Hot to access external usb HDD on home network

Have an external USB HDD on my PC that I want to be able to share one partition/drive with other home (non-HomeGroup) PC's on my home network.

Have other folders/files set up sharing with no issues or problems...but I keep getting a "no permissions" error when trying to access the usb partition/drive from other PC's in the house ?

The attached jps should help explain:

my main PC (Home_Desktop) showing the shared drive on network - Timpc.jpg
Other PC showing the shared drive in network page - mapc.jpg
Error on other pc when trying to open shared usb drive - mapcno.jpg

Thanks in advanced....TR

In order to share a drive you need to use not only the regular permission settings but also the Security settings need to be enabled on the drive itself. It's considered to be a security risk to share an entire drive because an attacker would have access to the entire drive instead of just a few folders.

To share the entire drive:
Open My Computer -> right click Local Disk D or which ever drive letter your drive is using -> select Properties -> select Security tab -> click Edit button -> click Add button -> enter the name of the User you want to set Security permissions (it is the same user name you've set the sharing permissions for, ex. Everyone will set the read permissions to every user. Put check marks in the boxes for full access and control -> click OK hit apply-> select the desired permissions -> click OK -> wait while permissions are set -> and your Done.

I simulated this same problem with a folder on a USB drive, and found the solution to be allowing "Everyone" rights on the Security tab.

But I'm trying to further figure out if it's possible to limit access to either specific machines or machine/users, or to a Workgroup. With Everyone, every machine on the LAN has access. Does one need to go to Domains in order to get a more granular degree of control?

I think I found my answer. One needs a version of W7 above HP to use Groups: Local Users and Groups Manager - Open

paul1149 said:

I think I found my answer. One needs a version of W7 above HP to use Groups: Local Users and Groups Manager - Open

Thanks guys...took a quick look at your link...does this mean I can add the other computer's person/administrator as a user on my computer (with usb drive attached)...and also...would this access just be limited to the backup usb drive ?

Whole purpose of this is to allow me to backup her system on my external usb drive (1T drive).

Ofcourse now she's watching Sex and the City or something...so I'll post back whenever I again have access ??

TR

My Home-Premium does not see other machines or workgroups in the Permissions dialog, so it seems, LAN-wise, it's either Everyone or no one. I suspect Pro is different, but I am not sure. Accessibility should be limited to any shares you have made on your machine.

paul1149 said:

I simulated this same problem with a folder on a USB drive, and found the solution to be allowing "Everyone" rights on the Security tab.

But I'm trying to further figure out if it's possible to limit access to either specific machines or machine/users, or to a Workgroup. With Everyone, every machine on the LAN has access. Does one need to go to Domains in order to get a more granular degree of control?

Yes Paul, I believe that is exactly what I just said. The security tab is the one.

To answer your other question paul about sharing with indivdual users. You would need to set up another standard User account on both machines you want to share between in order to share with only that person.

Ok, thanks. That's a step forward.