Member Avatar for Illine Smith

I live in an RV so have no dedicated hardline and use wi-fi hot spots. I have a laptop (which I internet from) and a desktop. I have tried setting up two different networks and have the same problem on both of them. One using only Ad Hoc and the other using a router. I have setup my network using Network Wizard. While on the laptop and in My Network Places, nothing shows up to log on to. When I try to view workgroup computers I'm given an error message that says I may not have permission to access this network. Call the administrator, etc.

Also, from my desktop, I can only see the desktop while in My Network Places. The laptop has showed up a few times but it's not consistant.

Any one have any solutions? I'm all out!

  • 4 Contributors
  • 3 Replies
  • 212 Views
  • 3 Years Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by Frank Wallis

Dani AI

Generated

Several posters here report the same symptom: the workgroup appears but clicking it yields “access denied,” or machines are only intermittently visible (, , ). The cause is almost always one (or more) of these: IP/subnet mismatch, client isolation imposed by the Wi‑Fi/hotspot or router, SMB/NetBIOS being blocked by a firewall, missing Windows networking components/services, or credential/share-permission mismatches. The list below is a compact, practical checklist to diagnose and fix the common causes.

Recommended quick checks (in order):

  1. Confirm basic IP connectivity — both machines must be on the same subnet (same 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x block and 255.255.255.0 mask for typical home setups).
  2. From a Command Prompt try these to confirm name/IP and NetBIOS visibility:
    ipconfig /all
ping <other-machine-IP>
net view \\<other-machine-IP>
nbtstat -A <other-machine-IP>
  3. If ping fails, fix IP settings (DHCP/router) before anything else. If ping works but net view fails, the issue is SMB/NetBIOS or firewall-related.

Sharing and firewall notes:

  • Ensure “Client for Microsoft Networks” and “File and Printer Sharing” are bound to the network adapter.
  • Temporarily disable Windows Firewall and any third‑party firewall to test sharing. If that fixes it, allow File and Printer Sharing or open ports TCP 139/445 and UDP 137/138. Re-enable protection after testing.
  • Create a simple test share and grant it to Everyone (or create identical local user accounts/passwords on both machines) so credential mismatches don’t block access.

Services and router settings:

  • Check that Server, Workstation, TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper and Computer Browser services are running (services.msc). Restart them after changes.
  • For RV/hotspot scenarios: many public hotspots and some routers use “client/AP isolation” which prevents peer‑to‑peer browsing — a private router or direct Ethernet test (or ad‑hoc with both machines on the same SSID and channel) will reveal this.

A short, methodical run through the checks above usually finds the culprit: start with IP/ping, then firewall/shares, then services/router isolation. Reboot after changes and test again.

Recommended Answers

All 3 Replies

Member Avatar for gunste

Seems that this is long unanswered question, which brought me here.
New PC with Win XP-Home. Net working for local gateway all set up and workgroup name st like that for other PCs. This one cannot see the other PCs, because when I click on the Workgroup name, it results in an error message: Access denied to workgroup. Youmay not have permission.

Cannot find anything in HELP, or other Microsoft KB items.
No security tab to click on and change permission?

How do you get Permission???
System is three PCs connected to a Router which is connected to a cable modem.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Member Avatar for Dancer

I am having similar problems . I have had a home network with two wired PC to a combined router/ADSL modem with two wireless laptops working perfectly for four years. Then it just disappeared one evening about a fortnight ago. Try as I might, I cannot get the PCs to see each other. I have changed the router and it has made no difference at all, run the Network Wizard umpteen times. I even changed the Workgroup names on each of the PCs to another one and ran the Network Wizard on each machine again, no difference.
The PCs have unique 'Computer Names', but have the same 'Computer Description and WorkGroup name'. I also get the message that I do not have permission and to contact the administrator.
This has really foxed Me, as it had been working so well before. I am at a loss.
Many Thanks Folks

Member Avatar for Frank Wallis

Seems that this is long unanswered question, which brought me here.
New PC with Win XP-Home. Net working for local gateway all set up and workgroup name st like that for other PCs. This one cannot see the other PCs, because when I click on the Workgroup name, it results in an error message: Access denied to workgroup. Youmay not have permission.

Cannot find anything in HELP, or other Microsoft KB items.
No security tab to click on and change permission?

How do you get Permission???
System is three PCs connected to a Router which is connected to a cable modem.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Which OS are you using?
If your computers are connected to a router than how have you configured the default gateway settings in your computers? The LAN or local interface of the router with which
your computers are connected must have the IP address of that LAN interface configured
in the computers default gateway.

If your using internet service via cable modem then make sure that the computers are geting valid IP addressess? Because without valid IP addresses your computers cannot be recognized in the network.

Also make sure that the browsing service is active in your services?

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.