Shared folder problem on an NTFS external drive

[Bill W]

I have a small 3 computer home network. I attached a new Western Digital
MyBook 500bg external drive via USB to one of the computers (XP). I
formatted it to NTFS before adding any files. I made a new folder. For
this discussion, assume that the folder is called Bill's Pictures. I added
thousands of folders and files (digital pictures) to the Bill's Pictures
folder via a backup restore. All of the files are there and accessible by
the PC that the drive is connect to. I shared Bill's Pictures. I can
access all of the folders and files I initially added to Bill's Pictures
from the other 2 computers on the network without any problem. The next
step is where I encounter my problem.

During the last week, I up-loaded pictures from my camera to several folders
within My Pictures on the C-drive of the computer that has the external
drive attached to it. Today, I copied the new folders from My Pictures on
the C-drive to Bill's Pictures on the external drive. I can access the new
folders and files that are on the external drive from the computer that the
drive is attached to without any problem. I can see the new folders from
the other 2 computers on the network, but when I hover the cursor over any
of the new folders, I'm told that the folder is empty. If I double-click
any of the new folders from the other 2 computers, I'm told that I don't
have permission to access the folder.

I read somewhere that I might have to change the NTFS permissions. I don't
know if that's my problem and if it is my problem, I don't know how to find
or set NTFS permissions. I would appreciate any help you can give me.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Bill

 

[BillW]

Since I posted this, I now find that I cannot access the new folders from
any of the computers, including the computer that the drive is attached to.
So now my revised problem is that any folder that was added since the
initial loading of folders and files gives me an access denied when I try to
open the folder. Please help.

 

[Brian A.]

I have a small 3 computer home network. I attached a new Western Digital MyBook
500bg external drive via USB to one of the computers (XP). I formatted it to NTFS
before adding any files. I made a new folder. For this discussion, assume that the
folder is called Bill's Pictures. I added thousands of folders and files (digital
pictures) to the Bill's Pictures folder via a backup restore. All of the files are
there and accessible by the PC that the drive is connect to. I shared Bill's
Pictures. I can access all of the folders and files I initially added to Bill's
Pictures from the other 2 computers on the network without any problem. The next
step is where I encounter my problem.

During the last week, I up-loaded pictures from my camera to several folders within
My Pictures on the C-drive of the computer that has the external drive attached to
it. Today, I copied the new folders from My Pictures on the C-drive to Bill's
Pictures on the external drive. I can access the new folders and files that are on
the external drive from the computer that the drive is attached to without any
problem. I can see the new folders from the other 2 computers on the network, but
when I hover the cursor over any of the new folders, I'm told that the folder is
empty. If I double-click any of the new folders from the other 2 computers, I'm
told that I don't have permission to access the folder.

I read somewhere that I might have to change the NTFS permissions. I don't know if
that's my problem and if it is my problem, I don't know how to find or set NTFS
permissions. I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thank you in advance for
your help.

Bill

How to set, view, change, or remove file and folder permissions in Windows XP
(Pro/Home)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308418

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP (Pro/Home)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

How to set, view, change, or remove special permissions for files and folders in
Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308419

How to configure file sharing in Windows XP (Pro/Home)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

How to disable Simple Sharing and set permissions on a shared folder in Windows XP
(Pro only)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307874


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375