Network neophyte needs help

Two computers connected via Ethernet adapters and a CAT6 crossover
cable have no problem pinging each other and have transferred many
shared folders. Shares are on an Inspiron 7500 XP Pro SP1, and the
target for folder copies is an 8400 XP Pro SP2 from which I'm
controlling the copy operations. Both computers have simple file
sharing disabled. Both are logged in with account-type adminstrator.
Not using welcome screen on the 7500; the password is not blank. Using
welcome screen on the 8400. Both computers use NTFS.

Having no network experience prior to yesterday, I'm stuck as I learn
how to view the root folder on the 7500 from the 8400. Here's what's
happening...

1) On the 8400 in WE (windows explorer) My Computer, under Network
Drives, there is a shared folder listed that I have copied. (The
computers have been restarted since then.) It's name "_a on
'y4fg0'(X" is followed by "Disconnected Network Drive." When I try
to delete the item, a pop-up message appears: "The network connection
could not be found." No problem deleting a bunch of other
shared-folder references followed by the statement "Disconnected
Network Drive."

I'm trying to get rid of it because an attempt to connect using a
different user name (the 7500 user name) yields a message: "The
network folder specified is currently mapped using a different user
name and password. To connect using a different user name and
password, first disconnect any existing mappings to this network
share." That pop-up is followed by one with a similar message. How do
I get rid of the Network Drives item that I believe is preventing the
use of a different user name?

2) In My Network Places Entire Network Microsoft Windows Network
workgroup, when I double click the 7500 name I get a message: "\\y4fg0
is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network
resource. Contact ... . Access is denied." The drive is set to share
on the 7500. How does an administrator account get permission? Am I
correct in believing double-clicking the 7500 name should display the
root folder on the shared C$ drive?

3) I've just mapped a drive to one of the shares. After viewing the
7500 folders in WE, I closed WE and attempted to delete the just-added
item in My Computer under Network Drives. I got the same message as in
1) "The network connection could not be found." I don't understand why
some items can be deleted and others not when they're all labeled
"Disconnected Network Drive."

I've searched F1 help and a one-ton book (Windows XP Inside Out Second
Edition) and cannot find a solution. If anyone can offer this network
neophyte some guidance, I'd be most grateful.

--David

David Ellis wrote:
Two computers connected via Ethernet adapters and a CAT6 crossover
cable have no problem pinging each other and have transferred many
shared folders. Shares are on an Inspiron 7500 XP Pro SP1, and the
target for folder copies is an 8400 XP Pro SP2 from which I'm
controlling the copy operations. Both computers have simple file
sharing disabled. Both are logged in with account-type adminstrator.
Not using welcome screen on the 7500; the password is not blank. Using
welcome screen on the 8400. Both computers use NTFS.

Having no network experience prior to yesterday, I'm stuck as I learn
how to view the root folder on the 7500 from the 8400. Here's what's
happening...

1) On the 8400 in WE (windows explorer) My Computer, under Network
Drives, there is a shared folder listed that I have copied. (The
computers have been restarted since then.) It's name "_a on
'y4fg0'(X" is followed by "Disconnected Network Drive." When I try
to delete the item, a pop-up message appears: "The network connection
could not be found." No problem deleting a bunch of other
shared-folder references followed by the statement "Disconnected
Network Drive."

I'm trying to get rid of it because an attempt to connect using a
different user name (the 7500 user name) yields a message: "The
network folder specified is currently mapped using a different user
name and password. To connect using a different user name and
password, first disconnect any existing mappings to this network
share." That pop-up is followed by one with a similar message. How do
I get rid of the Network Drives item that I believe is preventing the
use of a different user name?

In a command prompt, you could type

net use * /del enter


2) In My Network Places Entire Network Microsoft Windows Network
workgroup, when I double click the 7500 name I get a message: "\\y4fg0
is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network
resource. Contact ... . Access is denied." The drive is set to share
on the 7500. How does an administrator account get permission? Am I
correct in believing double-clicking the 7500 name should display the
root folder on the shared C$ drive?

No, because the $ indicates a hidden share. Only non-hidden shares will show
up in the list.

3) I've just mapped a drive to one of the shares. After viewing the
7500 folders in WE, I closed WE and attempted to delete the just-added
item in My Computer under Network Drives. I got the same message as in
1) "The network connection could not be found." I don't understand why
some items can be deleted and others not when they're all labeled
"Disconnected Network Drive."

I'd delete them all and start over - in fact, I'd use a batch file to map
the drives and manually run it after bootup -

net use x: \\computer\share1 /persistent:no
net use y: \\computer\share2 /persistent:no

etc.

See if the problem recurs. And make sure you are using identical usernames &
passwords to log into each computer, or you will need to pass the
appropriate remote credentials in your net use command.




I've searched F1 help and a one-ton book (Windows XP Inside Out Second
Edition) and cannot find a solution. If anyone can offer this network
neophyte some guidance, I'd be most grateful.

--David