XP Pro file sharing not working

[apc]

Hi,

I have just done a total reinstall of XP Pro on a Dell Dimension. I have disabled "simple file sharing" to use proper file sharing. Simple file sharing works fine.

The problem I have is that although all other PC's on the network, which are running Windows 2000 Pro, can see the XP Pro PC name etc., it is not seeing any file shares that I have setup. I have experimented with different permissions ranging from specific permission to "everyone" but shared disks and directories are not seen.

The XP Pro machine cannot find network printers either.

Any ideas please?

Thanks.

Best regards.

[neil121183]

I had that kind of problem last year and it was my antivirus firewall doing it.

Make you sure you turn any firewalls off, anti virus or the windows one.

[apc]

Originally posted by neil121183
I had that kind of problem last year and it was my antivirus firewall doing it.

Make you sure you turn any firewalls off, anti virus or the windows one.

Thanks.

Does Windows XP Pro have such a firewall installed as standard, i.e. with the standard install?

Thanks very much.

[Miz]

Yes, XP has a built-in firewall but it's usually not enabled by default. It is, however, a prime source of trouble getting local networks functioning if it's turned on.

To check to see if it's turned on, go to Control Panel>Network connections, right click on the network connection you're using, go to Properties. Then go to the Advanced tab. If the box there is checked, the firewall is turned on. Uncheck the box to turn it off.

Other, free firewalls are much easier to configure for local networks than XP's is. I've used Zone Alarm and am currently using Sygate and have had no problems setting either up to work with my local network.

Well, I had problems with the newest version of Zone Alarm and that, along with a few other ZA troubles, is why I now use Sygate.

[apc]

Thanks, but I checked and the firewall was actually switched off.

Regards.