windows Networking. Make sure that it's
explicitly Enabled in all computers.

It doesn't appear I had that, so I tried explicitly enabling it, although I
dont' think that changes anything.

> And check the restrictanonymous setting.

I did, and that was already cleared.

> And make sure that you don't have an overlooked personal firewall.

I don't think I have any other firewalls.

> What antivirus protection do you use?

At the moment NONE. (They seem to cause more problems than they solve?

Thanks
~Paul

pmennen
Sun Apr 27 18:09:01 PDT 2008

(Sorry if this is a double post, I wasn't sure if I replied to the correct one)

> Run "services.msc" on the ThinkPad, and make sure that the Server
> service is started. Look for any other services that are paused.

Ok, I checked that and indeed it was "Paused"! (Why?)
I clicked "resume" and instantly the file sharing worked.
Great news, except it looks like I have to run services.msc every
time I start the thinkpad - not so convenient.

Any way around that?

By the way, the details from services.msc on the paused service:

General tab ---------
Path to executable: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
Startup type: Automatic
Log On tab ----------
Local System account
Recovery tab ------------
All 3 failure conditions set to "Take No Action"
Dependencies tab ----------
<No Dependencies> (greyed out)
The following system components depend on this service: Computer Browser

---------------------------------

> I think that the NWLink tip is bogus. Windows networking works best
> with the same, single protocol on all computers.

Looks like you are correct. I deleted the NWLink protocol.

> Please start by removing IXP/SPX. For best results you need to use just one
protocol.

I don't see anything called IPX/SPX so I don't think I ever had that.

> NetBT is the native protocol used in Windows Networking. Make sure that it's
explicitly Enabled in all computers.

It doesn't appear I had that, so I tried explicitly enabling it, although I
dont' think that changes anything.

> And check the restrictanonymous setting.

I did, and that was already cleared.

> And make sure that you don't have an overlooked personal firewall.

I don't think I have any other firewalls.

> What antivirus protection do you use?

At the moment NONE. (They seem to cause more problems than they solve?

Thanks
~Paul

Steve
Sun Apr 27 19:34:02 PDT 2008

On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:06:01 -0700, pmennen
<pmennen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>> Run "services.msc" on the ThinkPad, and make sure that the Server
>> service is started. Look for any other services that are paused.
>
>Ok, I checked that and indeed it was "Paused"! (Why?)
>I clicked "resume" and instantly the file sharing worked.
>Great news, except it looks like I have to run services.msc every
>time I start the thinkpad - not so convenient.
>
>Any way around that?
>
>By the way, the details from services.msc on the paused service:
>
>General tab ---------
>Path to executable: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
> Startup type: Automatic
>Log On tab ----------
> Local System account
>Recovery tab ------------
> All 3 failure conditions set to "Take No Action"
>Dependencies tab ----------
> <No Dependencies> (greyed out)
> The following system components depend on this service: Computer Browser

It's not normal for the Server service to be paused. Setting the
recovery conditions to "Restart the Service" might help.

To find the cause, run Event Viewer and look for any relevant error
messages:

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308427
--
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.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

pmennen
Mon Apr 28 02:31:01 PDT 2008

> It's not normal for the Server service to be paused. Setting the
> recovery conditions to "Restart the Service" might help.

Unfortunately that did not help.

> To find the cause, run Event Viewer and look for any relevant error
> messages:

There were some error messages in there although I am at a loss to know if
they are relevant to this problem, nor how to fix the problems causing these
messages. Here are the errors reported:

Event viewer (Application), Event Source: Userenv
The Group Policy client-side extension Security failed to execute. Please
look for any errors reported earlier by that extension.

Event viewer (System), Event Type: Error
The Cisco Systems IPsec Driver service depends on the following nonexistent
service: DNE

Do you think these errors are related ti the problem?

Steve
Mon Apr 28 02:58:24 PDT 2008

On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:31:01 -0700, pmennen
<pmennen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>> It's not normal for the Server service to be paused. Setting the
>> recovery conditions to "Restart the Service" might help.
>
>Unfortunately that did not help.
>
>> To find the cause, run Event Viewer and look for any relevant error
>> messages:
>
>There were some error messages in there although I am at a loss to know if
>they are relevant to this problem, nor how to fix the problems causing these
>messages. Here are the errors reported:
>
>Event viewer (Application), Event Source: Userenv
>The Group Policy client-side extension Security failed to execute. Please
>look for any errors reported earlier by that extension.
>
>Event viewer (System), Event Type: Error
>The Cisco Systems IPsec Driver service depends on the following nonexistent
>service: DNE
>
>Do you think these errors are related ti the problem?

I don't know. But I've heard of strange networking problems that are
related to the Cisco VPN client. If it's installed, un-install it and
see what happens.
--
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.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com