WinXP Networking Issue

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steve B
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Steve B

I have two computers. My comp is WinXP Pro. The second
computer is WinXP Home. They share the internet cable
internet connection through the Linksys DSL/Cable
Router. That is also how my two computers are connected
together. I used the Networking Wizard on both
machines. I got the basic network setup to where I can
share files between the two computers with the Shared
Files Folder that comes with WinXP. The issue is I would
like to view ALL FILES on the other machine through my
computer and use programs on that machine through my
computer. I tried sharing the C: Drive on the other
computer. I can see it in My Network Places. However, I
can only go into some of the folders. I try to click on
Program Files Folder or Windows Folder. I get a message
saying I don't have permission to access that resource.
I would like FULL ACCESS to that machine through my
computer. Run progs, access all files, etc. I don't
know how to set it up though. Can someone help me out
please! Or at least point me to a page that gives me
step by step instructions on how to accomplish that.
Thanks.
 
"Steve B" said:
I have two computers. My comp is WinXP Pro. The second
computer is WinXP Home. They share the internet cable
internet connection through the Linksys DSL/Cable
Router. That is also how my two computers are connected
together. I used the Networking Wizard on both
machines. I got the basic network setup to where I can
share files between the two computers with the Shared
Files Folder that comes with WinXP. The issue is I would
like to view ALL FILES on the other machine through my
computer and use programs on that machine through my
computer. I tried sharing the C: Drive on the other
computer. I can see it in My Network Places. However, I
can only go into some of the folders. I try to click on
Program Files Folder or Windows Folder. I get a message
saying I don't have permission to access that resource.
I would like FULL ACCESS to that machine through my
computer. Run progs, access all files, etc. I don't
know how to set it up though. Can someone help me out
please! Or at least point me to a page that gives me
step by step instructions on how to accomplish that.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but that's how Windows XP works when it's installed on an
NTFS disk partition using "Simple File Sharing". It doesn't allow
sharing the Documents and Settings, Program Files, or Windows folders.
I don't know why Microsoft designed it that way.

You can share subfolders within those folders, e.g. you can share
"C:\Program Files\Outlook Express" and access that folder from another
computer on the network.

In Windows XP Professional, you can permanently disable Simple File
Sharing, which removes those sharing restrictions:

1. Open My Computer and click Tools | Folder Options | View.
2. Scroll to the end of the advanced settings.
3. Un-check "Use simple file sharing (recommended).

In Windows XP Home Edition, there's no easy solution.

The safest thing is to share individual subfolders, as mentioned
above.

You can re-install the operating system on a FAT or FAT32 disk
partition -- those disk formats don't have any sharing restrictions.
However, that would lose the benefits of NTFS, which is more reliable
and efficient and can use larger disks. You'd also need to re-install
all of your applications.

Another possible solution is to start up in "Safe Mode with
Networking" (which temporarily disables "Simple File Sharing"), share
the desired folder(s), set the necessary permissions, and reboot
normally. However, this is an "unsupported" configuration, which
means that:

1. It's not documented.

2. Microsoft doesn't recommend doing it and hasn't tested it.

3. Microsoft and your computer manufacturer probably won't offer
technical support if it causes problems.

4. While it seems to work OK in my own limited testing, I can't
guarantee that it won't cause problems.

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

1. Back up all of your important data (to another computer, Zip drive,
CD-R, etc) 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.

3. Start XP Home in "Safe Mode with Networking" as shown here:

A Description of the Safe Mode Boot Options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315222

4. Right click the desired folder, click Sharing and Security, and
share the folder.

5. Click the Permissions button to specify network access permissions,
and click the Security tab to specify NTFS file system permissions. A
user needs both types of permission in order to access the share. For
details of how to set permissions, see this web site:

Windows XP Professional File Sharing
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm
--
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
 
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