Problem Connecting To Network

[Gregavi]

Hi, I have 3 computers and one media player setup in one network (WORKGROUP). They are:

Office running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit Service Pack 1
Laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit Service Pack 1
Server running Vista Business 32 bit Service Pack 2
Popcorn Hour

All 3 computers are in my "WORKGROUP" Network.

I can access all shared files from all devices except I cannot access files on "Office" from "Server" or from Popcorn Hour. I have turned off "Password Protected Sharing" on the all computers.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kyu]

turn back on pass protected sharing? see if that works.

 

[Gregavi]

Tried that. The result was a popup came up asking for Username and Password. With Password Protected sharing off, I can see all the shares on "Office" but cannot access them. With it on, I cannot even see shares. As I stated, I get asked for user name and password before I can even see the shares.

 

[MilesAhead]

Can you access the files on Office folder Public? It should be shared by default.

I've found on my networks with mixed Windows flavors if I can access the files in Public (or All Users on XP) then getting the rest of the stuff to work seems to happen much faster since I don't get side-racked playing with the folder share settings. At least then I know those machines can share the default shared folders. If they can't then it's some other problem.

 

[Gregavi]

I'm not sure what that means "Office folder Public".

I can access all shared files/folders on everything within the network except:

1. I cannot access shared files/folders that reside on Office (Win7) from Server (Vista)
2. I cannot access shared files/folders that reside on Office (Win7) from Popcorn Hour

The common denominator is not Win7 since my laptop is Win7 and I have no problem accessing shared files/folders that reside on it from any device within the network.

 

[MilesAhead]

It means \\Office\Public

 

[Gregavi]

Are you saying I should set up my Network as "Public" and not a "Home" network?

 

[MilesAhead]

No. On Vista and later there is the folder C:\Users\Public that is shared out of the box. If you cannot access files in that folder over your network the problem should be attacked via network settings first, before worrying about the shared folder settings on the other folders you share.

Get your network so you can access the share \\Office\Public frim every machine. Then you know the network is not the block. After that if the other folders don't behave as desired tweak the folder share settings.

It usually saves lots of time to take this approach,at least for Workgroup stuff. I've never run domains so I can't advise on those.

This technique has worked for me especially when dealing with mixed Windows OS.

 

[Gregavi]

Thanks MilesAhead. I will check it out and report back.

 

[Gregavi]

OK, I do have access to the folder Office/Users/Public from all devices on the network (including Popcorn Hour). So the question now is, how do I get the desired shared folders setup and behave like the "Public" folder?

I have studied the "Public" folder settings for "Sharing" and "Security" and applied the same settings to a few of my desired shared folders. I am still unable to access these shared folders. There are so many layers of settings for "Sharing" and Security" it's hard to know if all settings are correct. Seemingly endless pages of settings. I'm pretty sure I have them setup alike though.

 

[MilesAhead]

Okay, for more info on Public folders I recommend this link:
Share files using the Public folders

Also with networking there's a danger of trying to wrestle the problem with too little information. Please supply the info that's applicable from among the suggestions in this thread:
http://www.sevenforums.com/network-...ts-before-posting-your-networking-thread.html

Sometimes the "shortcut" to a quick solution ends up being the long roundabout way unfortunately.

Edit: As weird as it sounds often I have stopped banging my head against the wall and used the Public folders to share files by copying the stuff over to them before copying to the other machine. After a bit of time goes by I try sharing a different folder and it works. It could be the Leprechauns left town or I don't know what. But it seems sometimes not trying you get there faster. Granted the Domain Administrator in a work setting doesn't have this luxury. But sometimes for home systems it seems to help break through the barrier. It's like if you go a month never forgetting your umbrella it stops raining.