lost XP file sharing

real goofy as this was all working once but not any more.

I can access FileShares on other systems, but they can not
access my shares on the laptop.


what I've done.
right click on folder to be shared
properties tab
under Network sharing
checked both Share on Net and Allow change
specified Shared Name as SharedDocs
apply
ok

once performed, the icon for the folder changes to that of a shared folder,
so it looks good.

all systems can ping both ways ( a->b and b->a)
all systems have ports 135-139 & 445 open
...as seen by port scanning from the requestor to the laptop
...so the firewall is NOT blocking access
all systems are member to WORKGROUP
no domain server is available

Other 'interesting observation'

1) My Computer->tools->view options does NOT contain
the "Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)" checkbox in the list of Advanced Settings.

2) The 'net share sharename=path' reports Already shared


Laptop is XP/home SP2, latest updates,
systems which previously had access were
... windows/98se and Mac OS X 10.3.9

there is no local DNS, so first access is usually like
\\192.168.0.x\SharedDocs

Current error is 'unable to access LTBEARD, path not available'
which looks to me like I need an entry in the hosts or lmhosts files to
translate the name(LTBEARD) back into an address - - but providing
that manually {\\192.168.0.x\SharedDocs} still fails.

ms level 5 sharing WAS what I had previously, but right now I would
settle for any form of sharing

You may try this website:
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxNetwork.htm

lots of doc exists re Simple Sharing but at the moment, I don't have
the settings required on Folder Options
(see attached).

I think some windows update removed the option, but that's grasping for
straws!

Also, even on the admin account, there is no Permissions dialog to
set R/W/U


I have also enabled NET SHARE thusly
C:\Program Files\Windows Resource Kits\Tools>net share

Share name Resource Remark
---------------------------------------------------------------------
print$ C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers
Printer Drivers
IPC$ Remote IPC
SharedDocs C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents

lt-2100 USB001 Spooled Canon 2100 laptop local
lt-I860 USB002 Spooled Canon i860 laptop-local
Printer PDFFILE: Spooled Win2PDF
Printer3 PDF995PORT Spooled PDF995
The command completed successfully.

the 'USUAL' error when attempting access is
....LTBEARD not found
or from Win98/se
.... password is incorrect

Using /SAFEMODE,
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents
is set for R/W/U access for everone
owned by Administrator

my laptop is XP Home/ SP2 fully updated

btw: I run from a LIMITED account
manage installs from an ADMIN Account

just crazy!