File Sharing Problem

[barryng]

I have a small network with three desktops and two laptops. All five machines run Windows XP Pro and all have Simple File Sharing enabled. Four of the five machines play nice with one another with respect to sharing folders and files. However, one desktop does not want to readily share folders. Using Windows Explorer I can specify specific folders to be shared but I cannot globally get it to readily share all folders like the four other machines do. Certain folders (e.g. Program Files) will not share no matter what I do. I do not have this problem with any of the other four machines.

Interestigly, the problem machine has no problem accessing files anywhere on the other four machines but it stubbornly refuses to readily allow access to its own files. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The primary reason for the network is to share a DSL connection but we also frequently use it to transfer files between machines. The one machine I just described presents us with a significant problem because of the difficulty in accesing files on it from the other four computers.

 

[DannyBoy]

Have you made sure it has the same workgroup name as the other machines?

I had the same problem and thats what was causing it, just a thought.

 

[barryng]

Thanks for the suggestion but, unfortunatley, the workgroup name is not the problem. It is consistent with the other machines. Also, from "My Network Places" the problem machine is visible from all the other computers. It would not be visible if the wrong workgroup name was enetered.

 

[JackMDS]

Try to load NetBEUI and bind it to the File Sharing.

Link: Set NetBEUI as the Default Sharing Protocol in WinXP.