Junction Points in a Shared Folder

[Dave Hardenbrook]

Hello. Here is the setup giving me problems:

-- Home-based workgroup with one XP Home SP2 system and one Windows 2000
SP4 system connected by a CAT6 crossover cable.

-- XP system (I'll call it "XPHost") has a shared folder (I'll call it
"SFolder1") containing a number of junction point folders.

The reason for this setup is that both machines use a 3D suite whose
project files access resources in multiple folders. These folders
scattered around on the host system's hard drive, and I wanted to
logically consolidate them in one folder, so that each machine can load
the same resources from one shared folder, using consistent UNC paths.

The problem I'm encountering is that I get random "Access Denied" errors
when attempting to open junction point folders in \\XPHost\SFolder1 from
the Windows 2000 system. Some of the junction points work, some don't,
and I can't figure out what the problem is -- \\XPHost\SFolder1 has full
access rights and I'm logged in as an Admin on both machines.

Can someone offer any suggestions?


Dave

 

[Chuck [MVP]]

Hello. Here is the setup giving me problems:

-- Home-based workgroup with one XP Home SP2 system and one Windows 2000
SP4 system connected by a CAT6 crossover cable.

-- XP system (I'll call it "XPHost") has a shared folder (I'll call it
"SFolder1") containing a number of junction point folders.

The reason for this setup is that both machines use a 3D suite whose
project files access resources in multiple folders. These folders
scattered around on the host system's hard drive, and I wanted to
logically consolidate them in one folder, so that each machine can load
the same resources from one shared folder, using consistent UNC paths.

The problem I'm encountering is that I get random "Access Denied" errors
when attempting to open junction point folders in \\XPHost\SFolder1 from
the Windows 2000 system. Some of the junction points work, some don't,
and I can't figure out what the problem is -- \\XPHost\SFolder1 has full
access rights and I'm logged in as an Admin on both machines.

Can someone offer any suggestions?


Dave

Dave,

I'd start by running CACLS, and seeing if there are any differences between the
various junction points. Do the "access denied" errors change between junction
points over time, or are they seen constantly for the same folders?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/09/server-access-authorisation.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/09/server-access-authorisation.html

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.

 

[Dave Hardenbrook]

Dave,

I'd start by running CACLS, and seeing if there are any differences between the
various junction points. Do the "access denied" errors change between junction
points over time, or are they seen constantly for the same folders?

Thanks -- I ran CACLS, and there are no differences bewteen the junction
points that work and those that don't; and the errors seem to always
occur with the same folders. I also followed the links you provided and
tried what they suggest to change the folders' permissions from Safe
Mode, but to no avail.

Is it possible that XP Home is just flakey about junction points and/or
NTFS permissions, and I need to upgrade that system to XP Pro?
(Note: I have no problem accessing junction points on the Win2000 system
from XP Home, just the other way round.)

Dave

 

[Chuck [MVP]]

Thanks -- I ran CACLS, and there are no differences bewteen the junction
points that work and those that don't; and the errors seem to always
occur with the same folders. I also followed the links you provided and
tried what they suggest to change the folders' permissions from Safe
Mode, but to no avail.

Is it possible that XP Home is just flakey about junction points and/or
NTFS permissions, and I need to upgrade that system to XP Pro?
(Note: I have no problem accessing junction points on the Win2000 system
from XP Home, just the other way round.)

Dave

If the errors occur with the same junction points, then it's not random error.
You just haven't noted the pattern yet. If you note what you're doing in Safe
Mode, you'll see that Simple File Sharing is just a wizard on top of Windows
Networking. AFS = one wizard, SFS = another wizard. It's the same underneath
though.

How many junction points total, and how many with the problem? Maybe list the
exact path for each. Give us an idea about the scope of the problem.

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.