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PC - 27 Apr 2005 22:59 GMT

I have 3 computers set up with a home network. I can see all my shared files
in My Network Places, and I can click on the file I want, but when I do, (it
requres user name and password), it will not authenticate the file. Any idea
to the solution?

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Pat

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Chuck - 28 Apr 2005 00:06 GMT

>I have 3 computers set up with a home network. I can see all my shared files
>in My Network Places, and I can click on the file I want, but when I do, (it
>requres user name and password), it will not authenticate the file. Any idea
>to the solution?

Pat,

Are you running XP Home, XP Pro, a combination, other? All of this makes a big
difference.

On any XP Pro computer, check to see if Simple File Sharing (Control Panel -
Folder Options - View - Advanced settings) is enabled or disabled. With XP Pro,
you need to have SFS properly set on each computer.

On XP Pro with SFS disabled, check the Local Security Policies (Control Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to "Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

On XP Pro with SFS disabled, if you set the above Local Security Policy to
"Guest only", enable the Guest account, using Start - Run - "cmd" - type "net
user guest /active:yes" in the command window. If "Classic", setup and use a
common non-Guest account on all computers. Whichever account is used, give it
an identical, non-blank password on all computers.

On XP Home, and on XP Pro with Simple File Sharing enabled, make sure that the
Guest account is enabled, on each computer. Enable Guest, with Start - Run -
"cmd", then type "net user guest /active:yes" in the command window. Ensure
that the password for Guest is blank, with Start - Run - "control
userpasswords2"; select Guest, click Reset Password, click OK without entering a
new password.

Remember, with Simple File Sharing, you'll not be able to access "C:\Program
Files", "C:\Windows", or any of the profile related folders such as "My
Documents". All of those folders require individual user, or administrator
access, and Guest access gives you neither.

On XP Pro, if you're going to use Guest authentication, check your Local
Security Policy (Control Panel - Administrative Tools) - User Rights Assignment,
on the XP Pro computer, and look at "Deny access to this computer from the
network". Make sure Guest is not in the list. Look at "Access this computer
from the network", and make sure that Everyone is in this list.

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF / WF, or third party)? If
so, you need to configure them for file sharing. Firewall configurations are a
very common cause of (network) browser, and file sharing, problems.

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Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia is not necessarily a bad thing - it comes from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

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PC - 28 Apr 2005 00:37 GMT

Thanks Chuck. I have tried some of your suggestions, but will try all of
them tomorrow (one at a time) :). I know that it has to be something I just
keep overlooking. One thing that is strange to me, is the fact that I can
access other shares on the same computer and similar files and it
authenticates just fine. That is what is really confusing me. I have looked
at the two individual shares and compared settings and they seem to be
identical, but like I said, I could be overlooking the simpliest thing. If
you have any other suggestions, let me know.

Signature

Pat

> >I have 3 computers set up with a home network. I can see all my shared files
> >in My Network Places, and I can click on the file I want, but when I do, (it
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
> so, you need to configure them for file sharing. Firewall configurations are a
> very common cause of (network) browser, and file sharing, problems.

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Chuck - 28 Apr 2005 01:07 GMT

>Thanks Chuck. I have tried some of your suggestions, but will try all of
>them tomorrow (one at a time) :). I know that it has to be something I just
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>identical, but like I said, I could be overlooking the simpliest thing. If
>you have any other suggestions, let me know.

Pat,

You say "I can access other shares on the same computer", which sounds like you
have XP Pro, and Simple File Sharing disabled, on the server. Is this true?
What about the client? We might be able to help you better knowing those
details.

Be sure to check both the Sharing and Security tabs for the shares, and for the
folders, that you're comparing. The smallest detail might be relevant.

Signature

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia is not necessarily a bad thing - it comes from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

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PC - 29 Apr 2005 23:58 GMT

Well, first, when I went to one of the PCs it opened the file right away, now
today it will not. Within the program itself, it sees a logon, but never
logs that person out. Once it is supposedly logged into the program
(MotelMax) that is when it locks up and does nothing but come back to the log
on screen again.

I tried all your suggestions, but still this problem. Also checked and my
windows firewall is not on file and print sharing (if that is where you are
talking about). I know there is a way to open certain ports, but how do I
find which port I would need to open? I am definitely scratching my head. I
am going to contact the software people, but there is nothing that I can find
regarding this problem.

If you have any other suggestion, please let me know.

Signature

Pat

> >Thanks Chuck. I have tried some of your suggestions, but will try all of
> >them tomorrow (one at a time) :). I know that it has to be something I just
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> Be sure to check both the Sharing and Security tabs for the shares, and for the
> folders, that you're comparing. The smallest detail might be relevant.

Reply to this Message

Chuck - 30 Apr 2005 00:26 GMT

>Well, first, when I went to one of the PCs it opened the file right away, now
>today it will not. Within the program itself, it sees a logon, but never
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
>If you have any other suggestion, please let me know.

Pat,

The suggestions that I provided above are all for File Sharing. The File and
Printer Sharing exception, if you have Windows Firewall enabled, is critical.

I don't know a thing about MotelMax. Is that what you're having the problem
with? Or is your problem with Microsoft Network - File Sharing?

You can open the ports needed by MotelMax, in Windows Firewall, under Exceptions
- Add Port. You can let MM decide which ports to open by Add Program.

Is this just MotelMax that you're having problems with, or is regular Windows
Networking a problem too? If it's just MM, then contacting the "software
people" (MM Support?) would be a good idea. If Microsoft Networking (Windows
file sharing) is involved, then we can dig a bit deeper into your problem. Just
let us know.

Signature

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia is not necessarily a bad thing - it comes from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

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