You Cannot Access Shared Files Across a Peer to Peer Network in Windows XP

CAUSE

This behavior may occur if both the following conditions are true:

•   NetBIOS over TCP/IP is not turned on (enabled) on one or more computers in the workgroup.

•   The Computer Browser service is not started or is turned off on one or more computers in the workgroup.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, make sure that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is turned on and the Computer Browser service is running on each computer in the workgroup. To do this, follow these steps.

Step 1: Turn on NetBIOS over TCP/IP

1.     Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Network and Internet Connections.

2.     Click Network Connections.

3.     Right-click Local Area Connection, and then click Properties.

4.     Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click Properties.

5.     Click the General tab, and then click Advanced.

6.     Click the WINS tab.

7.     Under NetBIOS setting, click Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP, and then click OK two times.

8.     Click Close to close the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box.

9.     Close the Network Connections window.

Step 2: Start the Computer Browser service

1.     Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.

2.     Double-click Services and Applications.

3.     Double-click Services.

4.     In the right pane, right-click Computer Browser, and then click Start.

5.     Close the Computer Management window.