Some workgroup computers prompt for username & password

[JV]

Hi,

We have a 10-15 computer network (Win XP & Win 98SE desktop & notebook
computers.)

All network/workgroup computers can "see" & ping each other.

Most can connect to each others "shared documents" folder without a problem
nor a need to enter any usernames or passwords (What we want)

However everyone who tries to access certain network/workgroup computers (3
different XP Pro computers) is unable to do so because they are prompted to
enter a username & password.

As far as anyone knows, nobody set, uses, or has any usernames or passwords
since for the most part everyone can simply connect to each others computers
shared docs folders without having to enter any usernames or passwords.

What things might I do to enable these username & password prompting
computers to allow everyone to access their shared documents folder without
being prompted for a username & password.

Mega-Thanks,

JV

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Hi,

We have a 10-15 computer network (Win XP & Win 98SE desktop & notebook
computers.)

All network/workgroup computers can "see" & ping each other.

Most can connect to each others "shared documents" folder without a problem
nor a need to enter any usernames or passwords (What we want)

However everyone who tries to access certain network/workgroup computers (3
different XP Pro computers) is unable to do so because they are prompted to
enter a username & password.

As far as anyone knows, nobody set, uses, or has any usernames or passwords
since for the most part everyone can simply connect to each others computers
shared docs folders without having to enter any usernames or passwords.

What things might I do to enable these username & password prompting
computers to allow everyone to access their shared documents folder without
being prompted for a username & password.

Mega-Thanks,

JV

Run the Network Setup Wizard on those XP Pro computers to fully enable
file sharing:

XP ICS - Starting the Network Setup Wizard
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/networksetupwiz.htm

If that doesn't fix the problem, it's possible that someone disabled
"simple file sharing" on those XP Pro computers, which causes them to
check the user name and password of anyone who tries to access them.
To find out, go to My Computer | Tools | Folder Options | View, and
scroll to the end of the list. If "Use simple file sharing
(Recommended)" is un-checked:

1. Put a check mark in the box and click OK.
2. Un-share and re-share any shared disks or folders on that computer.

If someone has explicitly defined a password for the Guest account on
those computers, enter that password at the prompt or remove the
password from the Guest account.
--
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

 

[JV]

Hi,

All of the computers have the simple file sharing option unchecked.

With this fact in mind, how would you suggest I proceed?

Thanks for your feedback and heads-up regarding the practicallynetworked.com
Web site.

Bye & thanks,

JV

Hi,

We have a 10-15 computer network (Win XP & Win 98SE desktop & notebook
computers.)

All network/workgroup computers can "see" & ping each other.

Most can connect to each others "shared documents" folder without a problem
nor a need to enter any usernames or passwords (What we want)

However everyone who tries to access certain network/workgroup computers (3
different XP Pro computers) is unable to do so because they are prompted to
enter a username & password.

As far as anyone knows, nobody set, uses, or has any usernames or passwords
since for the most part everyone can simply connect to each others computers
shared docs folders without having to enter any usernames or passwords.

What things might I do to enable these username & password prompting
computers to allow everyone to access their shared documents folder without
being prompted for a username & password.

Mega-Thanks,

JV

Run the Network Setup Wizard on those XP Pro computers to fully enable
file sharing:

XP ICS - Starting the Network Setup Wizard
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/networksetupwiz.htm

If that doesn't fix the problem, it's possible that someone disabled
"simple file sharing" on those XP Pro computers, which causes them to
check the user name and password of anyone who tries to access them.
To find out, go to My Computer | Tools | Folder Options | View, and
scroll to the end of the list. If "Use simple file sharing
(Recommended)" is un-checked:

1. Put a check mark in the box and click OK.
2. Un-share and re-share any shared disks or folders on that computer.

If someone has explicitly defined a password for the Guest account on
those computers, enter that password at the prompt or remove the
password from the Guest account.
--
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

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Steve,
We have exactly the same problem here on our network of about 30 mixed OS Windows computers. When a PC user tries to access supposedly "shared" folders on the XP machines, a dialog pops up asking for a password to reach "OtherPC\IPC$". (And of course, that's not the folder or share they're trying to reach.)

We have deliberately disabled Simple File Sharing because it is incompatible with our Veritas Backup Exec software, which cannot back up an XP machine unless Simple File Sharing is turned off.

So the question is, how do we share folders and files on WinXP machines, in a mixed Workgroup environment with Simple File Sharing disabled?

thanks for any help.

All that's usually necessary is to create user accounts on WinXP Pro
with the same user names and passwords that people use to log onto the
other computers on the network.

Ron Lowe and I have written a web page with details:

Windows XP Professional File Sharing
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/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