Vista Sharing Problem -- no option to share root?

[metaphysicist]

Hey all,

I'm having a rather odd problem with Vista Ultimate, with which I hope you can help. I'm trying to share a root drive over my home network (a USB drive). I used to be able to do this no problem, but recently it stopped working. When I right-click on the drive (or any drive), there is no "Share..." option available. There is said option when I want to share specific folders, but not root directories. I don't know why this stopped working, as I didn't do anything! I also have Vista Ultimate on my laptop, and that option is available.

Here is what I have done to try to fix this:
* tinkered with Firewall/Defender/Security Center
* created a new Admin account
* modified Network and Sharing Center options (options are exact same as laptop, which does not have the problem)
* System Restore
* Easy Transfer
* endless reboots...

This is utterly baffling to me. Any help?

 

[InlineFive]

If filesharing is enabled the root drive is already shared as \\<computer name>\<drive letter>$ (for example: \\JELLYBELLY\C$). You won't be able to see this share using the network browser so you will have to map it as a network drive.

And I would strongly suggest reconsidering using an administrator account for file sharing.

 

[metaphysicist]

I have tried to access the root drive as you suggested, and it could not find it. Correct me if I am wrong, but is it not the case that if I can right-click on my USB drive and select "Share..." while the USB drive is connected to computer A (laptop), I should be able to do the same when the USB drive is connected to computer B (desktop)? Especially when I have been able to do this in the past?

Should I not be able to right-click and select "Share..." from the Computer window?

Following your advice I will set up a regular user account for file sharing, once this gets all figured out. A regular user account still does not have the ability to do what I want to do (just tried it).

--metaphysicist

 

[metaphysicist]

Okay I got it to work by going through Computer Management > System Tools > Shared Folders > Shares and defining a new folder. Is there any way to ensure that my USB drive will always be J:\?

 

[Ucla74]

Originally posted by: metaphysicist
Is there any way to ensure that my USB drive will always be J:\?

Sure; just go into storage management and designate that drive as any unused letter (I use Z: just to be sure there are no conflicts with anything else I may use).

 

[metaphysicist]

Originally posted by: Ucla74

Originally posted by: metaphysicist
Is there any way to ensure that my USB drive will always be J:\?

Sure; just go into storage management and designate that drive as any unused letter (I use Z: just to be sure there are no conflicts with anything else I may use).

Thanks, that gives me a workaround of my problem. Still, if anyone has any insights into what might be causing the original problem, please share them.