Mirroring a folder for a network

Al_B on 6/5/2009 at 21:07

I'm not TB, but until he posts:

* The reason for maybe needing a different username and / or password is to allow you to enter a valid username and password for the machine you're connecting to. You know that the two machines are on the same network, the only people on that network are trusted and that connecting to that machine from the network isn't a problem. Unfortunately, your computer doesn't know that and assumes the worst - that someone on the network is trying to steal your files, emails and (most importantly) music files without you knowing. If you can enter a username and password that the computer with your music on knows about then it will trust you and allow you to listen to your petshop boys collection.
* A software firewall (which includes some anti-virus 'complete internet security' packages) but also includes Windows in-built firewall can block file sharing between your computer and others on the network. As far as I know it's normally an all-or-nothing approach so if you can see some folders over the network but not others then that's probably not the problem.
* The 'map network drives' dialog can be found (from memory) on via the tools / "map network drive" menu item in any XP windows explorer window.
* You can also do a quick check on the file shares on a computer on the network by starting up a command prompt and entering "net view \\<server>". I would be inclined to try it first from the computer with the music and then try it from the other computers on your network if that looks ok. In theory you should be able to open a command prompt on them and enter "net use X: \\<server>\<file share>" (substitute X: for any drive).

I hope the above doesn't come across as condescending - and I know that it may not help. I've had some nasty experiences with windows network file sharing and the amount of feedback you get to diagnose problems can be very limited.

Nameless Voice on 6/5/2009 at 21:43

Quote Posted by fett

NV - Seriously like I'm 5 :laff:(

I'm not that familiar with XP's Simple File Sharing (which is forced on and unavoidable on XP Home), but assuming that you've shared the folder, you should be able to access it either via its icon when browsing that computer on the network, or by typing its name into the address bar.

To access a share from the address bar or Run box, you need to use the format:

\\ComputerName\ShareName

So, for example, if your computer is called Server and your share is called SharedMusic, then you would type \\Server\SharedMusic into the address bar or Start->Run box in order to access the folder. This is also the same path you'd use if you want to map the network drive to a drive letter, via the Map Network Drive option in the Tools menu of any Explorer window.

To find out the name of your computer, open System Properties (Windows Key+Pause/Break) and check the "Computer Name" tab. The computer's name is listed under "Full computer name."

fett on 6/5/2009 at 23:00

Quote Posted by Nameless Voice

Well, I deleted the music folder from the shared folder, and I can still access it with the laptop, so not sure what happened there. I've set the properties to share the entire HD but can't find it via the laptop. Not sure what's happening there either...

bikerdude on 7/5/2009 at 00:03

Quote Posted by fett

Hi Fett

I assume both machines are running Xp..?

As its 1am over here Im too tired to look into this, so if you can wait till tomoz I will fire up Vmware and XpPro and XpHome and then I can talk you though the settings

The Brain on 7/5/2009 at 01:38

Quote Posted by Nameless Voice

You mean \\server\c$
The dollar sign goes at the end of the administrative share.

Oh, oops! :o

You are right, NV! :thumb:

Quote Posted by fett

Brain - that looks like what I need, but you'll have to explain this to me like I'm 5.
...

Well, if you instist then. Just take deep breath and some extra time. This isn't just easy as a walk in the park if you catch what I mean. :ebil:

First I need all information that you can get from both of your computers. Thankfully there is nice little utility which can make this information gathering much easier. Download and install (http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php) PC Wizard into your computers.

Now start PC Wizard in your main computer. When PC Wizard has stopped its initialization process, you should see this screen:

Inline Image:

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8767/pcwizardinitialscreen.png

Click on File-menu and there click on Save as..-menu item.

Now you should see this dialog:

Inline Image:

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2206/pcwizardsaveasdialog.png

Just click on OK-button and in the next dialog give some random or meaningful file name. Remember folder path. Click again OK-button. Now browse to the folder path where you saved that file and doubleclick on it. If you are lucky, Notepad should start and display contents of that doubleclicked file. Copy that text and embed it inside your new post using [noparse]

Code:
[/noparse] and [noparse]

[/noparse] tags.

Repeat this procedure on your laptop, too.

Quote Posted by fett

...
Also, yes - both machines have identical OS, SP's, and access info. Why do I need to use a different un/pass to do this? I'm behind both a firewall and a router, so I feel relatively safe allowing access between the machines on my network.

Like Al_B wrote in his post, Windows XP in your main computer might want you to give same user name and password as you gave them on first logon on your mains whenever you try to access different shared folder from your laptop which isn't that the global shared one. It seems that there is definately problems in accounts and permissions.

Is that firewall you are using software one or it is inside your router?

Quote Posted by fett

You mean you can access the shared folder and see now that there is no music folder, right? I think that is normal. If you somehow deleted the shared folder by mistake then it would be another matter.

I apologize if there is some grammar or other odd errors in this post. I'm getting quite tired here. Off to bed!:bored:

bikerdude on 7/5/2009 at 09:16

I havent really read Brains post in any detail, but correct me if Im wrong but dosent Fett just want to share a folder like..?:erm:

The Brain on 7/5/2009 at 12:00

Yep, fett wants share folders but in order to help him I need few minor details from his computers.

Jadon on 8/5/2009 at 06:42

on the computer you want to share the files...
if this hasn't been done already go to control panel>network setup wizard. run through the setup and turn on file and print sharing. also make note of what name you have for your computer and what workgroup you are in (MSHOME or HOME is usually default.) also you most likely should choose the through a gateway option or whatever its called and you might want to write down everything you've chosen too
now that's done.

go to your drive you want to share, right-click on it and select sharing and security. under the network sharing and security section check Share this folder on the network and give it a name. if you want to add or change files remotely (not recommended for security reasons) check the box Allow network users to change my files also.

on the computer you want to be able to see the files remotely...
run your network setup wizard make sure that your your settings are the same as the previously run setup except the computer name, it should be different. also many headaches can be avoided if you make sure that the workgroup is the same.
that part is done.

rebooting both computers at this point may be required so everything plays nice.

open my computer. on the toolbar up top tools>map network drive.... pick a drive letter (any will do). enter in the Folder text field \\<computer hosting name>\<shared folder name>. check reconnect at logon if you want the folder to automatically be available upon reboot.

click the link in Connect using a different user name. here you will enter the user account info needed to access stuff so enter <computer hosting name>\<user name> and then enter the password (if any) hit ok, then finish.

you should now be able to open files on the remote computer via a "virtual" drive (is that the right term?) just like any other drive on that computer (though most likely slower).

note: with a firewall running other than XPs default you will get access questions from the other computer, and vice versa. accept them otherwise things dont go through.

hope this helps fett. any other problems and more info will be needed (like what firewall you're using.)

fett on 9/5/2009 at 13:39

Hey guys - thanks for all the replies! My wife is graduating from nursing school this weekend so I'm swamped right now with family and parties and such. I'll read through these on Monday and see if I can get it working. :thumb:

fett on 1/6/2009 at 14:21

Got it working! Thanks guys - once again, you are all life savers for technically challenged people such as myself. :thumb: