Microsoft Sharing

crunchcable0

Junior Member
Aug 14, 2008
8
0
0
Hi,

I am trying to get a new computer on the network enabled to access shares on another computer.

My understanding of this was that they had to be in the same workgroup name, but when I try to access the share \\server\share, it says invalid.

A technicality I found interesting is that another computer on this network is in the MSHOME workgroup, which is a different workgroup name from other computers that are able to access this share, yet, this computer is also still able to access the share.

I have tried placing this new computer in the correct work group, but it is unable to access the \\share\name.
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
29,553
430
126
Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings, http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is allowed to be shared.

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://technet.microsoft.com/e.../library/bb727037.aspx

Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/d...x?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windo...t/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
 

crunchcable0

Junior Member
Aug 14, 2008
8
0
0
All the of machines are XP Professional and the two other computers are able to access the XP Professional machine that is hosting shares by it's name \\name\share. I just cannot get the new computer to access the share.

Is there something basic about the concept I might be missing? These computers are all connected to the same router so they're on the same network.

There's also no firewall installed on this computer that can't access the share.
 

Nothinman

Elite Member
Sep 14, 2001
30,672
0
0
My understanding of this was that they had to be in the same workgroup name, but when I try to access the share \\server\share, it says invalid.

Workgroups are merely logical groupings, they serve no security purpose at all.
 

crunchcable0

Junior Member
Aug 14, 2008
8
0
0
If they're all on the same subnet then, sharing should be working just as simple as enabling sharing and accessing the share by \\share\name?
 

Nothinman

Elite Member
Sep 14, 2001
30,672
0
0
The subnet doesn't matter either, SMB/CIFS works fine across subnets. Usually problems with filesharing are a permissions or username/password issue.
 

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
2
0
I am on the same boat. I'd think that XP would make it easier by now (is it easier on Vista?)....but that is not that case. it is still a pain. I'd think that any computer hooked to the same central switch should be able to see whatever is on the network. I can see how that can be a security flaw however, so it is probably better that it is a pain to have two computers shares things.