networking 2 desktops and 1 notebook

[Guest]

How do I get support for successfully setting up a network consisting of 3
computers connected through a Linksys Wireless-B broadband router? 2 desktop
computers running Windows XP Pro (SP2) are ethernet connected and 1 notebook
computer running Windows XP Home (SP1) is connected wirelessly (802.11g).
Both have no problem getting on the internet, but "reading" the other
computers is something else again. They are in the same workgroup. From some
I can "see" the hard drive(s) of at least one other, but not all. Windows XP
tells me that, apparently, the Program Files folder cannot be shared (Which
in itself seems to defeat the objective of network sharing). I would hope
there is be a way to make all folders and files share-able without going to
each folder on each computer and setting the sharing and security separately,
but even that would meet the objective of networking my computers.

Can anyone run through the precise steps necessary to get this network fully
functional--reading and working on all files on all computers from any
computer?

 

[Harry Putnam]

[...]

Can anyone run through the precise steps necessary to get this network fully
functional--reading and working on all files on all computers from any
computer?

I can suggest a few things but I too need further information on this
topic.

Steps I've followed do allow full communicatoin and file read/write:

1) Setup a specific user on all machines (same name same password)
with administrative power. (Doesn't need to be an actual user of
course, but the password part is essential)
2) Set each machines drives to be shared and add the above person to
the list with full powers.

Details: right click on a drive, choose `sharing and security'

You'll see a `new share' button near the bottom. Use that to
create a sharename. Use the permissions button on that diaglog
to set the user described in 1 above with full priviledges.

Having done that on all machines to all drives you should be able to
click on a machine in network places and be queried for username and
password. Use the one from part 1 above.

If you want not to be queried again select the `remember password'
option.

 

[Chuck]

How do I get support for successfully setting up a network consisting of 3
computers connected through a Linksys Wireless-B broadband router? 2 desktop
computers running Windows XP Pro (SP2) are ethernet connected and 1 notebook
computer running Windows XP Home (SP1) is connected wirelessly (802.11g).
Both have no problem getting on the internet, but "reading" the other
computers is something else again. They are in the same workgroup. From some
I can "see" the hard drive(s) of at least one other, but not all. Windows XP
tells me that, apparently, the Program Files folder cannot be shared (Which
in itself seems to defeat the objective of network sharing). I would hope
there is be a way to make all folders and files share-able without going to
each folder on each computer and setting the sharing and security separately,
but even that would meet the objective of networking my computers.

Can anyone run through the precise steps necessary to get this network fully
functional--reading and working on all files on all computers from any
computer?

Les,

With XP Home and Simple File Sharing, the sharing of "C:\Program Files" is
restricted by the system. Only administrative accounts can access that folder,
and SFS doesn't permit networked administrative access.

Setting up shares to specific folders under "C:\Program Files", in this case,
may be your best solution. Or, it may be possible for you to disable Simple
File Sharing under XP Home. The latter is an unsupported process.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net

 

[Chuck]

How do I get support for successfully setting up a network consisting of 3
computers connected through a Linksys Wireless-B broadband router? 2 desktop
computers running Windows XP Pro (SP2) are ethernet connected and 1 notebook
computer running Windows XP Home (SP1) is connected wirelessly (802.11g).
Both have no problem getting on the internet, but "reading" the other
computers is something else again. They are in the same workgroup. From some
I can "see" the hard drive(s) of at least one other, but not all. Windows XP
tells me that, apparently, the Program Files folder cannot be shared (Which
in itself seems to defeat the objective of network sharing). I would hope
there is be a way to make all folders and files share-able without going to
each folder on each computer and setting the sharing and security separately,
but even that would meet the objective of networking my computers.

Can anyone run through the precise steps necessary to get this network fully
functional--reading and working on all files on all computers from any
computer?

Les,

With Simple File Sharing, sharing of "C:\Program Files" may be a problem. Only
administrative accounts can access that folder, and SFS doesn't permit networked
administrative access.

For your two desktop computers running XP Pro, the solution is simple. Disable
Simple File Sharing (Control Panel - Folder Options - View - Advanced settings).

On XP Pro with SFS disabled, check the Local Security Policies (Control Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to "Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

On XP Pro with SFS disabled, if you set the above Local Security Policy to
"Classic", setup and use a common non-Guest account on all computers. Whichever
account is used, give it an identical, non-blank password on all computers.

With XP Home, you may be stuck with Simple File Sharing.

Setting up shares to specific folders under "C:\Program Files", in that case,
may be your best solution. Or, it may be possible for you to disable Simple
File Sharing under XP Home. The latter, however, is an unsupported process.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net

 

[Guest]

Les,

With XP Home and Simple File Sharing, the sharing of "C:\Program Files" is
restricted by the system. Only administrative accounts can access that folder,
and SFS doesn't permit networked administrative access.

Setting up shares to specific folders under "C:\Program Files", in this case,
may be your best solution. Or, it may be possible for you to disable Simple
File Sharing under XP Home. The latter is an unsupported process.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net

Thanks, Chuck. Can you give me a clue about disabling Simple File Sharing
under XP Home?

 

[Guest]

[...]

Can anyone run through the precise steps necessary to get this network fully
functional--reading and working on all files on all computers from any
computer?

I can suggest a few things but I too need further information on this
topic.

Steps I've followed do allow full communicatoin and file read/write:

1) Setup a specific user on all machines (same name same password)
with administrative power. (Doesn't need to be an actual user of
course, but the password part is essential)
2) Set each machines drives to be shared and add the above person to
the list with full powers.

Details: right click on a drive, choose `sharing and security'

You'll see a `new share' button near the bottom. Use that to
create a sharename. Use the permissions button on that diaglog
to set the user described in 1 above with full priviledges.

Having done that on all machines to all drives you should be able to
click on a machine in network places and be queried for username and
password. Use the one from part 1 above.

If you want not to be queried again select the `remember password'
option.

Harrry, your comments were most helpful. Thanks, Les

 

[Guest]

Les,

With Simple File Sharing, sharing of "C:\Program Files" may be a problem. Only
administrative accounts can access that folder, and SFS doesn't permit networked
administrative access.

For your two desktop computers running XP Pro, the solution is simple. Disable
Simple File Sharing (Control Panel - Folder Options - View - Advanced settings).

On XP Pro with SFS disabled, check the Local Security Policies (Control Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to "Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

On XP Pro with SFS disabled, if you set the above Local Security Policy to
"Classic", setup and use a common non-Guest account on all computers. Whichever
account is used, give it an identical, non-blank password on all computers.

With XP Home, you may be stuck with Simple File Sharing.

Setting up shares to specific folders under "C:\Program Files", in that case,
may be your best solution. Or, it may be possible for you to disable Simple
File Sharing under XP Home. The latter, however, is an unsupported process.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net

Chuck, the additional info was most helpful. It seems I only have to figure
out a way to disable Simple File Sharing in the notebook with XP Home, or see
if I can convert that OS to XP Pro. I am interested in any response you have
to my reply to your earlier post. Thanks again!

Les

 

[Chuck]

Chuck, the additional info was most helpful. It seems I only have to figure
out a way to disable Simple File Sharing in the notebook with XP Home, or see
if I can convert that OS to XP Pro. I am interested in any response you have
to my reply to your earlier post. Thanks again!

Les

Les,

Thanks for the feedback about the XP Pro details.

Re the XP Home solution, this has been supplied by Steve Winograd previously. I
understand that it is not a supported solution. Microsoft would of course
prefer that you upgrade to XP Pro.

With XP Home, you can temporarily disable Simple File Sharing by starting up in
"Safe Mode with Networking".

A Description of the Safe Mode Boot Options in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=315222

With Simple File Sharing disabled, right click the desired folder, click Sharing
and Security, and share the folder. Then, click the Permissions button to
specify network access permissions, and click the Security tab to specify NTFS
file system permissions. A network user needs both permissions in order to
access the share.

For details how to set permissions:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net

 

[Guest]

Les,

Thanks for the feedback about the XP Pro details.

Re the XP Home solution, this has been supplied by Steve Winograd previously. I
understand that it is not a supported solution. Microsoft would of course
prefer that you upgrade to XP Pro.

With XP Home, you can temporarily disable Simple File Sharing by starting up in
"Safe Mode with Networking".

A Description of the Safe Mode Boot Options in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=315222

With Simple File Sharing disabled, right click the desired folder, click Sharing
and Security, and share the folder. Then, click the Permissions button to
specify network access permissions, and click the Security tab to specify NTFS
file system permissions. A network user needs both permissions in order to
access the share.

For details how to set permissions:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net

Chuck, I can't thank you enough for all your help. At theis moment, with all
my fingers crossed, I think I have reached my objective in this networking
problem. Both your answers and Harry's have let this 78 year old to
networking bliss--so far.

Les