some files are not accessable in shared folder in home network

M

Mel

When I try to access some of the files in a shared folder, I get
"windows can not access the specified device path or file. you may
not have the appropriate permissions to access the item"

It is strange because of the hundred or so .exe files in that folder,
I can access most of them that were loaded in there a year or so ago,
from any of the three computers on the network.

For the more recent files, though, I get that message in quotes above.

I use the folder for software downloads. I put stuff in there that I
want to use from any of the computers on my simple netgear home
network. For several years I had no problems using any .exe file in
there from any of the three computers. Recently, though, when I try
to access some of those files that message pops up.

I have no problems accessing any of the files in any of the other
shared folders on the network.

I have Windows XP home edition, SP3.

Why would I be able to access 3/4 of the .exe files in that folder,
but not the files downloaded in there more recently?

Thanks for any help,

Mel
 
L

Leonard Grey

You lack sufficient NTFS permission.

Nutshell:

User accounts differ in the /activities/ they allow. For example, a
(Computer) Administrator is allowed to install and remove software,
whereas a (Limited) User is not.

NTFS permissions govern your /access/ to files and folders, for example:
whether or not you are allowed to read or execute a given file.

To put it all together: Your user account may allow you to run an
installer, but if you don't have the correct NTFS access to the folder,
it ain't gonna happen. NTFS permissions trump user account privileges
every time.

Clear as mud?

You have to decide what kind of NTFS permissions you want to assign to
the shared folder. This is advanced stuff. It's also beyond the scope of
a news post.

If you are reasonably comfortable with geek stuff /and you pride
yourself in being extremely careful/ I can give you enough of a push to
get going. Otherwise, call in the professionals.
 
M

Mel

Wouldn't lacking sufficient NTFS permission apply to the whole
folder? to all the files in that folder?

Do I have to adjust NTFS permissions on each .exe file????????

What really has me puzzled is that most of the files in that folder
are completely accessible. They are mostly software items I
downloaded such as AdAware, Exifer, Belarc Advisor, Games, Quicktime,
PrimoPDF, etc. Most of those files can be used normally from the
computers that have to go to that folder on the primary computer,.. in
fact I installed them on the other computers in the network by going
to that shared folder from those computers. There are several of
those software packages though, all of which have been downloaded
within the past year or so, that give me that annoying message.

Why would things work normally most of the time for 3/4 of the .exe
files in that folder, but on several of the .exe files, I am told may
not have appropriate permissions?
 
L

Leonard Grey

If you're familiar with NTFS permissions, check 'em yourself and adjust
as necessary.

If you have XP Pro, they're on the Security tab when you right-click on
a file or folder and choose Properties. If you have XP Home it's a
little more complicated...you have to get around Simple File Sharing.
(Let me know.)
 
M

Mel

If you're familiar with NTFS permissions, check 'em yourself and adjust
as necessary.

If you have XP Pro, they're on the Security tab when you right-click on
a file or folder and choose Properties. If you have XP Home it's a
little more complicated...you have to get around Simple File Sharing.
(Let me know.)
I have XP home on the satellite computer, and 2005 Media Center on the
main computer
 
M

Mike

Mel said:
Why would I be able to access 3/4 of the .exe files in that folder,
but not the files downloaded in there more recently?

Did you download those files with Firefox?

Mike
 

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