thanks Steve I came across that article before you posted back.

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" wrote:

> In article <1A0EA165-6CC2-404D-90E2-90854F86417C@microsoft.com>,
> "nodoz" <nodoz@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >I want to be clear about this password to access workgroup computers and
> >folders/files.
> >
> >My understanding is this:
> >
> >I create a user for the workgroup computers that exists on the computer
> >trying to acess these files......this profile name has the SAME password or
> >am i not able to duplicate passwords?
> >
> >For example, if userone wants to access computers 2 and 3 in the workgroup,
> >does username need the same name (userone) on all other machines and have the
> >same password or same name but different password?
> >
> >I'm not 100% clear on this and want to get the right advice. Thanks.
>
> If a computer runs Windows XP Home Edition, it automatically grants
> networked access to all users on all computers. There's no need to do
> anything with user names and passwords to access shares on an XP Home
> computer.
>
> If a computer runs Windows XP Professional, the default behavior is
> the same as for XP Home: it automatically grants networked access to
> all users on all computers.
>
> In Windows XP Professional, you can disable simple file sharing and
> control access based on user names and passwords. That requires
> matching user names and passwords on the computer that owns the shares
> and on the computers that access the shares. Ron Lowe and I have
> written a web page with full details:
>
> Windows XP Professional File Sharing
> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ring/index.htm
> --
> Best Wishes,
> Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
>
> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
>
> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>