Vista File Sharing Weirdness

I'm stymied trying to fileshare using Windows Vista. It should be pretty simple, right? I click the "Share" button, select the Users I want, and click the button again.

Now, here is what actually happens when I try this: It says the folder has been successfully shared, but if I go back to properties for that folder (using the Pictures folder in this case), it clearly says that it is NOT shared. If I try to share it again, it says there was an error, and says that the containing folder is already shared. Sure enough, if I dig down a bit, the entire Users folder is apparently Shared. Why this should happen I have no idea, but it happens every time. In any case, I can't access any shared resources from any other computer. My PC shows up in the Workgroup, but trying to access it from another machine (XP SP3) it asks for my username and password, but when I enter them, it simply brings up the prompt again and again, never actually connecting.

I've tried reformatting and installing Vista from scratch to solve this, but there was no change. I can reproduce the exact same problem on the two Vista computers I have here. Help would be appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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What trips most people up

by Jimmy Greystone Sep 29, 2008 2:39PM PDT

What trips most people up on this sort of thing, is that the user names don't match up.

If you want to share files between an XP and Vista system, BOTH systems need to have identical users for sharing. So if the XP system has a user account "John", the Vista system also needs to have a user account named "John" and the passwords need to be identical. Otherwise, you'll get that prompt asking for a username and password.

It makes very little sense, I know, but complaining to me about it won't do anything to fix it.

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Still Problems

by gordonbyrnes_dotmac Sep 29, 2008 6:39PM PDT

Unfortunately, this doesn't fix the problem that the folders are refusing to share at all. I try to share a folder, it just shares the User directory instead of the folder I select. I've tried turning off the password requirement thing, but it doesn't make any difference.

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Then have you tried

by Jimmy Greystone Sep 30, 2008 1:41AM PDT

Then have you tried alternatives, like FTP? It may not have the same convenience as doing it with Windows' file sharing, but it's generally pretty quick and easy to set up once you get the basic hang of things. Getting Windows file sharing to work is one part skill and about three parts dumb luck. If it doesn't work correctly the first time, your odds of ever getting it working go down dramatically it seems. The more you futz around with things, the less likely you are to get it working.

You may have some malware on your system that is interfering with things, so I would be sure to look into that option. Never hurts to run a scan anyway, especially if you're an IE user.

You can also try a program called Network Magic. Never used it myself, so I've just told you pretty much everything I know about it, but it has been recommended by one of the moderators here. Maybe the only one who appears to actually have any level of real technical skill. I'll just pass the name along, and you can look into it yourself.

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Vista File Sharing

by ict-cramps Sep 30, 2008 8:57AM PDT

I'm guessing you are either right clicking on a folder and click "Share" on the Right Click menu or "Share" Button under the Properties dialog.

Try this
Right Click the Folder you wish to Share
Click Properties
Click the Sharing Tab
Then Click "Advanced Sharing"
(If UAC Appears Click Continue)
Check The Checkbox "Share This Folder
(Change Ths Share Name If You Wish.)

Then Click "Permissions"
>>>Under Group or Usernames it should say "Everyone"
If You want anyone that connects to the folder to have full control over it click the "Full Control" Checkbox under "Allow" under "Permissions for Everyone"
Now all 3 Checkboxes should be ticked.
Click "OK"
Then Click "Apply" then "OK"
Then Click "Close"

This Should Work as i have got this setup for computers between Vista & XP & 2000.

On the other computer when accessing the folder it probably ask for username & password. of the computer user that your connecting to

I think to get rid of this you can go to:
Control Panel > Network & Sharing Centre.
Drop down on Public Folder sharing
and change "Password Protected Sharing" to Off

and Make Sure that "Public Folder Sharing" is set to:
"Turn On Sharing so anyone with network access can open, change, and create files"

Hope this makes sense & works
Alex

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Advanced works

by gordonbyrnes_dotmac Oct 2, 2008 7:49AM PDT

Advanced sharing works fine. I guess I'm confused about why the simple sharing option is even there, as it doesn't seem to work at all. To test, a did just a plain install of Vista without adding or changing anything, turned on Sharing, and still have the same issue.

Vista File Sharing Weirdness

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