Can't view Windows & Program Files folders over network

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Guest

Setup is a 2 computer network. One system running WinXP home SP1 and the
other running XP Pro SP0. User profiles on both systems have Administrator
priveleges. Network was set up using the XP network wizard.

These 2 computers were networking fine but now I've rebuilt the XP home
system and reinstalled XP Home (I didn't change the XP Pro system). On the
old XP Home install I never had any trouble sharing an entire drive so that
I could have access to everything. On this new install though WinXP Home isn
't allowing me to share out everything on it's hard drive. For example, from
the XP Pro computer I can't view the XP Home's "Program Files" or "Windows"
directories without getting a "do not have permissions" message. I can view
most other folders just fine.

On the XP Home computer, if I RMB on either the Program Files or Windows
folder => Sharing & security I get a little message at the bottom saying
that "All the options on this tab are disabled because this folder is used
by the operating system".

So, how can I gain access to these folders like I had before? The XP Home
system can see the XP Pro's Program Files & Windows folders just fine so the
problem isn't 2-way.

Thanks.

MechMan
 
Ok, just remembered something. The old install format was FAT32 and the new
install is NTFS. Could this be the problem? If so how do I get around it?

MechMan
 
This is for XP. I don't know if it applies to both NTFS and FAT32, but....

On page:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/itpro/managing/filesharing.asp

It says:
Note: The Sharing option is not available for the Documents and Settings,
Program Files, and Windows system folders. In addition, you cannot share
folders in other users' profiles.



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Ok, just remembered something. The old install format was FAT32 and the new
install is NTFS. Could this be the problem? If so how do I get around it?

MechMan
Click to expand...

Yes, NTFS is the problem. When installed on an NTFS disk partition,
XP Home doesn't allow sharing the Documents and Settings, Program
Files, or Windows folders. However, you can share subfolders within
those folders.

I've heard of two possible solutions. Before I give them, I want to
emphasize that:

1. They're un-supported, un-documented, and un-tested.

2. There's no guarantee that they'll work.

3. They might cause data loss or corruption.

4. Microsoft and your computer manufacturer probably won't offer
technical support if they cause problems.

5. Don't blame me if they cause problems. I warned you.

If you want to try them, at your own risk:

1. Back up all of your important data first so that you can restore it
in case of problems.

2. Run System Restore to create a restore point that you can go back
to in case of problems.

OK. With those danger signs flashing and alarm bells ringing, here
they are:

1. Start Windows XP in "Safe Mode with Networking" (which temporarily
disables "Simple File Sharing"), share the desired folder(s), set the
permissions, and reboot normally, or:

2. Follow the procedure shown here:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_home_sectab.htm
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Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
Thanks Steve. I'll have to consider whether or not to try it but at least I
finally have a cause to my problem. If I'd known this was going to be such
an issue I wouldn't have used NTFS and stayed with FAT32. :(

MechMan
 
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