Networking & wireless forum: WORKGROUP is not accessible. You might not have permission

You need to make sure that, even in Windows, the local network is excepted in firewall settings. Third party programs such as from Symantec also are known to cause local network issues. Personally, I prefer to not use "simple file sharing". You just need to make sure that all PCs have user accounts with the same name and password. Set up the shares to give the appropriate control to users who need access.

even with multiple users. The MS Powertoy "TweakUI" can do that easily. It will default to the designated user each time and still allow you to log off and back on as another. XP likes folks who use passwords. As well with XP, there are background processes taking place between computers on a peer to peer network that require certain services to be enabled. I can't list these for you but most are enabled by default. You might try to work with just two and leave the 3rd one off or disconnected while you troubleshoot. This might simplify things. Define a user on each with the same username/password and then log on to both with that name. See if you still get the error. Make absolutely certain that all uses....including the administrator account have a password as well. Boot both computers and give them a few minutes to do their master browser election thing. Try to ping each one from the other. If no ping, no network. Once you can ping the IP addresses from both directions, see if you can access the shares. Good luck.