File sharing not allowed in Vista

J

Jeff Marcum

I have tried everything both imaginable and suggested in the forums and other
web sites and still cannot allow my Vista machine's files to be accessed from
other network computers in my house. I can see the folders from my 2 other xp
machines, but when I click on the folders I get the usual message indicating
my access is denied, don't have permission, etc. This has been three days in
the works and still nothing. Everytime I change everything to allow sharing
it looks good; however, once I close the file manager and open it up again,
the settings have reverted back to not allowing sharing.

In the course of my search, I have not yet found anyone to have successfully
resolved the issue. I appears that Vista simply does not allow sharing, yet
no one is willing to admit it. Please either admit this is beyond Vista's
capabiltiy or give a bonafide step-by-step procedure on how to allow sharing.
I have read the other step-by-step procedures posted on the MS web site, but
to no avail. Such
as:(http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/9636e0f2-0223-45d2-89cb-3e317c4509051033.mspx) and all links on that page.

I have found nothing to explain why the settings do not hold their positions.
 
G

GTS

Vista certainly does allow sharing. (I just passed some files back and
forth on my Win 2K machine and have done so with various network computers
routinely using Vista, XP, and Win2K to a Vista share.)

I sympathize with your obvious frustration, but you don't give enough
information for anyone to be able to give much practical assistance. What
version of Vista? Are you trying to use password protected or public
sharing? What 3rd party security software are you running if any? etc.
etc.

The link below might be of some help.

File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx
 
J

Jeff Marcum

GTS,

Thank you for responding. Yes, I am frustrated, which is why I wasn't very
helpful in providing more info. Sorry about that. Please allow me to start
over with the following information:

Vista version: Home Premium
Workgroup Name: Workgroup.

After right clicking on a folder, I select Properties. When the folder
properties window opens, I select Sharing. The Share button under folder
icon is greyed out, thus not allowing me the option to select it. I have not
found a way to allow me to select that button.

My settings in Sharing and Discovery are as follows:
Nework discovery: On
File Sharing: On
Public folder sharing: On
Printer sharing: On
Password Protected sharing: Off
Media sharing: On

In addition, I at first made exceptions with my Windows firewall, but that
did nothing, and I have since turned the firewall completely off...also to no
avail. I have no 3rd party firewall installed.

I am generally computer savy and have selected every possible option that
indicates it should allow sharing, but I have made no progress.

Thanks.
 
G

GTS

That's a good summary. Here's are a few initial ideas/question.

- If you open a command prompt and enter the command "net user guest" does
it show the guest account as active? If not, run
"net user guest /active:yes" in an elevated command prompt to turn it on, as
it's used for non-password protected sharing.

- If you click "Show me all the shared network folders on this computer" at
the bottom of the Network and Sharing center screen does anything show?
(I'm particularly curious as to whether it shows the "Public" folder as
shared.)

- What folders have you tried to share? What happens if you try to share
your "Documents" folder?
--
 
M

Mick Murphy

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx

Have a read of the above link re Vista File and Printer Sharing.

1st thing to do is make sure that the Workgroup Name of ALL the computers is
the SAME.

In Vista Network and Sharing:

Network Discovery: ON (So it can see the other computers)

Network set to Private (Public is for hotspots, airports, etc)

File Sharing: ON

Public Folder Sharing: ON (Vista’s Public Folder is the same as XP’s Shared
Docs)

Password Protected: OFF (unless you want to set up identical usernames and
passwords on ALL computers in your Network) If you have it ON, you will be
asked for a username and password when you try to access a Vista computer
from an XP computer.

Also, run the XP’s Home Network File and Printer sharing Wizard
 
J

Jeff Marcum

I've read that and have done everything as outlined. Moreover, the workgroup
name is the same on all computers and all settings are set as you outlined
each of them below. Both XP computers' nework file and print sharing wizards
have also been run.
 
M

mike4advtr

Jeff try this from my posting 11/26/07:
Found my solution ( at least for me). Permissions are indeed granted in two
places. The trick that worked for me was in the security tab you must "edit"
permissions then "add" which allows you to type in the box "Everybody" which
is not listed, you have to type it in. I would not have known to type it if
not for "Everybody" being the default term in the share permissions folder.
Really overly complicated, I though this was all to be much easier.
 
M

mike4advtr

I think you are describing my troubles, if you are try this:
(Copy of posting)
Found my solution ( at least for me). Permissions are indeed granted in two
places. The trick that worked for me was in the security tab (after share
tab) you must "edit" permissions then "add" which allows you to type in the
box "Everybody" which is not listed, you have to type it in. I would not have
known to type it if not for "Everybody" being the default term in the share
permissions folder. Really overly complicated, I thought this was all to be
much easier.
 
J

Jeff Marcum

Hi Mike,

I tried exactly what you suggested; unfortunately, Vista would not allow me
to add "everybody". Instead I received the following message:

"Name Not Found"

"An object named "everybody" cannot be found. Check the selected object
types and location for accuracy and ensure that you typed the object name
correctly, or remove this object from the selection."

Vista acts like I should be adding an Object Type that is already listed. It
also shows the PC I am on as the only option, i.e., From this location:

This is way too difficult. I am on the eight day, and I am still waiting for
someone from MS to enter a solution.
 
M

mike4advtr

I am an idiot, I mean a big one. If you are still having trouble insert the
word "everyone" to the suggestions below where you see "everybody" geez I'm
sorry.

I think you are describing my troubles, if you are try this:
(Copy of posting)
Found my solution ( at least for me). Permissions are indeed granted in two
places. The trick that worked for me was in the security tab (after share
tab) you must "edit" permissions then "add" which allows you to type in the
box "Everybody" which is not listed, you have to type it in. I would not have
known to type it if not for "Everybody" being the default term in the share
permissions folder. Really overly complicated, I thought this was all to be
much easier.
 
R

Robert L. \(MS-MVP\)

Yes, most sharing issues are related to the permissions in the Security tab.
To add the everyone, you click Security tab and type everyone in Enter the
object names select. Or click Advanced to find it.

--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com
 
A

Andy T

I know what you are going through. For a system that is meant to be better
and was 2 years late; this is embarrasing. I have now managed to share but
only sort of! Any Word document opening on a peripheral PC opens Read Only
and I cannot save back to the networked PC.

Much of my help came here:
http://forums.scotsnewsletter.com/index.php?showtopic=20014

I'd love to hear if you get this fixed. Odd how no MVPs seem to know
anything about Vista?

Cheers!
 

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