Alias wrote:
> Frankster,
>
> Well that sucks. Is there a way to get around this authentication stuff
> and still be able to access both Program Files and Windows folders on
> local machines?
> "Frankster" wrote:
>
>> When you "access" a drive on the other computer, your *current* logon
>> credentials are passed, in the background. You *must* have the same
>> userID/password combo on both machines in order to pass the
>> authentication (assuming the permissions are set up that way).
>>
>> It is customary to set up each users username/password on each and every
>> computer on a workgroup to share files and printers and such.
>> > I have two computers in a wireless setup.
>> >
>> > machine #1 is the host with router
>> > machine #2 has an adapter sharing internet connection.
>> >
>> > I cannot access the "Program Files" or the "Windows" folders on machine
>> > #2 from machine #1 and vice versa.
>> >
>> > Now here's the strange part: If I create an account on machine #2 with
>> > the
>> > same name as my account on machine #1 then I am able to access those
>> > folders.
There's nothing strange about this. It is the way computer networking works
with operating systems like XP, *nix, Win2k which are designed to be
multi-user and scalable (not Win9x/ME). There has to be some way for the
target computer to authenticate the request for resources. In a domain, the
authentication is kept on the server. In a peer-to-peer network (Workgroups
in the Windows world) the computer getting the request looks locally at who
(username/password) is permitted to access its shared resources. If you are
on the list, you get in.
You didn't say what operating systems you are running, but if XP:
If one or more of the computers is XP Pro:
a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.
b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the Simple
File Sharing enabled.
Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means that
anyone without a user account on the target system can use its resources.
This is a security hole but only you can decide if it matters in your
situation.
Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share folders
inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the Shared
Documents folder.
There is usually no reason to share the Program Files directory because you
can't normally run a program from a remote machine anyway. There is *never*
any reason to share the Windows directory over the network and that would
be very bad practice, even in a home user situation.
If you want to understand more about the mechanics of network sharing,
there's lots of information on the web about it. Here are some links to get
you started:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/..._protocols.htm
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ilesharing.htm (Home)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...ring/index.htm (Pro)
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/myths.htm
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"
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