Can't connect to a shared computer on the network from other computer

[ztein]

Hi.
I got a network of over 20 computers and I shared a folder on one of them for the rest to access it.
First row of computers were able to go in the shared computer and get the file, but then somewhere on the 10th PC when I clicked on the shared computer in my network connections it said something about not being able to connect since the resource is restriced for me.
So... I copied the file to another computer and those PCs that couldn't connect the the first one managed successfully to connect to the other one.

All of the computers are in "WORKGROUP" and have appropriate IPs, and see other computers that share something on the network.
They all got Windows XP installed, I believe its Professional.

Also another thing is that my server is running Windows 2000 Server, and all the computers see it in "My Network Places" as "mr.server" but the problem is that when I try to access it it prompts me for username and password, so I tried the first set, didn't work, then the second last set and nothing it still asked me for user/pass, even though I have no idea what else could be the correct information since I never put any other user/pass info on the server.

Thanks

[SpywareDr]

... somewhere on the 10th PC when I clicked on the shared computer in my network connections it said something about not being able to connect ... They all got Windows XP installed, I believe its Professional.

Troubleshooting Server Message Block inbound connection limit in Windows peer-to-peer workgroup
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328459/

For Windows XP Professional-based computers, the maximum number of concurrent network connections that are allowed is 10. This limit includes all transfer and all resource share protocols. For Windows XP Home Edition-based computers, the maximum number of concurrent network connections that are allowed is 5. This limit is the number of sessions that can be hosted at the same time from other computers.

[ztein]

How can I "disconnect" or "remove the mapping" on one of the computers from that shared folder so another one could access it?

[jdc2000]

If you have an icon for the share in My Computer or My Network Places, right-click on it and select Disconnect.

If you used a 'net use' command line to create the share, you can use another 'net use' command to disconnect.

[ztein]

Ok, I don't have any mapped drives in My Computer.
This "Access denied message and Ask admin" appears when I go to my Network Places -> View Workgoups -> Workgroup -> Lists PC1-PC20 -> click PC1 since it has the file i needed shared, and the error happens

[SpywareDr]

If 10 "other" XP Pro computers are attached to the PC1 share you are trying to access, you'll get an error.

[ztein]

Yes, I know.

That's the problem, how can I bypass this error and actually access my shared file on PC1?
Is there a way to disconnect one of the computers from shared file?

I tried unplugging the Ethernet cable from one of the connected PCs, but it didn't work, the other computer still couldn't connect to the shared computer due to the same error, since theres a limit of 10 connection in Windows XP Pro to a single shared computer.

[jdc2000]

Method 1 (no cost option):

Shut down 1 or more of the other connected PC's

Method 2 (no too expensive option):

Obtain an NAS (Network Attached Storage) device. This would bypass the Windows connection limitations.

Method 3 (expensive option):

Set up a Windows Server with enough CALs (Client Access Licenses) for all computers that will connect simultaneously.

[ztein]

Ok, thx guys.
After I powered off one of the PCs, the other was able to connect.

[SpywareDr]

Tip: An alternative to shutting down a PC is to get to its CMD prompt and type:

net use * /delete

This disconnects all shares that it was setup to use.

You could also disconnect it from a single share. For example, to disconnect it from drive Y:

net use y: /delete