Programe Files Dir

I am running XP Pro and I can't access these directorys on the Network on each PC. I have tried alsorts of suggestions and websites that guide you through sharing XP folders, but I still can't get access to these folders from any of my PC's, anybody got any ideas on what to try next



thanks MJ.

 

First, I'd suggest that sharing the program files directory is not usually good practice. Many programs will not run over the network properly by simply initialising them from a share. I'd suggest you start by sharing a documents folder - that is set aside a folder for holding documents you wish to share and then share that folder. Sharing the programs folder can give people access to parts of your files system that you probably don't want them to access.

There are three basic areas that could be causing your problem.

1. Are the two PC able to communicate? First thing to test is to Ping the computer with the shared folder and seeing if you get a reply. The syntax of the ping command (run at a command prompt) is:

ping <address>

So for example, if the computer is 192.168.0.3, you would "ping 192.168.0.3 ". If this fails you could try checking the IP address set up using this tool.

2. You have a firewall enabled between the two computer or on one or both computers. Check your firewall settings.

3. An authentication problem. You need to set up an account for each person who is going to access the shared resource on the computer where the shared folder resided. Also check your share and file permissions. In XP, if you don't have rights to a folder, it won't appear.