Win 7 laptop requests username/password to access xp desktop

[s8b]

I have a Win 7 laptop and xp desktop on my network. When I try to access the xp desktop from the win 7 laptop, I sometimes get a dialog box requesting username/password. Other times I get a message box that I do not have permission to access the desktop. Other times still, everything works fine.

The xp can access the laptop no problem. The laptop can always see the desktop in the network, the problem is accessing it to share files or use a printer attached to the desktop.

I have no passwords on either computer. I have disabled passwords in the advanced network settings for home & work. Registry has LmCompatibilityLevel set to 3 on the laptop.

This is a common problem with win 7 networking with xp (but it usually is a consistent problem). I have not found a solution that has worked for me, despite trying many suggestions offered in this forum. Since the problem seems to occur randomly, it is very difficult to troubleshoot.

I would appreciate any ideas to rectify this.

 

[chev65]

If you don't want problems with sharing between these two OP systems follow the guide in the link below. If you set up a Homegroup on the Windows 7 machine you will first want to leave the Homegroup before making these adjustments.

In general setting up a standard workgroup then setting the permissions and running the XP network set up wizard and turning off simple file sharing on the XP machine should work for this but if problems arise then setting up as per the link below will work.

How to make Windows 7 work with older Windows versions for networking and file sharing.


http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/...mputers-running-different-versions-of-Windows

 

[s8b]

Thanks. Did all this long ago. When I wake up my laptop, I can access the desktop. After the first or second access, I start getting the password request. I put the laptop to sleep, wake it up, and can again access the desktop once or twice before the password problem appears.

Something is changing after the second access. No idea what's happening.

 

[chev65]

From what I have read making the following change to the security settings may help with this password problem. Perform this adjustment on the Windows 7 machine.

1. Go to Control Panel | Performance and Maintenance | Administrative Tools |Local Security Policy.
2. Expand Local Policies | Security Options.
3. Double-click Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console login only, which is enabled by default. Disable this option and click OK.

 

[s8b]

Thanks. I don't have those categories in Control Panel. I have "Administrative Tools" and "Performance Information and Tools". Neither one drills down to a "Local Security Policy". I'm using Win 7 Home Premium SP 1. You must be referring to some other OS. I cannot find any access to "Local Security Policy".

 

[chev65]

Thanks. I don't have those categories in Control Panel. I have "Administrative Tools" and "Performance Information and Tools". Neither one drills down to a "Local Security Policy". I'm using Win 7 Home Premium SP 1. You must be referring to some other OS. I cannot find any access to "Local Security Policy".

With Home Premium the options are limited too the registry adjustment, Try using LM compatibility mode 1 or 2 instead of the more restrictive level 3.

 

[s8b]

Thanks. I had changed it to 1 as part of my troubleshooting. No effect. Will try 2.

 

[s8b]

LmCompatibilityLevel value has no effect on this problem.

 

[chev65]

After a bit more searching around here is what I get.


You need to disable Simple File Sharing and take ownership of
the files. Take a look at these articles for more info:

"Access is Denied" Error Message When You Try to Open a Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;308421

Note: If you are running Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, you
must start the computer in safe mode, and then log on with an
account that has Administrative rights to have access to the
Security tab. To start in Safe Mode, reboot your computer and
start tapping the F8 key as soon as you see anything displayed
on the screen. Keep hitting F8 until the Advanced Startup
Options menu appears. Use the up and down arrow keys on your
keyboard to select Safe Mode. Hit Enter.

 

[s8b]

Thanks for your attention chev65. The sharing works normally sometimes. The problem is intermittent. To me this indicates that some setting is being changed dynamically. The problem is of recent origin. I did change routers recently, but cannot correlate the problem to that. I guess it could be worse.

 

[chev65]

Thanks for your attention chev65. The sharing works normally sometimes. The problem is intermittent. To me this indicates that some setting is being changed dynamically. The problem is of recent origin. I did change routers recently, but cannot correlate the problem to that. I guess it could be worse.

I would definitely go through the steps to take ownership of the files on the XP machine.

Just because the problem seems to be intermittent doesn't mean taking ownership won't work. Nothing will change unless you make changes.