Joho the Blog
An Entry from the Archives

I seem to go through periods when attempts to access a computer on my home network gives this error msg from XP:

"... 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."

Google tells me I am not alone. After trying many many different fixes, this time changing node types worked. No, I don't know what a node type is, but neither do I much care. The solution may work for you if you meet the following condition:

Go to one of the computers that's not accessible. In a command box type "ipconfig /all". (If the results scroll off the screen, instead type "ipconfig /all | more" and use the space bar to scroll.) Look for "NodeType." If it's not "Hybrid," you may have found your trouble. (I'm not spelling this out step by step because if you don't know to do this stuff, you shouldn't attempt the fix.)

Here's a discussion thread that explains how you can change the node type by editing the registry. Note that editing the registry is a scary, scary thing that can kill your PC dead, so don't do it unless you know what you're doing.

Also please note that there are lots of reasons that you may be getting that message. Google it and you'll find many other less drastic solutions, including remembering to share some folders, turning on the file and print sharing client, and making sure the squirrel has left your computer for the summer (it's a long story). Only edit your registry if all else fails. (Final disclaimer: This seems to have worked for me, but in an hour I may find out that I've hosed my entire system.)