IPC$ password connecting Win98 to XP - a solution

Many seem to come across this dilema when trying to
connect a Win98 box to a share on an XP box. I believe I
have found the simple solution. At least it was my
solution for the same problem.

XP uses the Guest account for Win9x boxes to connect to
shared resources. If the Guest account is disabled it
will ask the Win9x user for an IPC$ password. If it is
enabled and has been given a password, this is the
password to use. Setting the Guest account to a blank
password will allow the 9x box to connect without any
prompt. The Client for MS Networks does not have to be
used, Windows Logon will work if you do not want a network
logon prompt on the 9x box.

Win2k and XP machines do not use the guest account which
is why they can connect if it is disabled.

Hope this helps some of you...
Keep on clickin'
Robin

"Robin Ptasiuk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in news:079901c365eb$16af4110
$(E-Mail Removed):

> Many seem to come across this dilema when trying to
> connect a Win98 box to a share on an XP box. I believe I
> have found the simple solution. At least it was my
> solution for the same problem.
>
> XP uses the Guest account for Win9x boxes to connect to
> shared resources. If the Guest account is disabled it
> will ask the Win9x user for an IPC$ password. If it is
> enabled and has been given a password, this is the
> password to use. Setting the Guest account to a blank
> password will allow the 9x box to connect without any
> prompt.

As well as anyone else who tries. This is very insecure. At least you
should setup a user account that is the same on both computers.

The Client for MS Networks does not have to be
> used, Windows Logon will work if you do not want a network
> logon prompt on the 9x box.
>
> Win2k and XP machines do not use the guest account which
> is why they can connect if it is disabled.
>
> Hope this helps some of you...
> Keep on clickin'
> Robin
>

In article <079901c365eb$16af4110$(E-Mail Removed)>, "Robin Ptasiuk"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Many seem to come across this dilema when trying to
>connect a Win98 box to a share on an XP box. I believe I
>have found the simple solution. At least it was my
>solution for the same problem.
>
>XP uses the Guest account for Win9x boxes to connect to
>shared resources. If the Guest account is disabled it
>will ask the Win9x user for an IPC$ password. If it is
>enabled and has been given a password, this is the
>password to use. Setting the Guest account to a blank
>password will allow the 9x box to connect without any
>prompt. The Client for MS Networks does not have to be
>used, Windows Logon will work if you do not want a network
>logon prompt on the 9x box.
>
>Win2k and XP machines do not use the guest account which
>is why they can connect if it is disabled.
>
>Hope this helps some of you...
>Keep on clickin'
>Robin

Thanks for posting that, Robin. I think that it will help a lot of
people.

I'd like to add a some notes:

1. Windows XP Home Edition always uses the Guest account for access
over a network. Windows XP Professional does too, by default, in a
workgroup. In a domain, or if you disable simple file sharing in a
workgroup, XP Professional acts differently.

2. You can go to Control Panel | User Accounts, click the Guest
account, and click "Turn off the Guest Account". This has no effect
on access over a network. It simply prevents anyone from logging in
as Guest at the local keyboard.

3. You can disable the Guest account, blocking access to XP Home over
a network:

a. Go to a command prompt.
b. Enter "net user guest /active:no

If you've found another way to do it, please describe it in the news
group.
--
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 - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm