Sharing Root of C drive on XP Pro

>-----Original Message-----
>In article <075601c39770$50778f90

><mistrmoe@hotmail.com> wrote:

>>Hello. I have taken great pains to build a network
>>between one XP computer and 2 Windows 98 machines.

>>are connected via a hardwired router operating at 100
>>megabits using CAT5 cables. I have succeeded in
>>configuring my network to the point where all the
>>computers can see and communicate with each other

>>for one glitch. The Windows 98 machines both allow me

>>share the entire C drive, including the Windows,

>>and Program Files directories. When I try to share
>>Program Files, Windows, etc., from the XP machine to

>>98's it says Access Denied on the 98 computers. Upon
>>some research I have learned sharing those files is
>>disabled because they are used by the system. I am
>>however, almost certain there is a way to manually
>>override this precaution and forcible share my entire C
>>drive over my network. Any thoughts?

>
>I'm sorry, but that's how Windows XP works when it's

>NTFS disk partition using "Simple File Sharing". It

>sharing the Documents and Settings, Program Files, or

>I don't know why Microsoft designed it that way.
>
>You can share subfolders within those folders, e.g. you

>"C:\Program Files\Outlook Express" and access that

>computer on the network.
>
>If you have Windows XP Professional, you can permanently

>Simple File Sharing, which removes those sharing

>
>1. Open My Computer and click Tools | Folder Options |

>2. Scroll to the end of the advanced settings.
>3. Un-check "Use simple file sharing (recommended).
>
>If you have Windows XP Home Edition, there's no easy

>safest thing is to share individual subfolders, as

>
>You can re-install the operating system on a FAT or

>partition -- those disk formats don't have any sharing

>However, that would lose the benefits of NTFS, which is

>and efficient and can use larger disks. You'd also need

>all of your applications.
>
>I've heard of two possible solutions for XP Home Edition

>disk partition. Before I give them, I want to emphasize

>
>1. They're un-supported, un-documented, and un-tested.
>
>2. There's no guarantee that they'll work.
>
>3. They might cause data loss or corruption.
>
>4. Microsoft and your computer manufacturer probably

>technical support if they cause problems.
>
>5. Don't blame me if they cause problems. I warned you.
>
>If you want to try them, at your own risk:
>
>1. Back up all of your important data first so that you

>in case of problems.
>
>2. Run System Restore to create a restore point that you

>to in case of problems.
>
>OK. With those danger signs flashing and alarm bells

>they are:
>
>1. Start Windows XP in "Safe Mode with Networking"

>disables "Simple File Sharing"), share the desired folder

>permissions, and reboot normally, or:
>
>2. Follow the procedure shown here:
>
>http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_home_sectab.htm
>--
>Best Wishes,
>Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
>
>Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news

>for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer

>addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
>
>Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
>http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>.
>

>Thank you so much for your assistance. I can now share
>everything just fine as I do use XP Pro. However,
>whenever I try to access even just the computer name
>itself from my 98 machines, it asks for a password. I
>have tried everything I can think of, including
>specifying one of my XP Pro user accounts as the login
>name and using the accompanying password. THoughts?

> 3. Un-check "Use simple file sharing (recommended).

> In article <075601c39770$50778f90$a101280a@phx.gbl>, "Mister Moe"
> <mistrmoe@hotmail.com> wrote:

> >Hello. I have taken great pains to build a network
> >between one XP computer and 2 Windows 98 machines. They
> >are connected via a hardwired router operating at 100
> >megabits using CAT5 cables. I have succeeded in
> >configuring my network to the point where all the
> >computers can see and communicate with each other except
> >for one glitch. The Windows 98 machines both allow me to
> >share the entire C drive, including the Windows, System,
> >and Program Files directories. When I try to share
> >Program Files, Windows, etc., from the XP machine to the
> >98's it says Access Denied on the 98 computers. Upon
> >some research I have learned sharing those files is
> >disabled because they are used by the system. I am
> >however, almost certain there is a way to manually
> >override this precaution and forcible share my entire C
> >drive over my network. Any thoughts?

>
> I'm sorry, but that's how Windows XP works when it's installed on an
> NTFS disk partition using "Simple File Sharing". It doesn't allow
> sharing the Documents and Settings, Program Files, or Windows folders.
> I don't know why Microsoft designed it that way.
>
> You can share subfolders within those folders, e.g. you can share
> "C:\Program Files\Outlook Express" and access that folder from another
> computer on the network.
>
> If you have Windows XP Professional, you can permanently disable
> Simple File Sharing, which removes those sharing restrictions:
>
> 1. Open My Computer and click Tools | Folder Options | View.
> 2. Scroll to the end of the advanced settings.
> 3. Un-check "Use simple file sharing (recommended).
>
> If you have Windows XP Home Edition, there's no easy solution. The
> safest thing is to share individual subfolders, as mentioned above.
>
> You can re-install the operating system on a FAT or FAT32 disk
> partition -- those disk formats don't have any sharing restrictions.
> However, that would lose the benefits of NTFS, which is more reliable
> and efficient and can use larger disks. You'd also need to re-install
> all of your applications.
>
> I've heard of two possible solutions for XP Home Edition on an NTFS
> disk partition. Before I give them, I want to emphasize that:
>
> 1. They're un-supported, un-documented, and un-tested.
>
> 2. There's no guarantee that they'll work.
>
> 3. They might cause data loss or corruption.
>
> 4. Microsoft and your computer manufacturer probably won't offer
> technical support if they cause problems.
>
> 5. Don't blame me if they cause problems. I warned you.
>
> If you want to try them, at your own risk:
>
> 1. Back up all of your important data first so that you can restore it
> in case of problems.
>
> 2. Run System Restore to create a restore point that you can go back
> to in case of problems.
>
> OK. With those danger signs flashing and alarm bells ringing, here
> they are:
>
> 1. Start Windows XP in "Safe Mode with Networking" (which temporarily
> disables "Simple File Sharing"), share the desired folder(s), set the
> permissions, and reboot normally, or:
>
> 2. Follow the procedure shown here:
>
> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_home_sectab.htm
> --
> Best Wishes,
> Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
>
> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
>
> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com