I was having difficulty seeing the computers on my network. I am running Windows XP with a Linksys Cable Modem / DSL router. After doing some research I noticed that some users where switching to NetBEUI Protocol. When running TCP/IP, Client for M$ Networks, and File and Print Sharing, I was only able to get to the Internet but I could not acces each of the computers. So I went ahead and manualy installed NetBEUI from the XP CD and then everthing started working. Obviously I illiminated all the possible setup problems. I hard coded IP addresses to make sure no conflicts were taking place, confirmed workgroup name, etc. I could see the other computers but could not "Access" them. Has anyone seen this before and can they offer any insight? Thanks in advance for any feedback. Chuck

POSSIBLE CAUSE: "INVALID" Credentials for Logging IN TO WORKGROUP COMPUTER! POSSIBLE SOLUTION: SOLUTION A: Create a "SHARE" on any of the networked computers. Leave security permissions on default: "EVERYONE"(No need to adjust anything by "default" "shares" can be accessed by "everyone".) Now that you have a "share" try accessing it from the any other computer. SOLUTION B:(Less Likely) Create New User with "same" username and password as the other PC you are trying to access. Now try "accessing" that PC from the PC with the "duplicate" user account!

Thanks for the reply. I do indeed have sharing setup on both computers. That has been done since day one as I forgot to mention. The thing I don't understand is why would it not work when NetBEUI was NOT present and then as soon as I installed NetBEUI then everything works perfectly? I understand what you are saying regaurding item number two with common usage accounts, but is this reasonable? In a small office environment would you be required for everyone to have the same user account?

Must have misunderstood you... Was under impression that you still could not connect and that you needed to connect by all means! My knowledge of Microsoft Windows tells me that "FILES" among other things are shared using "NETBIOS" now "NETBEUI"... EXCERPT "...NetBEUI (NetBIOS Extended User Interface) is a new, extended version of NetBIOS, the program that lets computers communicate within a local area network. NetBEUI (pronounced net-BOO-ee) formalizes the frame format (or arrangement of information in a data transmission) that was not specified as part of NetBIOS. NetBEUI was developed by IBM for its LAN Manager product and has been adopted by Microsoft for its Windows NT, LAN Manager, and Windows for Workgroups products. Hewlett-Packard and DEC use it in comparable products. NetBEUI is the best performance choice for communication within a single LAN. Because, like NetBIOS, it does not support the routing of messages to other networks, its interface must be adapted to other protocols such as Internetwork Packet Exchange or TCP/IP. A recommended method is to install both NetBEUI and TCP/IP in each computer and set the server up to use NetBEUI for communication within the LAN and TCP/IP for communication beyond the LAN..."

You will probably have to disable your software firewall (such as Norton Internet Security) to get file sharing to work. I have networked Windows XP, ME, and 98 using just TCP/IP and file sharing works fine with Norton Internet Security disabled. If you're connected to the internet thru a router that should provide sufficient firewall protection. Also, by default the built-in Windows XP firewall is enabled and you might have to disable that.