Accessing Shared Windows Folders

[pjrobertson]

I've set up my XP machine to share it's hard drive (all folders) but there are still some parts I can't seem to get at (such as Application Data)

Is this a Windows security thing, not letting me get at the 'important' files or is it just a matter of ticking a box?
I have gone round and shared nearly every folder individually, but this doesn't seem to solve the problem (sharing without write privileges, would this cause a problem?).

Also, as the use on my XP machine doesn't have a password, whenever I try to log into my XP account (from MAC OS X - Leopard) I can only ever be a 'guest'

Any help?

Thanks

 

[walnuts]

You know, I think in general leopard's implementation of sharing windows folders is buggy at best. We tried accessing our work windows servers with two separate macbooks running leopard with similar results. They would connect (using a login and password), and then randomly disconnect. After disconnecting, it would be impossible to reconnect (it would simply say "connection failed", with no explanation.) It was quite frustrating and I almost lost some work as I had been working on a word document over the server.

 

[pjrobertson]

hmm...I'm not having any disconnect problems, just unable to get at the files I want to.

I'll post back after 10.5.2 is released to see if that sorts the problem.

Still, anybody else have any ideas?

 

[Bobbi Flekman]

I've set up my XP machine to share it's hard drive (all folders) but there are still some parts I can't seem to get at (such as Application Data)

Is this a Windows security thing, not letting me get at the 'important' files or is it just a matter of ticking a box?
I have gone round and shared nearly every folder individually, but this doesn't seem to solve the problem (sharing without write privileges, would this cause a problem?).

Yes, this is a "Windows security thing". By default in Windows XP you are using Simple Sharing which basically means that others don't have access to your private folders. Are you using Home? Or Pro? Instead of changing permissions the easiest thing would be to move the files/folders you want to give access to to a shared folder. More difficult would be (if you're on Pro) to change the permissions model to "not be Simple Shared", and give access to whoever you want. Be aware that this would mean that everyone that fits the bill has those access permissions.

 

[pjrobertson]

Thanks Bobbi Flekman for explaining Windows

Unfortunately I'm on XP Home, and there's no way that I'll be able to move the files....as it's the 'Application Data' folder that I'm really after (it's where a stupid pic organiser stores the photos) and the folders constantly changing (new pic being added etc)

I'll have a look at this 'simple file sharing' thing. Is there any hope with XP Home?

 

[RemarkabLee]

Thanks Bobbi Flekman for explaining Windows

Unfortunately I'm on XP Home, and there's no way that I'll be able to move the files....as it's the 'Application Data' folder that I'm really after (it's where a stupid pic organiser stores the photos) and the folders constantly changing (new pic being added etc)

I'll have a look at this 'simple file sharing' thing. Is there any hope with XP Home?

How to turn off simple file sharing
To disable simple file sharing, follow these steps:1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
3. In the Advanced Settings section, clear the Use simple file sharing (Recommended) check box.
4. Click OK.

Then you should be able to share the whole C drive, or just the Documents and Settings folder

 

[pjrobertson]

I'll try that now.

EDIT:
Doesn't work in XP Home, after googling it I found this...

Sometimes, you might want to change the security or permissions on a folder in Windows XP Home Edition. You will right click on the folder and select Properties, and under the Security tab you might expect to see something like you would see in Windows 2000 - a list of Users and checkboxes for Allow and Deny. However, you won't see this, because Windows XP uses something called "Simple File Sharing." You can disable it in XP Professional, but not XP Home. Windows XP Home Edition was not designed for high security networking. It was designed for standalone workstations and home based Workgroup configurations.Fear not, there is a way around this (even if it is tedious).

It involves booting into safe mode, but that's not too hard.

 

[Bobbi Flekman]

Windows XP Home in Safe Mode isn't the answer either, as most logically this would mean no network connections. You can start in Safe Mode With Networking though, but that will introduce other vulnerabilities.

In Safe Mode many protections will not be loaded, so running in Safe Mode with a network connection would mean you are wide open to everyone and everything that wants to snoop around on your hard disc.

If this is the way you want to go then at leat yank out the connection to the Internet as that would keep them out while you are doing the copying.

On the other hand, wouldn't it be easier to copy the files and folders you want on your Mac to the Drop Box of the Mac account?