Windows XP Workgroup Connectivity

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.nl.windowsxp.networking,microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support,microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web (More info?)

I have a simple home network with 2 computers running windows xp using a
10/100 ethernet hub. I have no connectivity problems of any kind. Computers
see each other and are accessible. The only thing that bothers me is that
when opening the other computer's resource (not share) thru the network for
the first time a password prompt shows up before you can access the shares.
It's enough to enter the other computer's user credentials to get access but
gets annoying after a while. Is this a security option that can be disabled
because I remember from the old days when having the same situation with
windows 98 systems workgroup shares were accessible without any prompts. Was
more user friendly..