Re: File-sharing "Guest" Bug :(

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: Chuck (none_at_example.net)
Date: 04/10/04 

Date: 10 Apr 2004 14:50:06 -0500

On Fri, 9 Apr 2004 22:13:28 -0700, "Chris" <*email_address_deleted*> wrote:

>Ok, I have 3 computers with XP Pro. I used the network
>wizard on each computer to connect the network and share
>files together. I am using a Linksys BEFSR41 4-port
>cable/DSL router. There are no passwords for the
>computers. I was able to get access to each computer for
>a very long time.
>
>But recently, everytime I try to connect to any of the
>machines, it brings up the login screen that has the
>username grayed with "<computername>\Guest" (actually
>displays the names for each computer). I enabled and
>disabled the guest accounts. I disabled the
>policy for restricting blank passwords for console only.
>but those didn't help :(
>
>Now, sometimes it goes through, and sometimes it doesn't.
>I think it is a file-sharing bug, but I don't know how to
>fix it. For the time being I am using 3rd rty programs to
>share files, but I don't know what is happening. Does
>anyone know what can cause/fix this?

Chris,

With XP Pro, check to see if Simple File Sharing (Control Panel - Folder Options
- View - Advanced settings) is enabled or disabled. With XP Pro, you need to
have the SFS settings the same on each computer.

If SFS is disabled, check the Local Security Policy (Control Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to "Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

If you set the Local Security Policy to "Guest only", make sure that the Guest
account is enabled, and has an identical, non-blank, password on all computers.
If "Classic", setup and use a common account with identical, non-blank, password
on all computers.

And please don't contribute to the spread of email address mining viruses.
Learn to munge your email address properly, to keep yourself a bit safer when
posting to open forums. Protect yourself and the rest of the internet - never
post your address unmunged.
http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_munging.htm

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

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