Re: Folder sharing in home network

RobertL3rd wrote:

I have set up a home network wireless network which works fine. I used
the
"set up home or small office wizard" to network our computers. I am
having 2
problems. One is that my laptop is in one workgroup and my wifes is in
another. I am sure it is my fault, but it does not appear to be a drag
and
drop fix. The other, more immediate problem is that I can access my wifes
shared folders, but when she tries to access mine, she is prompted for a
password. I do not remember setting this and cannot find anything under
"sharing security" when I right click my shared folder that indicates a
password. Additionally, I have my firewall turned on, with folder sharing
set as an exception. She has hers turned off. I tried turning mine off,
to
no avail. Any help would be appreciated.

The name of the Workgroup is irrelevant. There is no security with
Workgroups; Workgroup names are merely an organizational and cosmetic
device.

This is most commonly caused by a misconfigured firewall. Run the Network
Setup Wizard on all computers, making sure to enable File & Printer
Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is that this will turn on the XPSP2
Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party firewall or have an
antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like Norton 2005/06) which acts
as a firewall, then you're fine. If you have third-party firewall software,
configure it to allow the Local Area Network traffic as trusted. I usually
do this with my firewalls with an IP range. Ex. would be
192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would substitute your correct
subnet.

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center:

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the Simple
File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means that
anyone without a user account on the target system can use its resources.
This is a security hole but only you can decide if it matters in your
situation.

Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share folders
inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the Shared
Documents folder.

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network troubleshooter by
MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it and it will usually
pinpoint the problem area(s) - http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Moving 12gb file... or NOT.
    ... Run the Network Setup Wizard on both computers, ... File & Printer Sharing, and reboot. ... turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Shared My Documents
    ... I am not that good in computers. ... Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused ... With Windows Firewall, this means allowing ... File/Printer Sharing on the Exceptions tab. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • Re: cant connect to xp home pc
    ... Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused by 1) a misconfigured firewall; or 2) inadvertently running two firewalls such as the built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party firewall; and/or 3) not having identical user accounts and passwords on all Workgroup machines; 4) trying to create shares where the operating system does not permit it. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Unable to create home network
    ... What am I doing wrong on the desktop in setting up the network? ... Since I don't know what you've done or what operating systems the two computers are running, all I can give you are general network troubleshooting steps. ... It may look daunting, but if you follow the steps at the links and suggestions below systematically and calmly, you will have no difficulty in setting up your sharing. ... Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused by 1) a misconfigured firewall; or 2) inadvertently running two firewalls such as the built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party firewall; and/or 3) not having identical user accounts and passwords on all Workgroup machines; 4) trying to create shares where the operating system does not permit it. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Access to folders?
    ... Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused by 1) a misconfigured firewall; or 2) inadvertently running two firewalls such as the built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party firewall; and/or 3) not having identical user accounts and passwords on all Workgroup machines; 4) trying to create shares where the operating system does not permit it. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)