ICS service will not start - "Access Denied"

[man-man]

My overall problem right now is that 2 computers on the same network, in the same workgroup, don't see each other and can't access shared folders

In poking about trying to figure out why this is I tried to check Windows Firewall settings (in case for some ungodly reason it had turned itself on again). But couldn't because the Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing service wasn't running.

So I went and tried to start said service, but can't - throws up an error message "Could not start the Windows Firewall/Internect Connection Sharing (ICS) service on Local Computer. Error 5: Access is denied"

This is from an administrator account, other services start and stop OK and the network connection seems otherwise fine (I'm posting this from the affected computer)

[ecross]

Try rebuilding the Winsock LSP chain to see if this resolve the problem. To do this, follow these steps:

a. Log on to the Microsoft Windows XP workstation as an administrator.
b. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
c. At the command prompt, type "netsh winsock reset" (without quotes), and then press ENTER:

When the program is finished, you will need to restart the machine in order to complete the reset.

[man-man]

Ok, the service is now started and apparently working, thanks :D

Unfortunately they still aren't playing nicely together - the Desktop can see the Laptop in Network Places, but the Laptop can't see the Desktop, and neither one can access a shared folder on the other.

I hate networks when they aren't working

[ecross]

If the Windows Firewall enabled or another firewall program is installed make sure it is properly configured for file and printer sharing.

Try accessing the computer by clicking Start -> Run and typing \\192.168.0.2 (or the computer's ip address).

It might also help looking at the ipconfig/all information from both computers to further diagnose the issue.

[man-man]

Windows Firewall is disabled on both, and there's no internal software firewall (the network as a whole is behind a NAT/firewall built into the router)

Tried connecting by putting the IP into the Run box, but both failed - "Windows cannot find '<IP address>'. Make sure you typed the name correctly ... and etc."

Moving onto ipconfig /all..

On the Desktop:

Windows IP Configuration

Host name : DESKTOP
Primary DNS suffix:
Node type: Unknown
IP Routing enabled: No
WINS Proxy enabled: No
DNS Suffix Search List: domain_not_set.invalid

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:

Connection-specific DNS suffix: domain_not_set.invalid
Description: NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller
Physical Address: 00-50-8D-93-31-CB
Dhcp enabled: Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled: Yes
IP Address: 192.168.1.3
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
DNS servers: 62.24.199.13
62.24.199.23
62.24.252.134
62.24.252.135
192.168.1.1
Lease Obtained: 28 November 2007 15:19:22
Lease Expires: 29 November 2007 15:19:22

And from the Laptop:

Windows IP Configuration

Host name : DESKTOP
Primary DNS suffix:
Node type: Unknown
IP Routing enabled: No
WINS Proxy enabled: No
DNS Suffix Search List: domain_not_set.invalid

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection

Connection-specific DNS suffix: domain_not_set.invalid
Description: Dell Wireless 1370 WLAN Mini-PCI Card
Physical Address: 00-14-A5-3C-2E-29
Dhcp enabled: Yes
Autoconfiguration enabled: Yes
IP Address: 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
DNS servers: 62.24.199.13
62.24.199.23
62.24.252.134
62.24.252.135
192.168.1.1
Lease Obtained: 28 November 2007 19:00:40
Lease Expires: 29 November 2007 19:00:40

[man-man]

So.. anything?

[ecross]

I had a look closely the only thing I beleive is a problem is both computers have a hostname called DESKTOP. When networking, each computer name must be unique. I'd check your computers names if they are the same then change the name of one of them.

To specify your computer and workgroup names in XP.

1. Open System in Control Panel.
2. On the Computer Name tab, click Change.
3. In Computer name, type your computer name.

You'll need to restart the computer.

Then try to access the other computer on the network.