Network share requests username/password
 

Until a couple of days ago my two PC network worked flawlessly allowing me to access shared folders without a problem, not any more :(

AFAIK I have not changed anything but now when I try to access a shared folder on one PC I now get asked for a username and password which I didn't before.

If I try to map a drive to a share on the other computer the share does not show up when I click 'browse' and if I type in the path it asks for the password for user \\PCB\guest.

If I access a share on PCA from PCB it works as it always did, i.e. it does not ask for a username or password.

OS is WinXP Pro, both PCs are in the same workgroup, both have static IP addresses and are not the same but have the same subnet mask.
Both PCs are set for 'use simple file sharing', XP firewall is not enabled, ZA (free version) is on PCA, PCB IP address is in ZA's trusted zone and I have tried that on both medium and low setting.

Advice appreciated.

Re: Network share requests username/password
 

Has someone put a password on the guest account?

Go into 'User Accounts' in Control Panel and reset Guest password to blank. Have you got a good firewall if you've got active guest accounts?

HTH

Re: Network share requests username/password
 

Thanks for the reply Aragorn.

I have just changed the 'Guest' settings on PCB and can now connect to those shares from PCA but I am almost sure I had the Guest account disabled on both computers before this problem arose. That account is enabled on both computers now, but that may be because I have removed and then re-enabled simple file sharing in an effort to solve the problem.

If anyone has changed the Guest password then it is me because I am the only one using the computers :)

If I wish to disable the Guest account do I need to move away from simple file sharing?

TIA

Re: Network share requests username/password
 

To disable the guest account, go to start, run and type lusrmgr.msc

Press enter and the console should open up.

Click on users folder in the pane on the left and double click the account which you wish to disable. A box will open up and you will be ableto disable the account from there.

Re: Network share requests username/password
 

IIRC you can disable the Guest account but I think you need the same user names on both computers (and ideally the same or blank passwords).

Re: Network share requests username/password
 

Having drawn a blank on Microsoft's site in how to file share in a workgroup without using the guest account and not being able to select a user from the other PC if simple file sharing is turned off I give up.

I will use the Guest account but make sure the password is something obscure.

Thanks for the input guys.

Re: Network share requests username/password
 

IIRC you need to have the same user name AND password on both computers. Logging in to one should then authenticate on the other as well.

Re: Network share requests username/password
 

Have you thought about ringing Microsoft?

Re: Network share requests username/password
 

Aragorn suggested that as well John, I tried it but it didn't appear to work but I will give it another go.

It's much easier at work where we have domains ;)

Re: Network share requests username/password
 

I think I would sooner do 'format c:' than that Neil :)

Re: Network share requests username/password
 

To be fair when I called them over an issue on my Nan's upgrade copy (XP)they were excellent, in fact one of the best companies I've dealt with over the phone. Knowledgeable, helpful and polite. Oh and they didn't cut me off. :)

Re: Network share requests username/password
 

I have only had to call them twice the first time it was to activate my copy of XP (Because I'd made too many changes :)) They grilled me for 10 mins before they'd give me the code!!!

The second time was for someone else and they were very helpful and clever :)

Give them a call - it can't hurt. As long as you don't have an OEM or dodgy version of XP that is :)