Sharing files on network

Question

Hi,   I have managed to set up a wireless network for my two Dell computers, with the help of this forum (thanks very much). The problem I have is that although I can look at the files for two of our users on both computers, the files belonging to the other two users do not have permissions on the second computer. I can't understand this because I set up the file sharing for all users at the same time, so why are they different? Can anyone help? Both are running XP Home, and I am using the windows firewall.

MRF4700 · Answer

keeled100 Try disabling the firewall to see if your problem goes away. If it does? You probably need to reconfigure it to accept network traffic. If your running XP Home Service Pack 2? You'll need to enable the file sharing in the firewall settings menu.

jmwills · Answer

The SP2 firewall is preconfigured for sharing.  Is there a third party firewall running?  Only the Documents and Settings folder contents can be shared in XP Home

keeled100 · Answer

Thanks for trying to help. I did have a Trend micro firewall running, but I have disabled it to get file sharing to work. Now file sharing half works (ie works on half my users), which seems odd. The other thing which is strange is that I initially tried sharing the whole of the C drive, but then I changed my mind and removed the permissions, but yet the C drive still appears in My Network Places, although I can't actually get into it from the other computer.

I wonder if I should try booting in Safe Mode as in Paladin's reply to 'how to uncheck "make this folder private" message on 10-19-2005?

Boot into Safe Mode. Use Windows Explorer to navigate to the user name folder within the Documents and Settings folder and open its Properties. Click the Security tab. Click Add for Group or user names and add in the Everyone object name. Click OK. Make sure the Everyone group is highlighted and then check the Full Control checkbox. Click OK. Reboot in normal mode. The user name folder in Documents and Settings is no longer private.

Paladin

I know nothing about safe mode, so I only want to try if it is possible this might work. What do you think?

_Paladin · Answer

keeled100,

I doubt you have a firewall issue. Firewalls just aren't that granular to care about users. The C drive share will eventually disappear from My Network Places. Or you can manually remove it by right clicking on the name and selecting delete.

There is no harm in booting into Safe Mode. Safe Mode loads only a minimal complement of software and drivers, but otherwise it is still Windows XP. Screen resolution will be down to 640x480 and only 16 colors, which is normal. In WinXP Home Edition (and XP Pro running in Simple File Sharing mode) the Security tab for a folder's properties can only be accessed in Safe Mode.

Give it a try.

keeled100 · Answer

Thanks Paladin, a partial sucess, one more user is working on the network, and only one now to go! Is there anything else I could try?  It is so helpful having experts on hand.

_Paladin · Answer

keeled100,

I can only suggest you go back into Safe Mode and double check the changes you made. Since the PC has 4 users, make sure you log on to the user you want to change. Then start Windows Explorer and check the security settings. The "Everyone" group must be spelled exactly. Make sure you have Full Control selected. You can use the Advanced button on the Security tab window to view additional permission settings. Make sure the settings for the user that is still not working match the users that are.

keeled100 · Answer

Thank you for your help Paladin.

I have gone back into safe mode and looked at all the security settings. I have found a difference in the user that is not working but I don't know how to change it.

Documents properties

Security Tag

Advanced

Allow Everyone Full Control not inherited

Allow User1 Full Control C:/Documents a...

Allow System Full Control C:/Documents a...

But the user which is not working says

Allow Everyone Full Control not inherited

Allow User2 Full Control Parent Object

Allow System Full Control Parent Object

I don't know how to change Parent Object to C:/Documents a....

I have tried the Edit button but I can't see how to proceed. Do you have any ideas for me please?

_Paladin · Answer

keeled100,

We're in uncharted territory here, but here are some suggestions: boot into Safe Mode and logon on as The Administrator, not just an account with administrator authority. Open the Properties of the User2 folder and select the Security tab. Remove the User2 and SYSTEM user names and click the Apply button. Once removed, add User2 and SYSTEM back, giving each Full Control and then click Apply. Then click the Advanced tab. All 3 user names should appear in the Permission entries box and their permissions should indicate: Permission = Full Control; Inherited from = ; and Apply to = This folder, subfolder and files. OK out and restart in normal mode.

Another option would be to logon in normal mode to User2, unshare the User2 folder, restart in normal mode, logon as User2 and then create the share again, thereby completely rebuilding the share, in theory.

And a third option, probably if all else fails, would be to open Control > User Accounts and remove User2 and all User2's files, restart in normal mode, add User2 back and share the folder again.

If User2 has any critical data, make a copy of it either on different media or in a completely separate folder in the root folder, before starting any of these suggestions.

keeled100 · Answer

Solved !! I tried your first idea, and User2 had disappeared completely from the second computer when I had finished. So then I tried idea 2 and it all works. Thanks very much Paladin, brilliant.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Sharing files on network

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