Accesing w2k machine thru' w98se network neighborhood

[2large]

I hope someone can help. One of our Directors took delivery of a new computer and asked to have w2kpro installed on it, as it is much more secure. The only problem is that the rest of the network is running on w98se machines. The w98se machines cannot access the w2k machine through network neighborhood. The w2k machine is 'there' (in network neighborhood on w98 machines), but double clicking it brings up a requester box asking for a password.
I've looked through most of the settings and I can't see anything obvious (I've never used w2k before!) I didn't realise it was going to be this secure..

 

[SuperDaveDCF]

I'm not a Win2k expert but I may be able to offer some insight. Was Win2k installed using the NTFS file system? If so, the W98 machine won't be able to see files since it can only read FAT and FAT32 file systems.

Second, how is the user account on the Win2k machine configured? I know there are different options like Guest, Backup User, Administrator, Power User etc. If he is setup as the admin then that is why a Win98 user is getting prompted for the admin password when trying to view files on the Win2k machine.

 

[2large]

Ah, I see now. I knew a can of worms was going to be opened on the decision to use w2k over w98.

I think it may be worth my while putting w98 on the machine so that at least it'll run like it used to.

I must admit, I thought it'd be a good idea, but I didn't realise I'd be running into so many problems.

Thanks for your help.

 

[TheLad]

Can I ask why you have PC's accessing PC's? Do you have a server? -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
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[2large]

Yes you can and yes, the network is run from a server.

 

[TheLad]

Excuse me for asking but why do you need PCs to access other PCs then? -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
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[salserocito]

Win2K is similar to Windows NT Server or Workstation in that there is a local User Database that requires updating. You must create a User account on the Win2K workstation and provide the necessary rights for others to be able to access any data and/or resources that reside on it.

Unless, of course, you have a Win2K Server/Domain that can handle the Windows-based authentication and grant access to the resources required.

 

[2large]

I've had a look at the rights - none of them (from what I can tell) deny any sort of access (ie none of the deny checkboxes are ticked), so it should work.

The reason why PC's access other PC's on the network is because files are stored locally on each PC that other people over the network may want to view (isn't that the essence of networking?)

You say to create a user account - the only logon atm is administrator, and I think the guest account isn't enabled (there's a red circle with a white cross next to Guest somewhere in the settings). And before someone replies with "enable the guest account", can I just ask how do you do this? I'm a complete noob at w2k - especially looking at account settings and networking.

Thanks for any help

 

[2large]

Just a thought, but whenever the w2k machine is double clicked in network neighborhood on a w98 machine, the window that comes up asking for a network password lists the resource as: //JOHN/IPC$ if that helps.

 

[TheLad]

I'd say the essence of a file server is to share files to be honest.

Do the PCs get backed up?

What happens if one of them suffers a hard disk failure?

The files are less secure on the PC than on a server (especially Windows 98 where you can escape past a login box, don't tell the cleaner)!!! -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
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[niki43]

You should be able to share files, I have two Win2000 and the rest Win 98 and I can share fine. I have a everyone account setup on each 2000 machine with sharing enabled on each hard drive. Also that is where you set which user groups can access the drives on the win2000 machine.

We should all just go to Linux and our life would be better

 

[salserocito]

Wow, I can't even imagine trying to administer a Network where each and every workstation had to be administered for User related tasks! What a pain.

Keep it centralized!

Good Luck!

 

[TheLad]

Agreed - a server serves (and don't let it forget it!) -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
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[niki43]

That is why I use Novell!!!!!!!

 

[TheLad]

I realise that, but if you do use NetWare then why do you put extra work your way by allowing users to share files on their PCs? Surely configuring a shared area on your NetWare server would be a far better, secure, and more manageable solution? It would also be a lot easier to back these files up. -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
-----------------------------------------------------

 

[niki43]

You are correct about it being extra work, but I use the large hard drives for temp storage. I do have home directories setup for each user and a shared folder, but as you have most likly seen it is amazing how hard it is to get some people to under stand the concept so when I get a call that I saved a file and now I cant find it, I can search there local drive from where ever I am at and locate it for them.