XP accessing ME

I have a Pentium II 233 w/MMX running Windows ME
connected to a Sony Vaio Notebook 1 GHz
AMD Athlon through a Microsoft Router/Base Station. I
have almost everything working, but the ME machine is
unable to open a file on the notebook. It can see it, but
is unable to open it. However, the XP notebook has so far
been able to see and open the files on the ME Machine.

I am new to networking, but I figure there's either a
setting I'm missing somewhere, or ME is having trouble
with the XP operating system. I believe the XP uses the
NTFS file format. I am aware there are two formats under
XP and that one of them is more compatible with older
versions of Windows.

www.careyholzman.com/netfixes.htm

Carey

"Ross" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:121b01c3730c$0720fcb0$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have a Pentium II 233 w/MMX running Windows ME
> connected to a Sony Vaio Notebook 1 GHz
> AMD Athlon through a Microsoft Router/Base Station. I
> have almost everything working, but the ME machine is
> unable to open a file on the notebook. It can see it, but
> is unable to open it. However, the XP notebook has so far
> been able to see and open the files on the ME Machine.
>
> I am new to networking, but I figure there's either a
> setting I'm missing somewhere, or ME is having trouble
> with the XP operating system. I believe the XP uses the
> NTFS file format. I am aware there are two formats under
> XP and that one of them is more compatible with older
> versions of Windows.

In article <121b01c3730c$0720fcb0$(E-Mail Removed)>, "Ross"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>I have a Pentium II 233 w/MMX running Windows ME
>connected to a Sony Vaio Notebook 1 GHz
>AMD Athlon through a Microsoft Router/Base Station. I
>have almost everything working, but the ME machine is
>unable to open a file on the notebook. It can see it, but
>is unable to open it. However, the XP notebook has so far
>been able to see and open the files on the ME Machine.
>
>I am new to networking, but I figure there's either a
>setting I'm missing somewhere, or ME is having trouble
>with the XP operating system. I believe the XP uses the
>NTFS file format. I am aware there are two formats under
>XP and that one of them is more compatible with older
>versions of Windows.

There's no problem with file format compatibility between operating
systems. XP reads its own NTFS disk and sends the data to ME over the
network. ME doesn't know, and doesn't care, what format the disk
uses.

How are you trying to get ME to open a file on the XP notebook? What
exactly happens when you do it? What is the complete text of the
error message?
--
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

In article <iXR5b.120046$(E-Mail Removed)>, "Ross
Bolejack" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Okay, apparently, I have to put the files in the shared docs folder on the
>XP notebook, because I can open the files in that folder from the ME
>machine. Before I was going straight to the "C" drive on the notebook and
>the message was couldn't open file whatever --- file whatever doesn't exist
>from a graphics application, but ME's Window's Explorer told me that access
>was denied when I tried to open it that way. Seems like having to take the
>long way around the barn.

The shared docs folder is simply a convenient place to put files that
you want to share with other computers on the network. It isn't the
only place. You can share the entire C drive, and you can share other
folders on the drive.

Exception: if you have Windows XP Home Edition, you can't share these
specific folders: Documents and Settings, Program Files, and Windows.
However, you can share sub-folders within those folders.
--
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

In article <t6U5b.120841$(E-Mail Removed)>, "Ross
Bolejack" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Mike,
>
>As near as I can tell, the files you want your XP machine to share with the
>ME machine have to be placed in the folder "Shared Documents" located on the
>XP machine. It's found under My Computer and then Shared Documents. You just
>have to move or copy whatever files and/or folders to that Shared Documents
>Folder on your XP machine. I still think it's the long way around the barn,
>but who am I to judge? On the ME machine I just went in to My Computer right
>clicked on the hard drive, then left clicked on the word Sharing in the
>pop-up box and checked the sharing button.
>
>I'm not sure this is the best answer, but so far it's the first thing I've
>found that works.
>
>Good luck,
>Ross

No, it's not that restrictive. In XP, you can share the entire C:
drive, and you can share individual folders on the C: drive.

Exception: if you have Windows XP Home Edition, you can't share these
specific folders: Documents and Settings, Program Files, and Windows.

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.
--
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

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news(E-Mail Removed)...
> In article <iXR5b.120046$(E-Mail Removed)>, "Ross
> Bolejack" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >Okay, apparently, I have to put the files in the shared docs folder on
the
> >XP notebook, because I can open the files in that folder from the ME
> >machine. Before I was going straight to the "C" drive on the notebook and
> >the message was couldn't open file whatever --- file whatever doesn't
exist
> >from a graphics application, but ME's Window's Explorer told me that
access
> >was denied when I tried to open it that way. Seems like having to take
the
> >long way around the barn.
>
> The shared docs folder is simply a convenient place to put files that
> you want to share with other computers on the network. It isn't the
> only place. You can share the entire C drive, and you can share other
> folders on the drive.
>
> Exception: if you have Windows XP Home Edition, you can't share these
> specific folders: Documents and Settings, Program Files, and Windows.
> However, you can share sub-folders within those folders.
> --
> Best Wishes,
> Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
>

Steve - XP Home won't let you share 'Documents and Settings' or 'Program
Files'? That does seem like a limitation and its one I never picked up on
in those XP Pro vs Home comparison charts. I guess I jusr missed it. I use
XP Pro on one box at home and I've been contemplating which XP to use on my
other systems to take the place of ME. Can you point me to a MS web page
that discusses other obscure differences between Pro and Home? Thanks.

In article <BQF6b.1162$(E-Mail Removed)>, "port_Zork"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>> The shared docs folder is simply a convenient place to put files that
>> you want to share with other computers on the network. It isn't the
>> only place. You can share the entire C drive, and you can share other
>> folders on the drive.
>>
>> Exception: if you have Windows XP Home Edition, you can't share these
>> specific folders: Documents and Settings, Program Files, and Windows.
>> However, you can share sub-folders within those folders.
>
>Steve - XP Home won't let you share 'Documents and Settings' or 'Program
>Files'? That does seem like a limitation and its one I never picked up on
>in those XP Pro vs Home comparison charts. I guess I jusr missed it. I use
>XP Pro on one box at home and I've been contemplating which XP to use on my
>other systems to take the place of ME. Can you point me to a MS web page
>that discusses other obscure differences between Pro and Home? Thanks.

Windows XP Comparison Guide
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p.../choosing2.asp

Which Edition Is Right for You?
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp

I question item 4 in the second web page that I listed. To the best
of my knowledge, Device Driver Rollback, Last Known Good
Configuration, and System Restore work the same in Home and Pro.
--
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

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> In article <BQF6b.1162$(E-Mail Removed)>, "port_Zork"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >> The shared docs folder is simply a convenient place to put files that
> >> you want to share with other computers on the network. It isn't the
> >> only place. You can share the entire C drive, and you can share other
> >> folders on the drive.
> >>
> >> Exception: if you have Windows XP Home Edition, you can't share these
> >> specific folders: Documents and Settings, Program Files, and Windows.
> >> However, you can share sub-folders within those folders.
> >
> >Steve - XP Home won't let you share 'Documents and Settings' or 'Program
> >Files'? That does seem like a limitation and its one I never picked up
on
> >in those XP Pro vs Home comparison charts. I guess I jusr missed it. I
use
> >XP Pro on one box at home and I've been contemplating which XP to use on
my
> >other systems to take the place of ME. Can you point me to a MS web page
> >that discusses other obscure differences between Pro and Home? Thanks.
>
> Windows XP Comparison Guide
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p.../choosing2.asp
>
> Which Edition Is Right for You?
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp
>
> I question item 4 in the second web page that I listed. To the best
> of my knowledge, Device Driver Rollback, Last Known Good
> Configuration, and System Restore work the same in Home and Pro.
> --
> Best Wishes,
> Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Thanks Steve. Just because I'm dense, could you please show me from the MS
comparisons, where it specifically says that XP Home won't let you share
'Documents and Settings' or 'Program Files'? I'm happy I haven't purchased
Home version if this really is the case. Why on earth would there be a
limitation such as this in the Home version?? And why wouldn't this be
explicitly spelled out somewhere in the comparisons?

In article <gRL6b.1756$(E-Mail Removed)>, "port_Zork"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>> Windows XP Comparison Guide
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p.../choosing2.asp
>>
>> Which Edition Is Right for You?
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp
>>
>> I question item 4 in the second web page that I listed. To the best
>> of my knowledge, Device Driver Rollback, Last Known Good
>> Configuration, and System Restore work the same in Home and Pro.
>
>Thanks Steve. Just because I'm dense, could you please show me from the MS
>comparisons, where it specifically says that XP Home won't let you share
>'Documents and Settings' or 'Program Files'? I'm happy I haven't purchased
>Home version if this really is the case. Why on earth would there be a
>limitation such as this in the Home version?? And why wouldn't this be
>explicitly spelled out somewhere in the comparisons?

I sympathize with you, port_Zork. In my opinion, Microsoft did a
terrible job of designing, implementing, and documenting network file
sharing in Windows XP Home Edition.

I can't find an accurate description of the folder sharing restriction
anywhere. These web pages describe it, but they don't indicate that
you can overcome the restriction in XP Pro by disabling simple file
sharing:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...ilesharing.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/h...ur_folders.asp

The restriction is documented in the Windows XP Home Edition. Click
Start | Help and Support, type "share a drive or folder on the
network" in the Search box, click the right arrow, and click the topic
of the same name.

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.

You can re-install XP Home Edition on a FAT or FAT32 disk partition
to remove the 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.

I've heard of two possible ways to remove the restrictions for XP Home
Edition on an NTFS disk partition. Before I give them, I want to
emphasize these points:

1. They're un-supported, un-documented, and un-tested.

2. There's no guarantee that they'll work.

3. They might cause data loss or corruption.

4. Microsoft and your computer manufacturer probably won't offer
technical support if they cause problems.

5. Don't blame me if they cause problems. I warned you.

If you want to try them, at your own risk, back up your important data
first, and run System Restore to create a restore point that you can
go back to in case of problems.

OK. With those danger signs flashing and alarm bells ringing, here
they are:

1. Start Windows XP in "Safe Mode with Networking" (which temporarily
disables "Simple File Sharing"), share the desired folder(s), set the
permissions, and reboot normally.

2. Follow the procedure shown here:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_home_sectab.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 - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

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