Newbie trying to setup shared files over school network

[neomits]

Ok here is my situation. I currently have a lot of files that I've been sharing over my school network without a password. I am now wanting to password protect all those files but make it to where anyone can view one text file that tells them how to get access (in otherwords to IM me) I'm very new to this whole setting up user accounts and such so simple words will help. I've already tried creating a user group called school and giving it access to the folders that I wish to share but when someone on another computer tries to connect it tells them right off that they do not have access. I want it to give a pop up to ask for a username and password, or even just a password if its a specific user. So basically my 2 things are

1 Make it so that when users try to open up a shared folder from another computer on the network it props a user login
2 Make one readme file that is accessible to everyone without login that gives info on how to gain the password.

Your help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[jimmyhaha]

what OS are u using ?

windows file sharing can do..
u can just put a readme.txt that everyone can access and password protect the rest of the stuff..

or if u want more control..
u can set up a ftp server...

 

[neomits]

I'm running XP and I can't figure out how to put a pass so that people can just log on. I used to do that in 2k but I can't figure it out for XP.

I don't want to setup an FTP becuase I don't want to have to tell everyone about the FTP. I'd rather them be able to browse my files just by browsing through the network