Access denied to Program Files and Windows folders

[Gerry Peters]

I have 3 XP computers networked. The newest computer an Athlon 64 3400+
Gigabyte Nforce 3 motherboard doesn't let the other 2 computers even open 2
folders (Program Files and Windows). I get an "access denied" message. None
of the other computers have this restriction. I'm the single operator and
have no reason to have any restictions on networking and file sharing.

The Athlon 64 has a Gigabit network built into the motherboard. It also has
3 partitions plus a 2nd HD. When enabling or disabling "Sharing" I get a
message saying "Setting Folder permissions". For some reason I don't get
this message on my C (boot) drive, but I do get it for the other HD's and
partitions.

The other computers don't have this restiction on "Program Files" and
"Windows"

Any ideas?

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have 3 XP computers networked. The newest computer an Athlon 64 3400+
Gigabyte Nforce 3 motherboard doesn't let the other 2 computers even open 2
folders (Program Files and Windows). I get an "access denied" message. None
of the other computers have this restriction. I'm the single operator and
have no reason to have any restictions on networking and file sharing.

The Athlon 64 has a Gigabit network built into the motherboard. It also has
3 partitions plus a 2nd HD. When enabling or disabling "Sharing" I get a
message saying "Setting Folder permissions". For some reason I don't get
this message on my C (boot) drive, but I do get it for the other HD's and
partitions.

The other computers don't have this restiction on "Program Files" and
"Windows"

Any ideas?

That's XP's default behavior when it's installed on an NTFS disk
partition and it belongs to a workgroup. It blocks network access to
the Program Files and Windows folders and to individual users' folders
within Documents and Settings.

You can share subfolders within those folders, e.g. you can share
"C:\Program Files\Outlook Express" or "C:\Documents and
Settings\Username\Desktop" and access that folder from another
computer on the network.

If you have Windows XP Professional, you can disable simple file
sharing, which removes those sharing restrictions:

1. Open My Computer and click Tools | Folder Options | View.
2. Scroll to the end of the advanced settings.
3. Un-check "Use simple file sharing (recommended)".
--
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

 

[Gerry Peters]

I thought you solved it when I saw your message, but unfortunately I still
can't get access to those folders. 2 XP computers have Fat32 boot drives,
the 3rd (new one) has NTFS. I do have XP professional and Un-checked "Use
simple file sharing". First on the 3rd computer then on the other 2. I then
removed sharing from the NTFS computer C and rebooted and then enabled
sharing. I tried "new share" and granted full permissions, tried using C$
and C as the share name. I keep booting and rebooting and have run out of
things to try.

Is there a solution to this?

Thanks,

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I thought you solved it when I saw your message, but unfortunately I still
can't get access to those folders. 2 XP computers have Fat32 boot drives,
the 3rd (new one) has NTFS. I do have XP professional and Un-checked "Use
simple file sharing". First on the 3rd computer then on the other 2. I then
removed sharing from the NTFS computer C and rebooted and then enabled
sharing. I tried "new share" and granted full permissions, tried using C$
and C as the share name. I keep booting and rebooting and have run out of
things to try.

Is there a solution to this?

Thanks,

What exactly happens now when you try to access C$ and C from another
computer?
--
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

 

[Gerry Peters]

What exactly happens now when you try to access C$ and C from another
computer?<<

Accessing C brings up the folders to view. When I double click on all
other folders they open just fine. When I double click on the Windows
folder or the Program Files folder, previously I got an "Access Denied"
message. (short and simple). Now I get a longer error message when clicking
on the same folders:
\\Athlon64\C\Windows is not accessable. You might not have permission to use
this Network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out
if you can have access permissions

ACCESS IS DENIED



I have Service pack 1. Since I have a hardware firewall (router), I haven't
gone to Service pack 2 and since it doesn't seem to work well with Audio
recording. There are no other users for all my computers, so when I boot up
it goes to the desktop. Is there a registry tweak to fix this?

 

[Gerry Peters]

Steve, thanks for the suggestions. If you're out of ideas let me know and if
you have any suggestions on a Forum or knowledge base or website that may
help me solve this, please let me know. I'm beginning to think something may
be fouled up in the registry and I somehow need to clean the networking out
and start over. What do you think?

 

[Gerry Peters]

I've solved my own problem and will post the solution just in case someone
has a similar problem. (refer also to my post titled "Permissions ...")

I setup remote desktop on all 3 computers and in doing so had to create
logon passwords under control panel/user accounts. Since my network is a one
person network, I have no need for passwords and a logon screen. I solved
this by using Tweaku for XP and choosing auto logon, so I boot to the
desktop.

I think the passwords really solved my problem, but remote desktop is a
wonderful feature enabling me to control any computer on my network from
another computer. I can be downstairs and view the desktop of my upstairs
computer and operate it as if I were upstairs