XP PRO networking problem

How do i set the NTFS permissions?
Sorry i'm a bit of a newbie still at networking

1. Open a Windows Explorer window
2. Tools -> Folder Options -> View -> uncheck "Use Simple File Sharing"
3. To set NTFS permissions: right-click a certain folder -> Sharing and security, add user, and assign privileges to that user.
Read more in the Windows XP Help and Support.

I have followed your instructions and that in windows xp help and support but i still get the same window appear each time i try to access the files on the client pc......User name and password required. The windows xp help and support was the first place i went to to see where i was going wrong with the networking. Any other ideas??? :)

You could also make an account for the host pc, Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management and in local users and groups add the login name and password of the computer you are using to connect to this pc.

Sorry but i've tried that as well and i still get the request for ~~~~~User Name and password when i try to access the client pc's files.........now you know why i's banging my head against a brickwall and why i'm getting desperate, i never thought networking was going to be such hard work :(
tauripip

Are you using Fast User Switching (click on icon to login)?  Or are you using the "traditional" WIndows NT "Control-Alt-Delete" login?

Try logging in locally as Administrator, set a password for Administrator. Then, on the other PC, try entering Administrator as the user, and the new password you have set.

Sorry once again............tried all that and still cant access the files on client pc, still wants a user name and password. Set administrator on both pc's (was that already anyway) and tried setting a new password. When i typed that in when asked it still came back with the same result. The example suggested by the Pasword/user name box is "USERNAME         username@domain      DOMAIN/username" but we have not set the network up as a domain it is set up as a workgroup......does this help at all??????

right-click My Computer -> Manage -> Local Users And Groups -> Users -> right-click Guest -> Properties -> uncheck "Account is disabled"

If it is already unchecked then in the user field type "Guest", leave a blank password and click "OK"

And... as a general rule... you can't connect to a computer if the password for the account is left blank (except for the Guest account)

Also, please verify that they are in fact in the same workgroup.

Hey Tauripip,

Sounds like the "Network Wizzard" has locked you out.

Go to the "client" network connections folder (R-click My Network Places - hit properties)...if there is a gold lock enabled on the connection this was your problem.  The wizzard turned on the Microsoft firewall.  To disable it R-click the connection and hit Properties then go to the Advanced Tab and uncheck Internet Connection Firewall ;-)

Thanks cartman but again the guest account is enabled on both pc's and no password for set on either also.
Thanks wired but again yes both pc's are on the same workgroup so the problem isnt there either.
And finally thanks to harryballz honestly thought you had the answer then.........but yup you guessed, its not that either none of the folders on the client pc are locked :(

Guess i must be one of the awkward customers that is never satisfied with the simple solutions, i always have been an awkward (well so me mum tells me lol)

Any other suggestion i will willing try.....please keep them coming i'm sure someone will come up with the solution.......one day!!!
Tauripip

not on the folders on the Network Connection!

On the Desktop R-click My Network Places - hit properties
look at the connections...is there a gold lock?  if so r-click teh connection and - hit properties then the advanced tab and uncheck the Internet Connection Firewall

Are you sure you tried to use Guest with a blank password?

Sorry to disapoint you both but the answer is still the same.
The box that comes up when i try to access the files asks for a user name if i just click ok i get an example of " USERNAME      username@domain        DOMAIN/username". Not sure if thats any help at all to get the solution, but the networking is set as a workgroup not a domain.
Can put new items into share folders on HOST pc and get to them from the CLIENT pc (have just made sure of this by pacing a new download into the shares folder, just to ensure that the file sharing was still working ok from the CLIENT to the HOST pc's)
Cart_man, no passwords have been entered on either pc to gain access, at all, EVER. Both pc's have full administrator rights for myself .  
I have tried the 'pinging' on both pc's too, and that worked fine from both pc's so the 'actual' connection is fine, its just the sharing thats having any problem, and as i said in my initial query with being an AOL customer ICS is not an option we are able to take at the moment so with the host pc being the only one able to access the internet its making life rather difficult not being able to access the CLIENT pc's files from the HOST  (my sons course work is on the CLIENT pc and he isnt able to add to the files with downloaded items etc)
Really feel like going back to ordinary dial up internet connecting so that a phone extension lead is all he needs to get on the net again :(
tauripip

Are you sure you have Enabled Simple File Sharing.  Sounds like it's asking permission rights - which it shouldn't.

D-Click My Computer on the Desktop
From the Tools menu choose Folder Options
Then the Veiw Tab
Scroll to the very bottom and put a check in Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)
***check box is only available on XP Pro - not XP Home

Also, were these boxes ever in a Domain administered by a company IT department?  If so, they may have pushed Group Policy down on them for security purposes.

Do you know what protocols are installed on both machines?  From desktop right click My Network Places then click properties.  Then right click your LAN adapter and post what you find; ie: TCP/TP, IPX/SPX, etc.  Do this for bother computers.

Protocols are the same on both pc's and neither pc were pre- owned both brought new so i cant see that they have ever been in a domain at all. The Client pc was a PC world purchase and the host a Tiny purchase so unless either had the Group Policy by the vendors i dont think thats the answer.
Sorry again for not makiking this an eay one to answer :(
tauripip

did you try reinstalling the network stack?

No havent tried that yet. When you say the "stack" do you mean more or less starting all over again? Or should i just start from the networking switch? I was hoping that it was just somehing i hadnt set up correctly and that i didnt have to reinstall it all (it took me almost the first week to get the client pc to see the host pc, so after getting that end sorted out I had hoped for an 'easy solution'
tauripip

No havent tried that yet. When you say the "stack" do you mean more or less starting all over again? Or should i just start from the networking switch? I was hoping that it was just somehing i hadnt set up correctly and that i didnt have to reinstall it all (it took me almost the first week to get the client pc to see the host pc, so after getting that end sorted out I had hoped for an 'easy solution'
tauripip

Just thought i would let you know i have finally managed to sort the problem out...(well in a way), instead of directly clicking on the files in MY Network Places i have to do a search from there for the Client pc, when its found that i can open that folder up and access all the files that are shared on there. Not an ideal solution some may think but after this long of trying any solution is better than none.....and if it works i see no reason in altering it.
Thanks to all for their help and advice
tauripip