Sharing C-drive

[Jon]

On a PC, I have enabled the sharing of the C-drive, so that other PCs on the small workgroup network
can read and write files.

It all works fine, but it won't let me access files in "C:\Documents and Settings\User" (where User
is the account name) from another PC on the network.

Is there a way access this?

 

[Malke]

On a PC, I have enabled the sharing of the C-drive, so that other PCs on
the small workgroup network can read and write files.

It all works fine, but it won't let me access files in "C:\Documents and
Settings\User" (where User is the account name) from another PC on the
network.

Is there a way access this?

Create matching user accounts and passwords on all machines. You do not need
to be logged into the same account on all machines and the passwords
assigned to each user account can be different; the accounts/passwords just
need to exist and match on all machines. DO NOT NEGLECT TO CREATE
PASSWORDS, EVEN IF ONLY SIMPLE ONES.

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center, turn off Simple
File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab). Now you will be able to access
everything.

Create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users' home
directories or Program Files, but you can share folders inside those
directories. A better choice is to simply use the Shared Documents folder.
Sharing out the entire C: drive is not wise. It is better to just share the
user folders (or Shared Documents) in question. There is never any reason
you will want to share Program Files or the Windows directory for instance.

Malke

 

[Singapore Computer Service]

Hello,

You need to set the NTFS permissions to 'Everyone' for the problematic
folder

A general guide
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307874
(under 'To share a folder or a drive with specific users or groups' and see
the note there too)
__
http://www.bootstrike.com/ComputerService/
Singapore Computer Home Remote On-Site Repair Service

 

[Jon]

Thanks for your reply Malke.

All user accounts are the same, called "User". There isn't a password set since there are no privacy
concerns within the workgroup network, although there are with people trying to get in via the
internet which must be blocked. The network is via an ADSL broadband modem with built-in firewall
which doesn't have wireless. Windows Firewall is enabled on all PCs.

Why is it important to set a password? My understanding is that if you don't set a password, XP
won't let remote users in, but maybe I'm wrong here.

On a PC, I have enabled the sharing of the C-drive, so that other PCs on
the small workgroup network can read and write files.

It all works fine, but it won't let me access files in "C:\Documents and
Settings\User" (where User is the account name) from another PC on the
network.

Is there a way access this?

Create matching user accounts and passwords on all machines. You do not need
to be logged into the same account on all machines and the passwords
assigned to each user account can be different; the accounts/passwords just
need to exist and match on all machines. DO NOT NEGLECT TO CREATE
PASSWORDS, EVEN IF ONLY SIMPLE ONES.

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center, turn off Simple
File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab). Now you will be able to access
everything.

Create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users' home
directories or Program Files, but you can share folders inside those
directories. A better choice is to simply use the Shared Documents folder.
Sharing out the entire C: drive is not wise. It is better to just share the
user folders (or Shared Documents) in question. There is never any reason
you will want to share Program Files or the Windows directory for instance.

Malke

 

[Malke]

Thanks for your reply Malke.

All user accounts are the same, called "User". There isn't a password set
since there are no privacy concerns within the workgroup network, although
there are with people trying to get in via the internet which must be
blocked. The network is via an ADSL broadband modem with built-in firewall
which doesn't have wireless. Windows Firewall is enabled on all PCs.

Why is it important to set a password? My understanding is that if you
don't set a password, XP won't let remote users in, but maybe I'm wrong
here.

The instructions to create a password are because most people have multiple
users, different operating systems, different versions of the same
operating system (XP Home, XP Pro), some operating systems network better
with a password (Vista for ex.), and many people want some form of
security. So setting a password makes everything Just Work.

Your understanding about "XP won't let remote users in" is completely false.
Not having strong passwords on user accounts is a security vulnerability.
Only you can decide whether to protect against that or not.

Malke