Shares on a network

[braddds]

I'm trying to access my shared files/folders across my home network. Im currently running a 3 pc network (netbeiu)with each machine running different versions of windows:

1 win98se
2 winxp pro
3 win 2000 pro

I can see all three pc's from each machine and see their shares exceptfor the win 2000 pro...I can access its shares form only this (pc #3) machine. When I try to view them from the other pc's it wants a password. Trouble is I haven't setup a password so how do I get rid of this? Any help would appreciated.

 

[oki]

By setting the same administrator password on all three computers i think you should be able to go around the problem.
Atleast that's what i do in my small home- network with just a small workgroup. then i can browse the default \\computername\c$ share from any computer.

I hope this can help you....

 

[wolluf]

What you need are users set up on 2k machine with same user id/passwords you use to log onto 98 and XP machines.

 

[braddds]

Thx for the info...I personally don't use passwords on any of my machines (except for Admin access). Being behind a hardware firewall/router plus having software firewalls on each pc and having TCP/IP not bound to "file/printer sharing" or "networking" (that's what netbeiu does) has proven to protect my systems.

I did solve the problem (or rather it solved itself) by logging on as administrator and viewing the shares. I then rechecked the other machines and voila all was good in the world (and my network) again.

Don't ask me how, it just worked. I was able to logout/reboot and come in as my regular user and could access all shares setup throughout the network. If somebody has an explaination of how or why this worked please post it here, for the benefit of all!

thx again.

 

[braddds]

I may have found my own answer to this problem, go to:

http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/browse.htm

In it, it describes what a "browse master" (BM) does in a network. The BM elects one pc to control the info of shares on the network. This process uses a rating system to "elect" one pc the "master" and this pc tells all the other pc's what shares are available and where. This process can take 15 + minutes when a new system is added (as I did) to "elect" a BM.

It seems you can set this up on a specific pc by specifing the BM in "file and print sharing" to "enable" (from automatic, default) and "disable" on the other pc's. There are several rules to follow, found at the above address. But fairly simple to follow.

For those, like me, who didn't know this, it explains some quirky behaviour when browsing the network....good read!

cheers!

thx to:

http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2002/2002-11-25.htm

for this insight!

 

[wolluf]

braddds - thanks for that - I use the

http://www.wown.com

quite often, but haven't read that article before.

 

[rm2]

I don't know if this will help but try logging onto
all machines as "administrator".
You might make the password the same on all machines for
"administrator" (not sure if pw's need to be identical.)

Also, use identical punctuation for Administrator.