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Network folder sharing problem

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Ferris1

n00b
Joined
Jun 25, 2005
Messages
20
I have a small home network with a Netgear (FWAG114) router. I have a desktop PC and a home theatre PC each with Windows MCE and a laptop with Windows XP Pro connected in a workgroup. All are wired connections. For some reason only some of the folders on the desktop PC can be accessed from my laptop. Others are fine. If I enable sharing on some folders on the desktop PC, I can see it from my laptop under My Network Places -> Entire Network -> Microsoft Windows Network -> workgroup_name -> computer_name but if I try to open the folder I get error dialog "xxx is not accessible. You may not have permission to use this network resource." I recently built a new desktop computer (before that all my network folders were accessible). I named the computer the same name, same workgroup name, etc. I went from Windows XP Pro to Windows XP Media Center Edition but they are basically the same except for the domain issue. Also, the only difference I can think of between the accessible and inaccessible folders is that the inaccessible folders are on my main C:\ drive which is now a RAID 0 configuration consisting of two SATA drives (it was a standard IDE drive). Should that matter? Is there some place on my laptop where information about my networked desktop PC is located where it might be confused with the old PC drive structure? Can I delete all the information about my desktop PC and reset it by searching the network?
I have run the Network setup wizard several times. I have set permissions both with and without simple file sharing. Both computers can access the Internet. Both computers can access my HTPC. I can access the desktop PC with Remote Desktop and radmin.
Please let me know if you need further information. At this point, I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Ferris1
 
Couple of things. You mentioned "the domain issue" You started by saying your in a workgroup. I assume the first statement was correct but clarify if your actually running a windows domain controller in this mix. There is no domain if you are not.

I would definitely run the Pro box with simple file sharing turned off. Much better user/security managment using NTFS permissions (the security tab on folders and files) that share permissions. However, if you want to eliminate the user issue, then just open the shares up wide open to start and then start locking it down. Everyone permission with full control on Share permission tab and Security tab. Once that is done, leave everyone open in the share permissions tab, and start adding your accounts on the NTFS/Security tab box. Giving appropriate permissions for the users you add.
 
Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, I am using a workgroup. I meant I did not have a domain issue because I was not using a domain.
Everything with my laptop using XP Pro is just fine. The problem is accessing folders on the C:\ drive of my Win MCE desktop. I can't even go into the SharedDocs folder on the desktop PC.
 
I am not that familiar with Windows MCE. Is is like Home where you cannot disable simple file sharing? How are both machines setup right now? Easy way to check is if you have a Security tab on your shares. Shares should be: Share permissions - Everyone Full Control, then lock down with NTFS permissions, the security tab, adding users and rights as you see fit.
 
Windows MCE is pretty much the same as XP Pro with some minor differences (ie. cannot join a domain). You can disable simple file sharing. I do have a security tab. It might have something to do with my RAID 0 (two SATA drives) configuration. I created a new folder in the root of my C:\ drive, placed a simple text file in it, and then allowed sharing and full control for everyone. No luck--the folder showed up when looking from laptop but I could not access it. The I did the same thing on my D:\ drive (single SATA drive) and I could access the folder and file just fine. I don't know if you have any experience with RAID setups. This is my first time using a RAID configuration. I know I had to install a bunch of special drivers when first setting up the computer in order to get the system to recognize the drives as one. Do I have to install some drivers on my laptop so it can recognize a RAID configuration on a LAN? That doesn't sound right to me but I don't know.
 
No, RAID doesn't, or I guess I'll qualify that and say RAID shouldn't, have nothing to do with the problem you describe. Windows just sees it as volumes. Remember most restrictive wins. Check your security tab on the share your having problems with.
 
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