I am having problem accessing one pc from another. I have a cable modem connected to router, with a laptop and desktop connected to router. I have internet access on both pcs. I have both pcs configured as part of same workgroup. On desktop, when go to network places, I can see the laptop icon. However, when I click on it, I get error "\\laptop is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. Network path not found". Also, if relevant, note that I can ping the desktop from the laptop. But cannot ping the laptop from the desktop.
Also note that the printer is attached to the laptop. On the desktop computer, if go to control panel, I can see the laptop pc icon and if click on icon, can see the queue. However, if try to print from desktop pc, doc enters the queue but get error printing.
Note that firewall is disabled on both laptop and desktop.

quoted from http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech
... is not accessible

Message: "....is not accessible. You may not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. The semaphore timeout period has expired."

Resolutions:
1) make sure no any firewall running.
2) make sure you have created the same workgroup, and the same username on w2k/xp for logging on a remote computer.
3) check user's rights.
4) you may want to enable guest account on w2k/xp.
5) if you are using simple file sharing, you may try to disable it and re-share the drive manually.
6) if it is mixed OS (win98, NT, ME and W2K/XP) network, enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
7) make sure the Computer Browser service is started if all computers are w2k/xp.
8) stop Computer Browser service on win9x, ME and NT if this is a mixed OS network.
9) cache credential by using net use \\computername\share /user:username command (it is better to have the username logon shared computer).
10) if you have tried enabling netbios over tcp/ip but doesn't work, you may try to load netbeui (loading netbeui may slow your network).
11) Make sure the server service is running.
12) If you can see the share in Network Neighborhood but not access it, this issue may be resolved by verifying that both the share permissions and the NTFS partition permissions are correctly configured for individual user or group access.

For more tips or information, go to http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech

Robert, MS-MVP/MCSE and CNE
Windows & Network Support, Tips and FAQs on
http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech

After you have "Set up a home or small office network" using the wizard, on all machines to be in the network, giving them all the same network name.

Try entering in the IP address of the other computer into your address bar in the Explor window. For example: \\192.168.0.2\

For some reason, this is the only way I could see the other computers share folders from my machine.

I just had to thank you for solving my network problem. I have been trying to get certain machines to connect with others for the past 18 month's. I have followed every one of the convoluted instructions found at user sites. Not one worked until I used your simple straight method of connecting via my browser. Thank you for posting, you have saved me hours and hours of headaches!