[Btfh]

when i try to access one windows xp machine from another xp machine (both pro version), i get the following error.

http://btfh.net/error.jpg

the network we are on is a simple one, no domain controller, workgroup set to workgroup. We've tried turning guest accounts on, turning them off, etc.......any suggestions?

[Xiven]

It is recommended that you do not use the guest account. Instead you should create user accounts on both machines with the same user/pass as the other machine's logged in user and grant them access to the shared folders.

If you're still going to use the guest account then check this:

[list=1]
[*]Go to Start -> Run
[*]Enter "secpol.msc"
[*]Go to Local Policies -> User Rights Assignment
[*]Double-click on "Deny access to this computer from the network"
[*]Remove the guest account if it's in there.
[/list=1]

[Davros]

In WinXP clients are forced to use the Guest account to logon when you are in a workgroup.
If you disable the Guest account as Xiven said (I also recommend you do this) you need to turn off the forceguest feature like this:

1. Go to Start --> Run
2. Enter secpol.msc
3. Go to Local Policies -> Security Options
4. Double-click on "Network Access: Sharing and security model for local accounts"
5. Change the setting to "Classic"

[Btfh]

thank you for the hint regarding secpol.msc. As it turns out, the problem was a new policy inside there that was introduced by another program i believe. The network now performs as desired