Network computer is not accessible

bru · 22 Jul 2018

I have a new computer. On it I am able to see all the other computers on my network but I can't access my desktop. I get an error "The desktop is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource..."

I can access the desktop from all the other computers on the network. Those computers were in the previous Homegroup while the new computer was not so I wonder if that is somehow the reason?

Its not a universal problem with the desktop not being accessible, rather only on the new computer, all other computers can access the desktop. And conversely the new computer can access all the other computers on the network, just not the desktop.

Is there a setting on the desktop preventing this new computer from accessing it? I don't think so, but am at a loss as to why this is happening.

bru · 23 Jul 2018

I resolved this. It had to do with password protected sharing being off on the main computer, and it would not turn off. Had to delete the Guest account password.

I believe I have network sharing working as best as it can for me. It is finicky, sometimes I don't see every computer. But when I do it seems I can share between them since I enabled specific folders to be shared.

Barman58 · 23 Jul 2018

Windows networking was not really designed for the way that we use networks at home these days.

It was a cut down version of the Client -Server system used in the larger enterprise and large organisation networks, but still for wired desktops, that would remain on most of the time, at least the network ports would be live, (for WOL - wake-on-lan access for out of hours backups Etc.

Today's home networks are a little Fly-By-Night with machines dropping off the network regularly, either a desktop turned off or a laptop or tablet going "walkies" and disconnecting.

As the system relies on an Election of the system that will act as the master browser, which keeps a record of the names and their addresses, every time the network changes, Modern usage keeps losing the master Browser, and you cannot even specify a set system to be the Master Browser so the information is always in flux.

If you have any PCs that you need to access regularly you can create a shortcut to it's IP address (best if these are fixed by MAC address control in the router), and then you can force the link with a double click

bru · 23 Jul 2018

idk about all that but it seems it shouldn't be this much trouble to share things. Homegroup worked fine but they took it away.

As it stands now I am able to share between computers but for whatever reason one computer has difficulty being "seen" on the network. I have to change its sharing options and turn off and then turn back on Network Discovery for it to be seen. As soon as another computer goes to sleep one once it wakes up it again won't see it and I have to repeat the process. I created a shortcut to it on the other computers instead.

FWIW all computers are configured the same in terms of sharing, etc. so why this one is having an issue is beyond me.