LAN users can't copy files!?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pedro Albondiga
  • Start date Start date
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Pedro Albondiga

Why can't I copy a file from another computer on my LAN?

I have a folder on my XP Pro computer ("Computer A") with files I
often want to copy to a different computer on my LAN ("Computer B").

When I am using computer A, I can copy the files to computer B. But
when I am at computer B and want to get files from computer A, I
always get an "access is denied" message.

Any ideas on how to fix this?

maybe this has something to do with it:

When I look at the folder attributes the "read only" is blocked (not
checked). I try to clear it but when I return it is always blocked
out again.

Thanks for any help!
Pete
 
Thanks Walter! How can I find out how to explicitly permit the
network users to acces the files? Sorry I'm a bit of a newb.

Computer A uses a password. Computer B (on the LAN) does not.

Also, does it matter that the data is in a folder that is mapped as a
network drive on Computer B?

-Pete
 
Whether the directory is mapped or not is largely irrelevant. However that
last question makes things a bit muddy. This'll be tricky to do without
graphics (and I haven't pushed any of this to a web site yet) but there's a
few other things I need to know specifically and some general comments.

What OS is running on the B machine?
Are you trying to create a share on both machines or just one?
On the XP machine have you disabled simple file sharing? Knowing how this is
set is critical since it's central to setting permissions, if need be, since
authentication on Pro is different when simple file sharing is enabled as
opposed to disabled.

Now it's pick apart time so I have an idea of the topology involved. :-)

On the Pro machine (A), you said you have no issues copying data to
\\BMachine\Directory?
However on the B machine you can not access data on \\AMachine\Directory?
Can you successfully map the drive?

On a Pro box with simple file sharing enabled you can successfully share
directories with a different machine running blank passwords as long as the
default permissions on a network share haven't been tinkered with. By the
same token, if permissions are set correctly it's possible to create a
network share on a Pro box with blank passwords on the other machines on the
network, but it's not a configuration that I generally recommend. With
simple file sharing disabled, it's more manageable and secure to create
users on each machine with the same name and password. In this manner it's
possible to actually specify on a Pro machine who on the LAN may access
what and in what manner.

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp
 
See comments/answers below:

Walter Clayton said:
Whether the directory is mapped or not is largely irrelevant. However that
last question makes things a bit muddy. This'll be tricky to do without
graphics (and I haven't pushed any of this to a web site yet) but there's a
few other things I need to know specifically and some general comments.

What OS is running on the B machine?
Click to expand...

XP Home
Are you trying to create a share on both machines or just one?
Click to expand...

What I want to do is let a program on the XP Home machine go to a
directory on the XP Pro machine, and then make an exact copy directory
back on the XP Home machine. (I am using a program called FileBack
PC).
On the XP [PRO] machine have you disabled simple file sharing?
Click to expand...

I have not, but I will do it if necessary.
Knowing how this is
set is critical since it's central to setting permissions, if need be, since
authentication on Pro is different when simple file sharing is enabled as
opposed to disabled.

Now it's pick apart time so I have an idea of the topology involved. :-)

On the Pro machine (A), you said you have no issues copying data to
\\BMachine\Directory?
Yes.

However on the B machine you can not access data on \\AMachine\Directory?
Click to expand...

I can get to the files but I cannot copy them. No, wait! I just
tried copying a different file and that worked. I tried FileBack PC
again and that didn't work, but I set up the procedure from scratch
and this time it worked. Strange!
Can you successfully map the drive?
Yes.

On a Pro box with simple file sharing enabled you can successfully share
directories with a different machine running blank passwords as long as the
default permissions on a network share haven't been tinkered with. By the
same token, if permissions are set correctly it's possible to create a
network share on a Pro box with blank passwords on the other machines on the
network, but it's not a configuration that I generally recommend. With
simple file sharing disabled, it's more manageable and secure to create
users on each machine with the same name and password. In this manner it's
possible to actually specify on a Pro machine who on the LAN may access
what and in what manner.
Click to expand...

OK I'm not sure what's going on. The Pro box has a password and maybe
something weird was going on there. Yesterday from my XP Home machine
I couldn't even manually go and copy files off my XP Pro machine, and
today I can. If it stops working again I'll re-post.

Any idea where I can find a manual on this stuff? I tried "Help and
Support" in XP Pro but couldn't find anything.


Thanks again Walter!
 
Well I rebooted the the XP Home machine again and I *couldn't*
manually copy files from the XP Pro machine again. But then I re-ran
the FileBack PC program and that program *could* copy the files.

I guess that when it is working correctly, the FileBack PC program
uses the XP Pro machine's username and password (that I had given the
program awhile back) to get in and copy the files.

So any idea how I can set my XP Home boxes (I have a few) on the LAN
to always be able to get in and access XP Pro files?

-Pete
 
In another strange update, I've noticed that I still cannot copy
recent DriveImage files to my XP Home machine from the XP Pro machine
(when I am at the XP Home machine). Older files are no problem. I
just don't understand this. I get the 'access denied' message with
the new ones.
 
It's sounds like permissions are being altered, possibly by one of the
applications you're using. Shouldn't be happening without your knowledge,
but there are some applications that make large assumptions.

Your best option may very well be to disable simple file sharing on the Pro
box and manually handle permissions. Optimally, it helps but it's not
required, if you start using passwords on all the machines. Note that you
can only disable simple file sharing on the Pro machine though. Your HE
machines will continue to use simple file sharing, but they appear to be
working correctly.

Several things to do. First, on the Pro machine disable simple file sharing
(control panel->folder options->view tab; last option should be unchecked).
Once you've done this (no reboot required), you can now set permissions to
data at the user level. This requires that the Pro machine have user
profiles setup using the same name and password as is being used on the HE
boxes. In other words if you're logging on to your HE machines using name
"Joe" with password "Jane", then simply create an account on the Pro machine
using the same name and password. You do not need to actually log into the
Pro box with that name and password. The presence of the account is
sufficient. With simple file sharing disabled the Pro machine will ask for
the name and password for every machine that logs into it via the LAN. As
long as there is an account on the Pro machine that matches, all is well.

Next, launch explorer and navigate to the directory you want shared. Right
click the directory and click on sharing and security (or properties and go
to the sharing tab). You should now see a permissions button. Hit that. Now
is when it gets interesting and when you need to be careful. Since you've
been running with simple file sharing enabled, the group "Everyone" should
be shown as having read access. That's fine for right now and harmless as
long as no one hacks your network externally (think firewall if you're not
running one at present). You can remove users, alter permissions or add
users as you need. Be careful about setting deny permissions since they take
precedence and will override and allows. Regardless it sounds like what you
need do is add the HE users (that you created before now on the Pro machine
via the user control panel applet) to this list. Easiest way is to let the
system do some of the work (this will make sense as you go through the
process). Hit the add button. Hit the advanced button. Hit Find Now. This
will list all users and user groups on the Pro machine. Simply select one
(or more by holding ctrl at the same time as you click) users then hot the
OK button. This will close the search window. Hit OK one more time and the
user(s) is(are) now in the permissions list. Set the access rights as you
like then hit apply.

This should put you back in control over what's going on.

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp
 
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