Service "server" paused

[tomtomlinson]

I am trying to network my home computers, inspired by a desire to use desktop printer for my T43. It is running Win XP Pro and is current on updates. I am able to print from this machine as well as access files on the desktop. The desktop cannot talk to the laptop because the laptop service "server" is paused. When I resume the service (named "lanmanserver") all is well. It is set to come up automatically but something is then pausing it.

What is doing this? I should not have to go into Admin functions to get this going, and I don't want to tell my residential clients they have to do so either. Thanks for any suggestions.

(I have Norton Internet Security loaded on the machine, and had to tell it to trust local network before it would allow any network traffic to get thru.)

[zdriver]

In the control panel, go to administrative tools - services, and check that the Startup Type for Server is set to.... Automatic.
It was not clear above that you had done that.
If it is, I would look at Norton as the cause of the problem.

[tomtomlinson]

Thank you zdriver.

Yes it is set to automatic start. I read today about some cases where the Windows firewall can cause issues with some network services not running. I will poke around in Norton to see if it is the cause. I have not seen anything there that might be related, but will redouble my efforts.

I am not aware of any useful Norton-specific discussion boards out there; could not find anything at Symantec site (I'm sure there are god and bad reasons for that). Do you know of any useful site that offer good advice on Norton-caused problems?