FIle Sharing XP home and PRO

[Manny]

NEED help I am having a hard time setting up my Laptop
with (XP HOME) to share files with my desktop that has (XP
PRO). I can not share files or my Printer.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

NEED help I am having a hard time setting up my Laptop
with (XP HOME) to share files with my desktop that has (XP
PRO). I can not share files or my Printer.

Firewall needs to be off (or better yet - properly configured)..
Simple File Sharing should be turned off in my opinion..
The local username/passwords must be identical on the two machines. (or at
least one of them need to be.)

 

[Scott M.]

Firewall needs to be off (or better yet - properly configured)..

Not true.

Simple File Sharing should be turned off in my opinion..
Why?

The local username/passwords must be identical on the two machines. (or at
least one of them need to be.)

That's crazy. Who told you that?

 

[Scott M.]

Can you give us some details on your system configuration and what you've
tried so far?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Not true.


That's crazy. Who told you that?

1) If they have a firewall that is not configured to allow file sharing
(software) it will not allow it.. Period. Thus this:

How to Manually Open Ports in Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308127

And the section on File/Print sharing.

2) I said in my opinion. Simple file sharing is for those who want no
control of their sharing what-so-ever. Security is practically
non-existant. Thus the other suggestions:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm

You'll notice the link to the "more powerful way to control file sharing.."

3) It is true, for most, that the username/password does not have to be the
same *if* you use simple file sharing. As I said (at least once) "in my
opinion", I still stand by it.. Simple File Sharing is not recommended.
It's like using Windows 98 File sharing.. Open to the world. You can assign
it a password, sure, but it's better if not only is it password protected,
but protected because only specific users can access it and further
protected by NTFS file/folder protection so that even if a user can access
the share, you still have areas only certain users can see/use.

 

[johnny d.]

wow, thats a lot of work for something simple. Right click on files or
folders or root you want to share and click sharing and security. Share it.
If xp has folder or files tagged as private then they aren't shared. This is
in the handy help file on start menu too.just a click away. The printer is
just as simple. go to printers, add printer say it is a network printer,
find it and add, drivers from the other computer will be copied to yours
automatically for you, and your ready. X'ferring files back and forth a lot
can be made s lot simpler with the send-to utility from win 95 and 98. I
belive it was called win95 power toys or something to that effect. Just
right click on file and it lets you send it to almost anything except your
toilet.

 

[rob]

Just make sure you have file and printer sharing installed on both. Goto my
connections for this and then properties for the nic. Then check for file
and printer sharing.
Share the folders you want by right clicking and the sharing. If the folder
is protected then you'll have to take other steps to share it. Your only
going between your laptop and desktop not sharing with the neighborhood so
this can be kept simple not elaborate. If your network is established then
you can simply add printer and specify network and browse for it. Your
firewall will be on your DUN(modem) or your router not the nics between
computers. microsoft knowledge base has about a 10 page or so spiel on
setting up a home network if you need help there, and it includes internet
(ics) conn. sharing. This shouldn't take more than a few minutes and you'll
be remotely printing (unless you have some oddball printer).

 

[Scott M.]

1) If they have a firewall that is not configured to allow file sharing
(software) it will not allow it.. Period. Thus this:

How to Manually Open Ports in Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308127

The ICF does not prevent LAN file sharing, only external traffic. I have
ICF turned on at each of my 6 computers in my LAN and still can share files
between them. No configuration of ICF necessary.

And the section on File/Print sharing.

2) I said in my opinion. Simple file sharing is for those who want no
control of their sharing what-so-ever. Security is practically
non-existant. Thus the other suggestions:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm

You'll notice the link to the "more powerful way to control file

sharing.."

There's no need for this. NTFS lets you easily share files/folders to
everyone or just specific users. There's plenty of control in Windows XP
file sharing.

3) It is true, for most, that the username/password does not have to be the
same *if* you use simple file sharing. As I said (at least once) "in my
opinion", I still stand by it.. Simple File Sharing is not recommended.
It's like using Windows 98 File sharing.. Open to the world. You can assign
it a password, sure, but it's better if not only is it password protected,
but protected because only specific users can access it and further
protected by NTFS file/folder protection so that even if a user can access
the share, you still have areas only certain users can see/use.

User names and passwords that are used to log into the various machines on
the network have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with enabling/disabling file
sharing. There is NO REASON to duplicate user names and passwords on the
various networked machines.

You post leads me to believe that you either didn't understand the original
question or you just have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

*sigh*

Neither is true.
----

NEED help I am having a hard time setting up my Laptop
with (XP HOME) to share files with my desktop that has (XP
PRO). I can not share files or my Printer.

----
The OP asked how they could share their files and printers between their
laptop and desktop (one with XP Home and One with XP Professional.) They
did not ask how to enable/disable file sharing. They asked how to share
their files and printers.. Practically the same thing, one requires the
other, but I gave them the extra information that would cover them in most
cases.

If they follow this web page, they get what they want with Simple File
Sharing:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm
(Notice the specifically warn you, "Enabling ICF is a good idea if you
connect directly to the Internet through a dial-up, DSL, or cable modem. But
it's a terrible idea if you connect to the Internet through your LAN, using
a software router (like Internet Connection Sharing) or a hardware router,
since it will block File and Printer Sharing.")

My suggestion would be to properly configure the firewall (using this page:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/ports.asp) and turn on the
firewall (ICF) whether or not they are behind a router. (Notice "File and
print sharing" is the FIRST thing listed.) Then use the instructions (here:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm) that
is linked from the first page above for the desktop (that has XP Pro) to
give a more secured share since these ports will be open through their
software firewall (we have no idea what their configuration is on the
network side.. Hardware firewall? no firewall? Better to suggest they have
some protection than none.)

Fortunately for you and others, the Wizard walks you through the very
setting I urge you to make in the firewall above.. Where it asks you "Use
the wizard to enable file sharing" - which opens the ports that are needed
to be opened for File and Printer sharing through the ICF for you.

As for the usernames/passwords issues.. No, the username/passwords do not
have to be the same *if using Simple File Sharing (which I recommend against
where ever possible simply because there are no passwords or access
restrictions and, with one exception, everything that's shared is accessible
by everyone on the network.) AND/OR if they know username/passwords on the
other machine.

Admittedly, the only way to setup the laptop (XP Home) in this case is with
Simple File sharing, so I will also add to my suggestions that they use ACLs
on the home machine *if* they are creating any shares on it. This page
explains that nicely:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/06acl.htm

My assumptions are along the lines that they will have the shares on the
non-moving machine (the printer and where they want to copy files to/from
are likely on the desktop with XP Pro) and just want to connect to those
shares using the laptop computer - not actually setting up any shares on the
laptop - just mapping the shares on the desktop machine - including
printers.

Sorry - I like security over function, but function is still there and once
setup, the pain is gone. I wanted to give the alternative because if
everyone just goes in and does the easy way - well, that's not always the
best. Maybe with SP2 ans the improved "Windows Firewall" (renamed as well),
then I will trust this Simple File sharing and the wizard a bit more.

 

[Scott M.]

Shenan, you are making WAY to much of this. It's not that complicated (and
lucky for you too I guess).

All someone needs to do to share files between connected XP machines is to
right click the file/folder, choose sharing and enable the share. ICF does
NOT interfere with this and so it can be removed from the discussion
completely. You keep mentioning simple file sharing...What I've just
described is simple to do, but allows you to specify permissions for the
share by user or group.

That's all there is to it. Machine user names and passwords are irrelevant
to the discussion as well. You've taken a simple question and blown it way
out of proportion.

 

[Anando [MS-MVP]]

This is incorrect. In my case, i was not able to share files over the LAN
with my firewall turned on. It had to be turned-off (or configured as stated
by Shenan) for file-sharing to be possible.

--

Regards,
Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org
Get secure !
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Scott M.]

My network card is setup so that in Network Connections, there are 2 items
listed. One is for Internet traffic (with firewall turned on) and one is
for LAN traffic (with firewall turned off). File sharing between computers
on the LAN works just fine.

By the way, no configuration of the ICF was needed on the Internet network
connection.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

My network card is setup so that in Network Connections, there are 2
items listed. One is for Internet traffic (with firewall turned on)
and one is for LAN traffic (with firewall turned off). File sharing
between computers on the LAN works just fine.

By the way, no configuration of the ICF was needed on the Internet
network connection.

So you have one physical NIC and two IPs then...

Or are you using another protocol internally?

Or did you misphrase with "My network card is" (meaning "my network cards
are") and you have two Network Cards?

Any of those setups are plausible, and in any of those setups, if you are
using the IP/other protocol/second NIC for just internal connection, then
you are correct - no ICF configuration would be necessary. However, most
people have installed one protocol by default (TCP/IP) and/or most do not
have a private & public IP assigned to that NIC and/or most do not have two
network adapters in a home PC unless using ICS (Internet Connection
Sharing.)

 

[Shenan Stanley]

My network card is setup so that in Network Connections, there are 2
items listed. One is for Internet traffic (with firewall turned on)
and one is for LAN traffic (with firewall turned off). File sharing
between computers on the LAN works just fine.

By the way, no configuration of the ICF was needed on the Internet
network connection.

So you have one physical NIC and two IPs then...

Or are you using another protocol internally?

Or did you misphrase with "My network card is" (meaning "my network
cards are") and you have two Network Cards?

Any of those setups are plausible, and in any of those setups, if you
are using the IP/other protocol/second NIC for just internal
connection, then you are correct - no ICF configuration would be
necessary. However, most people have installed one protocol by
default (TCP/IP) and/or most do not have a private & public IP
assigned to that NIC and/or most do not have two network adapters in
a home PC unless using ICS (Internet Connection Sharing.)

One more possibility:
You could have a NETSH script that switches you between private and public
IPs/networks..

But you said two items listed in Network Connections.. Which leads me to
the conclusions I made before, with the two NICs being the most probable.

 

[Scott M.]

I do not have any static IP's.
I only have one NIC
I do have two protocols setup.

That's all there is to it.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I do not have any static IP's.
I only have one NIC
I do have two protocols setup.

That's all there is to it.

NWLink/IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatable.
Nice, fast and efficient.

However, it makes everything else you said ASSUME they also installed the
secondary protocol. Most would not.