Member Avatar for comrade-conrad

I reformat my secondary computer as it was slow and all of my stuff had been moved. Previous to this it was able to access the shared printers and files on my new computer. We have a linksys router and the reformatted computer is able to serve the internet, etc, but can not share the network resources. I didn't copy down the network settings before I reformatted which in hindsight would have saved me a lot of hassle. I get this error message when i attempt to connect to the work group.


Error Message Reads:
Workgroup name is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if yo have access permissions.

The list of servers for this workgroup is currently not availble.

I haven't changed the shared folders properties on the other computer, to which the printers are attachted, will be m oving them to there own printer server soon.

I also copied the networking settings from the other computer to this one and it gave me an error message about the static IP adress being used by another computer. Do I need to enter in this information on this system or just obtain IP address automatically?

Any help is appericated. If you ask if I can do some please explain how to do it, such as ping the computers, etc.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by jbennet

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Following the thread from and the tips from and , here is a compact, practical checklist to move from "can reach the other PC" to "can see and use its shares/printers." Focus on three areas: Windows networking components/services, SMB/NetBIOS visibility, and IP/firewall conflicts.

Verify adapter bindings and services
Check that the adapter has both "Client for Microsoft Networks" and "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" enabled (Network Connections -> adapter -> Properties). Open Services (services.msc) and make sure these display-name services are Started and set to Automatic: Server, Workstation, Computer Browser, TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper.

Use these commands to gather facts (run in a command prompt)

ipconfig /all
nbtstat -n
nbtstat -a <other-PC-IP>
net view \\OtherPCName
netstat -an | find "139"

net view shows shares; nbtstat reveals NetBIOS names and sessions. Save outputs for comparison if troubleshooting continues.

Firewall and SMB ports
SMB/Browse requires UDP 137-138 and TCP 139, 445. Make sure the OS firewall or any third‑party firewall has an exception for File and Printer Sharing or these ports open. For a quick test, temporarily disable the firewall on both ends (briefly) to confirm if blocking is the cause—then re-enable and add rules rather than leaving it off.

IP addressing and duplicates
If you copied network settings and produced an IP conflict, choose DHCP or assign a unique static address inside the router subnet, with the router as gateway/DNS. Avoid addresses inside the router’s DHCP pool unless you create a DHCP reservation.

Extra checks: confirm share permissions vs NTFS permissions for the shared folders/printers, and restart both machines after changes. If problems persist, collect the ipconfig /all and nbtstat -n outputs and check for mismatched subnets, duplicate MAC/IP, or blocked broadcast traffic.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for mostafadotnet

Take a look at what workgroup's name you have set in the my computer properties panel.

Start your diagnosis using clues in the error thrown by windows.

Good luck.

Member Avatar for comrade-conrad

Done that, talking to someone from lynksys, and it appears as though it has something to do with the firewalls installed on both computers. Able to ping both computers now.

Member Avatar for jbennet

If you run the XP Networking Wizard it will fix the firewall settings for you.

Go into my network places or network connections and click "Set up a small home/office network" to do this. Tell it your workgroup name when it asks for it

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