Simple Network Q - How to access/transfer files between PCs

[psychy]

OK, i have 3 pcs and 1 laptop at home.

1 of the PC is the main rig connected to the WAP via LAN.
Everything else is connected wirelessly, through the WAP.

TCP/IP is configured so that everything has internet.

Now i want to be able to access files on different machines, transfer files, edit etc etc. How do i do this??

I was taught to use this command in a browser:
//computer name/directory$

I've tried this but it requires a guest password....even though guest login is disabled or enabled.

Clearly, i have not set up any of the computers to be able to log into each other and transfer files....

Can someone explain how??

Thanks
steve

[killie99]

before you embark on file sharing, read this before letting the whole world have access to your stuff!

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...beui.htm#HowTo

[KermitTheFrog]

Steve,

The problem you are getting I've found it when the Workgroup is different, and using different versions of Windows (assuming windows).

You can test connectivity (ie not name look up) but typing the IP address instead of the computer name.

For example \\192.168.1.1\c$

Note that $ shares (folders) existing only for the drives by default. I would suggest also making a test area Shared out to everyone.

Hope that is of help?

Matt

PS Try doing Start, Run, \\192.168.1.1 <ENTER> will show all visible shares (not $s)

[psychy]

Hi Matt,

All the systems are using WinXP SP2 and all the workgroups are the same name.

Tried typing in the ip address in the browser but it times out without finding anything.

The Run method says cant find network path??


Any other suggestions??

[KermitTheFrog]

Can you ping each device? Also when you mentioned WAP - you don't mean mobile comms do you? Is it WPA wireless security?

PS I've also noticed when using Norton Firewall it stops any machines seeing each other - if you have that try disbaling it for a couple of minutes and trying again.

[psychy]

I can ping each device fine

WAP is the wireless access point, using 128bit WEP security.

Norton firewall is off.....nowt difference.

Grrr....annoying me!!

[Paul Adams]

...I've tried this but it requires a guest password....even though guest login is disabled or enabled.

Most likely "simple file sharing", check out this KB for instructions on disabling it.

[psychy]

I've just disabled "simple file sharing".....ok, it allows me to enter username and password....but i doesn't recognise it. I know it's the correct one.

[Paul Adams]

I've just disabled "simple file sharing".....ok, it allows me to enter username and password....but i doesn't recognise it. I know it's the correct one.

For the target machine?
Without a domain you are using user accounts on the machine you are accessing, not your locally logged on user credentials.
Most common trick is to use impersonation, where you set up the same username & password combination on both/all machines so it can work seamlessly.

Of course you also need to verify that user account has permissions to access the network share ("Sharing" tab) and the NTFS permissions ("Security" tab) - you have to pass both tests to be able to see anything.

[psychy]

For the target machine?
Without a domain you are using user accounts on the machine you are accessing, not your locally logged on user credentials.
Most common trick is to use impersonation, where you set up the same username & password combination on both/all machines so it can work seamlessly.

Of course you also need to verify that user account has permissions to access the network share ("Sharing" tab) and the NTFS permissions ("Security" tab) - you have to pass both tests to be able to see anything.

On all machines.....

I did create impersonations on all machines....still could'nt log on.
Sharing is enabled.


OK...if i was to start all over again.....what shouldi do?

-I'll set the TCP/IP details so that everything communicates with each other.
Therefore every device has internet.

- Then enable share on the directories of each machine

- Then....???

[Paul Adams]

Assuming a working TCP/IP setup (machines have a static or DHCP IP address and are in the same subnet and workgroup):

On all clients:
- Enable "Client for Microsoft Networks" on all machines (properties of the network adapter)

- Disable "Simple File Sharing" (Explorer option under Tools / Advanced)

- Create a user account on each machine using the same name and password


On clients which are going to be accessed by other clients:
- Ensure "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" is enabled (properties of the network adapter)

- Ensure the Windows Firewall has an exception for "File and Printer Sharing" if it is active (properties of the network adapter - Advanced / Settings / Exceptions)

- If using a 3rd party firewall, follow the necessary steps to trust the machines on the LAN, at least for SMB file access

- Right-click on the folder to share, select "Sharing and Security"
-> "Sharing" tab: check "Share this folder", click Permissions, remove Everyone and add the user(s) which need access and give them the minimum level of rights
-> "Security" tab: add the user(s) which need access and give them the minimum level of rights


To test, go into Network Neighbourhood on a client and browse your workgroup, then try to access one of the machines with a shared resource.
- Do you get prompted to authenticate?
- If so, what happens if you attempt to authenticate using the common username/password? ("it doesn't work" is not a detailed enough answer!)

It should present you with the resource(s) on the machine which are shared without a '$' on the end, and grant you access when you double-click them.


Troubleshooting:
What error comes up when you try to access through Network Neighbourhood?

If you open a command prompt and type "net view \\clientname" (where "clientname" is the name of the machine you want to browse), do you get prompted to authenticate?
What is the output if you try to authenticate with the common account?

Reboot all the machines to ensure you haven't got some cached credentials causing you grief.

[psychy]

Thanks so much Paul.
Gonna try it out now.

Cheers!



Damn it! Problem encountered at first obstacle...

-no drivers could be found when i when to install "client for MS Network".
(i'm selecting 'service' as opposed to 'client'/'protocol' - no drivers in each anyway)

- same thing when installing "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks".

THIS IS WHAT YOU MEAN BY "ENABLING" THEM RIGHT?? OR DO YOU MEAN CHECKING THE BOXES??

[Paul Adams]

In the properties of your network adapter they should just be listed in the box (installed) and ticked (enabled).

[psychy]

ok, they have been ticked....

browsing my network workgroups now. Double clicked on one of the clients (i.e. my laptop), but it won't let me access:

"//laptop is not accessible. Do not have permission...blah blah. Network path not found"

Tried command prompt "net view //laptop"

system error 53
network path not found

[Paul Adams]

Are your machines running the Computer Browser service?

What result do you get if you just type "net view" at the command prompt?

Note, you keep typing '//' but it is important to use '\\' when referring to SMB names.

[psychy]

what is Computer Browser service?

When i type "net view" into my laptop and main rig (called psychy):

Laptop:
\\laptop command completed successfully

Main Rig:
\\laptop command completed
\\psychy command completed