Can't share folders between two different machines

[Don J]

I'm running Win'XP Home on two machines. I have the firewalls disabled on
both machines.

I'm successfully pinging each PC, one from the other.

Right clicking a folder on either system and selecting "Sharing and
Security" from the displayed menu, yields a dialog box that contains the
statement:

"As a security measure, Windows has disabled
remote access to this computer. However, you
can enable remote access and safely share files
by running the 'Network Setup Wizard'".

I've run the 'Network Setup Wizard' on both systems. It fails to establish
a network on either system, as evidenced by the fact that if I again select
"Sharing and Security" it yields the same screen as described above, with no
changes.

This problem is discussed in:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913621

However the article apparently applies to "Win'XP Pro" only. I am told
that it has been suggested by a post in another group (I havn't personally
seen the post) that the problem can be corrected in Win'XP Home by editing
the registry key/value:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\LSA
Value: RestrictAnonymous
Value Type: REG_DWORD
So that it equals: 0.

A general discussion on setting the quantity "RestrictAnonymous" can be
found in: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/246261/.

The problem is that the value of "RestrictAnonymous" is already equal to
zero. This is the case on both machines.

What do I do? How do I create a network? I am trying to set it up so that
I can share folders on one machine with another.

Don J

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I'm running Win'XP Home on two machines. I have the firewalls disabled on
both machines.

I'm successfully pinging each PC, one from the other.

Right clicking a folder on either system and selecting "Sharing and
Security" from the displayed menu, yields a dialog box that contains the
statement:

"As a security measure, Windows has disabled
remote access to this computer. However, you
can enable remote access and safely share files
by running the 'Network Setup Wizard'".

I've run the 'Network Setup Wizard' on both systems. It fails to establish
a network on either system, as evidenced by the fact that if I again select
"Sharing and Security" it yields the same screen as described above, with no
changes.

This problem is discussed in:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913621

However the article apparently applies to "Win'XP Pro" only. I am told
that it has been suggested by a post in another group (I havn't personally
seen the post) that the problem can be corrected in Win'XP Home by editing
the registry key/value:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\LSA
Value: RestrictAnonymous
Value Type: REG_DWORD
So that it equals: 0.

A general discussion on setting the quantity "RestrictAnonymous" can be
found in: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/246261/.

The problem is that the value of "RestrictAnonymous" is already equal to
zero. This is the case on both machines.

What do I do? How do I create a network? I am trying to set it up so that
I can share folders on one machine with another.

Don J

The RestrictAnonymous setting has no effect on whether a computer can
share files with other computers on a network.

What questions did the Network Setup Wizard ask? What were your
answers to those questions? Some answers tell the Wizard to disable
file sharing.

In the windows that has the "As a security measure, Windows has
disabled emote access to this computer. . ." box, is there a link that
says "If you understand the security risks but want to share files
without running the wizard, click here."? If so, click that link.

Have you installed any non-Microsoft networking programs, such as VPN
clients?
--
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

 

[Don J]

The "network setup wizard" had five screens:

Screen 1 (three options - select one):
1) This computer connects directly to the internet
2) This computer connects to the internet through a gateway
3) Other
I selected "Other" (3) then went to Screen 2
Screen 2 (Three options - select one):
1) This computer connects to the internet through a hub
2) This computer connects directly to the internet
3) This computer belongs to a network that does not have
an iternet connection
I selected (1) then went to Screen 3
Screen 3
Enter a descriptive name for the network
Which I didn't
Screen 4
1) Turn ON or turn OFF file and printer sharing
I turned it OFF
Screen 5
1) Leaving this screen applies the results of the "Network
Setup Wizard". I applied it and the calculation took
abou 2 minutes.

Yes there was a link that said "If you understand the secuity risks but want
to ......"
I clicked the link. The result was execution of an identical
copy of the "network setup wizard"
I gave the same answers as before

No, I have not installed any non-microsoft networking programs.

Waiting for your answer!

Don J

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

The "network setup wizard" had five screens:

Screen 1 (three options - select one):
1) This computer connects directly to the internet
2) This computer connects to the internet through a gateway
3) Other
I selected "Other" (3) then went to Screen 2
Screen 2 (Three options - select one):
1) This computer connects to the internet through a hub
2) This computer connects directly to the internet
3) This computer belongs to a network that does not have
an iternet connection
I selected (1) then went to Screen 3

On Screen 2, selecting Option 1 tells the Wizard to disable file and
printer sharing. That option is for use in an insecure network setup
where your computer connects directly to the Internet though a hub and
receives a public IP address.

Screen 3
Enter a descriptive name for the network
Which I didn't
Screen 4
1) Turn ON or turn OFF file and printer sharing
I turned it OFF

You told the Wizard to turn OFF file and printer sharing? I thought
that you want to share files.

Screen 5
1) Leaving this screen applies the results of the "Network
Setup Wizard". I applied it and the calculation took
abou 2 minutes.

Yes there was a link that said "If you understand the secuity risks but want
to ......"
I clicked the link. The result was execution of an identical
copy of the "network setup wizard"
I gave the same answers as before

No, I have not installed any non-microsoft networking programs.

Waiting for your answer!

Don J

So, two of your answers tell the Wizard to turn OFF file and printer
sharing.

How do your computers connect to the Internet? Please describe the
setup, including the type of Internet connection (dial-up, cable
modem, DSL, etc) and the manufacturer and model number of any
networking equipment (hub, switch, router, etc).
--
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

 

[Don J]

Yes, I want to share files (but not necessarily printers). I have therefore
re-executed the network setup wizard and so designated.

Now I can look (and I am doing that at tis very instant) at both machines
through the "network setup wizard", on both machines. This is a major first
in about 2 weeks of effort! I must thank you!

I now have a remaining problem. The machines are connected through a
router. Both machines have their firewalls turned off, which is
undesirable. Both machines have two connectors on the back for ethernet
cables, which raises the possibility of setting up two networks, only one of
which connects to the internet. The second network would be a direct
connection between the two machines. The connection through the internet
would be protected with a firewall. The direct connection would have no
firewall protection.

There is a problem. The ethernet connection that is connected directly to
the motherboard on one of the two machines doesn't seem to be working
properly. Only the ethernet connection that plugs into a PCI card works.
There is another problem which may or may not be related. On the machine
that works properly, opening the "network connections" folder show three
icons:
1) Local Area Connection
2) 1394 Connectrion
3) Local Area Connection 2
"Local Area Connection" seems to control the ethernet connection that plugs
into the motherboard. "Local Area Connection 2" seems to control the
ethernet connection for the plug into the PCI card. On the machine that is
not working properly opening the "network connections" folder shows only one
icon:
1) Local Area Connection
This is enabled and seems to control the only operating ethernet connector
on the back of the machine. Presumably the missing icon would contol input
from the second connector on the back of the machine. It is missing and in
effect "disabled".

I am interested in having two network connections into the computer because
of the opportunity it offers for connecting the two machines with a
crossover cable. This would allow the internet connection to be protected
with a firewall.

Don J

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Yes, I want to share files (but not necessarily printers). I have therefore
re-executed the network setup wizard and so designated.

Now I can look (and I am doing that at tis very instant) at both machines
through the "network setup wizard", on both machines. This is a major first
in about 2 weeks of effort! I must thank you!

I now have a remaining problem. The machines are connected through a
router. Both machines have their firewalls turned off, which is
undesirable. Both machines have two connectors on the back for ethernet
cables, which raises the possibility of setting up two networks, only one of
which connects to the internet. The second network would be a direct
connection between the two machines. The connection through the internet
would be protected with a firewall. The direct connection would have no
firewall protection.

There is a problem. The ethernet connection that is connected directly to
the motherboard on one of the two machines doesn't seem to be working
properly. Only the ethernet connection that plugs into a PCI card works.
There is another problem which may or may not be related. On the machine
that works properly, opening the "network connections" folder show three
icons:
1) Local Area Connection
2) 1394 Connectrion
3) Local Area Connection 2
"Local Area Connection" seems to control the ethernet connection that plugs
into the motherboard. "Local Area Connection 2" seems to control the
ethernet connection for the plug into the PCI card. On the machine that is
not working properly opening the "network connections" folder shows only one
icon:
1) Local Area Connection
This is enabled and seems to control the only operating ethernet connector
on the back of the machine. Presumably the missing icon would contol input
from the second connector on the back of the machine. It is missing and in
effect "disabled".

I am interested in having two network connections into the computer because
of the opportunity it offers for connecting the two machines with a
crossover cable. This would allow the internet connection to be protected
with a firewall.

Don J

Look under Network Adapters in Device Manager and see if the second
Ethernet adapter is installed. If it is, there's probably a problem
with it, such as "no drivers installed". In that case, un-install and
re-install the adapter.

If the second network adapter doesn't appear in Device Manager, see if
there's a setting in the computer's BIOS that enables/disables it.

However, I think that a two-network setup is unnecessarily complicated
and that it provides no benefit. It's safe to use a single network,
connected to the router, for both Internet access and file sharing.

Enable the Windows XP firewall. Run the Network Setup Wizard again,
and tell it:

1. This computer connects to the Internet through a residential
gateway.

2. Turn file and printer sharing ON.

The Wizard will configure the Windows Firewall to allow file sharing
between your computers while blocking other types of network access.
--
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

 

[Don J]

I have discovered that transfers will take place between machines even with
theWin'XP firewall enabled. The Win'XP firewall doesn't protect against
outgoing violations. And this was apparently the problem. So I am merrily
doing transfers between machines.

That problem has been solved.

A separate but related problem. On machine 1 the very first screen at
bootup is a blue screen that offers a variety of options, including
activating the "Boot Menu". On machine 2 the blue screen is missing. I
have yet to find a way of activating the boot menu.

I have reinstalled (New Installation) on machine 2. The blue screen is
still missing!

Inability to access the "Boot Menu" is a pretty serious problem. Any ideas
for how I can access it.

Don J

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have discovered that transfers will take place between machines even with
theWin'XP firewall enabled. The Win'XP firewall doesn't protect against
outgoing violations. And this was apparently the problem. So I am merrily
doing transfers between machines.

Yes, by design, the Windows Firewall allows file sharing between
computers on the local area network. When you enable File and Printer
Sharing, it automatically creates a firewall exception for File and
Printer Sharing by computers on the local area network.

The Windows Firewall still blocks other, potentially unwanted, types
of access from computers on the local area network. And it still
blocks all types of access from computers on the Internet.

I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean by "outgoing violations".

That problem has been solved.

Good. Since you asked the news group for help with the problem,
please tell us how you solved it. That could help other people who
have the same problem.

A separate but related problem. On machine 1 the very first screen at
bootup is a blue screen that offers a variety of options, including
activating the "Boot Menu". On machine 2 the blue screen is missing. I
have yet to find a way of activating the boot menu.

This is a new question that has nothing to do with the subject "Can't
share folders between two different machines" or with networking. I
recommend that you post it in an appropriate news group and give it a
descriptive subject title.

I have reinstalled (New Installation) on machine 2. The blue screen is
still missing!

Inability to access the "Boot Menu" is a pretty serious problem. Any ideas
for how I can access it.

Don J

--
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

 

[Don J]

The critical thing in getting transfers between machines to work was
discovering that although I had two different ethernet connections on the
back of the machine, only one was working properly.

Then there was your suggestion that I should enable "File and Printer
Sharing". This was the final step.

Thank you very much for your help.

Don J

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

The critical thing in getting transfers between machines to work was
discovering that although I had two different ethernet connections on the
back of the machine, only one was working properly.

Then there was your suggestion that I should enable "File and Printer
Sharing". This was the final step.

Thank you very much for your help.

Don J

You're welcome, Don.
--
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