I have a desktop running XP Media Center SP3 and a laptop running XP. I have a Netgear WPN824 v3 router. The Desktop is hardwired (ethernet) the laptop is wireless. Both computers connect just fine TO the router and to the internet, but they will not share files or printers anymore. I used to be able to share files and printers with no issues with the same computers when I had an old D-link d-514 router. Once I got the NetGear router, I couldn't share. When I look at the workgroup computers, I see both computers, but when I try to access one from the other, I get this message: "\\Laptop is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. The network path was not found." The ONLY change that I can see is that I went from a d-link router to a Netgear router. Now I can't share printer and files. I contacted Netgear. They walked me through everything I already tried and then told me to call Microsoft. What's going on? 3 people need an answerI do too

I have a desktop running XP Media Center SP3 and a laptop running XP. I have a Netgear WPN824 v3 router. The Desktop is hardwired (ethernet) the laptop is wireless. Both computers connect just fine TO the router and to the internet, but they will not share files or printers anymore. I used to be able to share files and printers with no issues with the same computers when I had an old D-link d-514 router. Once I got the NetGear router, I couldn't share. When I look at the workgroup computers, I see both computers, but when I try to access one from the other, I get this message: "\\Laptop is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. The network path was not found." The ONLY change that I can see is that I went from a d-link router to a Netgear router. Now I can't share printer and files. I contacted Netgear. They walked me through everything I already tried and then told me to call Microsoft. What's going on? I got the exact same problem. Also changed from an d-link (924+) to netgear (WNR1000). Interesting thing is, that the mac in my local LAN is sometimes able to connect to the PC network drives. Should be that the router is blocking the necessary ports (135-139, 445) but i can't find a way to open them without opening them to the internet side. And also if i try to allow a port forwarding etc it doesnt work - looks like the forwarding is only done towards WAN. on the netgear support website there's nothing about it... pls help!

same problem with NETGEAR Wnr3500 !!

I found a little bit of a work-around. It may seem convoluted, but it is the ONLY thing that I found that worked. Step 1: Unplug the NetGear Router. Step 2: unplug the rest of the cables from the Netgear router. Step 3: Put the NetGear Router back into its box. Step 4: Go to the place that you bought it. Step 5: Exchange it for a new D-link, Linksys....Pretty much anything besides a Netgear or a Belkin. Step 6: Bring the new router home, go through the steps to connect it and you will have network routing AND file sharing within 10 minutes. Step 7: MOST IMPORTANT STEP!! Tell EVERYONE that has ears how bad Netgear's customer service is ("call Microsoft!"), and that their products have no place being connected to anyone's computer. Like I said, it's a bit of a work-around, but it worked for me.