Unable to change files even though permissions enabled

[miner2049er]

I have a desktop PC and a laptop PC networked together over WiFi, and I'm experiencing a problem regarding the ability to rename/write/delete files on the OTHER machine (and sometimes reading them.) I'm also having a problem with sharing not propagating to some folders below.

Both machines are running Windows XP Pro with SP1.

Everything was working fine until an hour or so ago - all I can remember doing that may have messed something up, was enabling or disabling "Enable Simple File Sharing" in Folder Options on one of the computers - and then things started to go wrong.

I am able to share folders between the two machines - in this particular instance I am sharing folders within both machine's "My Pictures" folders. But, when accessing these folders & their files from the OTHER machine (over the network) I am unable to rename or delete these files - even though I have enabled on a folder "Allow network users to change my files" (Simple File Sharing) or enabled Permissions For Everyone -> Full Control + Change + Read (when I use not Simple File Sharing.)

Oddly, as well as not being able to delete or rename some files, some files I cannot even READ over the network - even though they read OK on the machine where they live.

BTW, I can rename, delete and view files on the machine on which they reside with no problems.

(1) What could be happening here, and how can I get back to normality? i.e. being able to read/delete/rename files on the other machine, when I allow it, and also having permissions propagate to folders underneath?

(2) Is there anyway to reset things (permissions, shares etc.) to how they were when I first installed Windows XP?

If you need any more info, or clarification let me know.

Thanks in advance, Simon.

[snooker]

Have you try renaming or deleting these files in safe mode ???

[miner2049er]

The files are on the OTHER machine, so not sure if safe mode would help.

I did get some partial assistance from elsewhere - it is to do with my permissions setting.

Still looking into it...

[Play_The_0dds]

not sure what you changed and sometimes easy fixes work, if your system restore is active, have you tried it? go back to a checkpoint that is slightly older then the problem.

[robertnp]

If you are using XP and you want to access the Program Files on another computer in your workgroup network, this can be achieved using the following steps.

These steps assume the C: drive has already been shared.

To set it up, perform the following steps on each computer:

1. Log on as Administrator. (If the Administrator is not on you Welcome screen, when you are on the Welcome screen, press Ctrl-Alt-Del twice. The easiest way to add the Administrator to the Welcome screen is to use WinGuides Tweak Manager -- brilliant software.)

2. Make sure the administrator password on each machine is the same - it makes it easier later on. (To set the password, go to Administrative Tools > Local Users and Groups).

3. Put the cursor on the Start button, right click > Explore. Then: Tools > Folder Options > View and go to the last item in the list: "Use simple file sharing" and set it to OFF. Press: Apply to all folders.

4. Go to the Program Files folder. Right click on the folder > Sharing tab > "Share this folder". Then: Permissions and set Everyone to Full Control. Click OK. Note: this make take a few minutes to return to the normal cursor because it is recursing down the whole Program Files file structure and setting the permissions on every folder!

5. Locate you file manager program (Total Commander is by far and away The Best). Right click and select: Run As. Select Administrator and type in the password.

6. After both/all the PCs are done, access the Program Files on the other computer. It will ask you to choose "As Administrator". Click OK, click OK again and enter the password. It may take a minute to verify the permission and then Bingo!.

This seems to work irrespective of which level of user is logged in the two machines - administrator, user with admin rights or limited user.

Note: the steps do NOT switch "Use simple file sharing" ON again - it prevents from working.

Even bigger note: this change basically makes it possible for anyone who knows the administrator password to do whatever on the machines. Therefore you do undertake these changes are your own risk. I am not responsible for your security or your work practices.

I am unlikely to log back here any time soon, so good luck. I cannot provide any support -- because I am not that clever -- but you might get a response from rob - at - lasotell . com . au.

Regards,

Rob

[DaveC2003]

Originally Posted by miner2049er

Both machines are running Windows XP Pro with SP1.

Upgrade your machines to SP2 or SP3 for better security.

[DaveC2003]

oops, suddenly realised this thread is about 5 years old haha

[Monty007]

Going through a time warp...hey dave!