Shared Files on XP Network

Just recently the moving of JPG files from one PC to the other through drag and drop and copy and paste to the Shared Folders has gotten contrary. Example: The Host moves a JPG to Client. The Host can view the JPG, the Client's Picture folder contains the Icon and when opening the file it indicates "no preview available." After the Client deletes all pictures in Picture File, the Host can still view the pictures that were deleted by Client in a shortcut on Host machine to Client's Picture file.

Client to Host file exchange works fine. I've done a SFC on both machines (XP Home). I've done a Repair on the Network even thought it indicated it was not needed.

This is no big deal but would like to have it to work correct.

Footnote: This started just before or just after installing SP2 on the Host machine. Client machine does not have SP2 installed. Don't see how this would have an effect but maybe did!

Would appreciate a suggestion(s) to possible find the problem with this picture deal.

 

Drag/drop and Copy/paste should both be giving you copies on both PCs. Is that what you were doing?
- How about if you "take ownership" of the copy on the client PC?
- How about if you cut a picture on the host and then paste it on the client?

Does the problem occur with other files or just pictures?

the Host can still view the pictures that were deleted by Client in a shortcut on Host machine to Client's Picture file

I can't figure out what that is saying.

 

I'm not good at explaining as you can see.

"How about if you "take ownership" of the copy on the client" PC?
I don't understand that "take ownership! "

"Does the problem occur with other files or just pictures? "
Just pictures as far as I know. That is the only thing that we usually do. When she get something that I would want to look at, she drags it to a shortcut on her desktop that is to my Pictures.

"the Host can still view the pictures that were deleted by" Client in a shortcut on Host machine to Client's Picture file "

I mean that: If she deletes the pictures in her My Pictures Folder, I can see see them from my PC. She can't, she deleted them. But, I can still view on my machine, the Host, the pictures she deleted from hers. I also have to delete the pictures to get them out of of the Shared Pictures File.

So If I drag and drop a picture from the Host PC to the shortcut to the Client PC, it will go. She can see the Icon, but can't view the picture. I can click the shortcut on my Host PC that is to her Picture Folder and I can see the picture I sent, it opens fine.

If she deletes the picture mentioned in the above paragraph, it leaves her Folder as deleted BUT I can click on her Folder as the Host and it's still there and I can view it. It stays in the Shared Pictures Folder.

As I write this it confuses me also. Like I mentioned in the original post, this is not very important and if it is going to be a hassle I'd just as soon forget about it. Even so, hope the above explains it better.

 

It can get somewhat confusing. Our disadvatage is not knowing what folders are being shared and the associated privileges. The simpliest for both of you to "author and see" the same picture on different computers is to have a shared picture folder set up granting "write / delete" privileges to both users. When either of you want to "introduce a new picture" you want the other user to see, copy / download it to the shared folder. When they "open" the shared folder, they will see the file/icon for the picture. BUT if they already have the shared folder opened, they MUST "refresh the view" for the new file/icon to display to the folder view. Then you can click onto the file name and it will be displayed.
One word of caution. It can be dangerous to set up a shared folder with the above attributes. I would copy "unreplaceable" pictures to a CD or each of you store copies on a non-shared folder. I hope this clarifies some of your questions. Keep in mind, a "shortcut" whether pointing to a shared folder on another PC or your own PC is just a "handy tool" to get to ONE folder without going into "Explorer" and clicking on it. I apologize if I misunderstood your question or suggesting a solution you are familiar with.

 

Dennis, thank you for the information. It's probably going to be a miracle for me to understand what I need to do and why. The problem is, in the past I could drop a jpg file into the Client machine by way of a shortcut on my desktop to the Clients Picture Folder. All was fine and all could view the pictue. The Client PC could do the same in that the Client cound drag and drop to the shortcut on that PC to the Hosts Picture file. Both could view the pictures from either PC. If one or the other deleted the picture, it was gone from both PC to view.

Now the Host can drag and drop, or copy and paste, to the shortcut on the Host desktop to the Clients PC. The client can see the icon but not view the picture. The Host can, by clicking shortcut, see the picture put on the Clients PC but the Client can't.

So the Client deletes the icon that can't be viewed. It's gone from the Clients Picture File. But the Host PC can still view the picture in the Clients Picture File, like it was never deleted. It's still there as far as the Host can tell even though the Client deleted it as non-viewable.

Another example, she deleted about 20 icon pictures yesterday. The one she puts there she can view. The ones I put there by drag and drop or copy and paste she cannot view. So she deletes all pictures from her Picture File and it appear empty to her. I can still view all the pictures on the Host PC just as if she did not delete them. I then deleted the Pictures that showed on the shortcut. I, the Host, now see the empty folder as she, the Client, does.

Mentioned earlier, this does not present a real problem to us, just wanted to be able to pass pictures back an forth that come from emails.

I'm convinced that this is something I'll live with as it seems more complicated that is worth the worry to change.

 

Sounds like you are doing it the hard way.

Dont use the Shared Pictures or Shared Files folders built in by Microsoft. They are flakey. Do this instead:

1. Create a folder on the client PC's desktop. Share it by right clicking on it and choosing Sharing. Should be obvious what to do in there.

2. On the Host PC go to My Computer

3. Go to Tools menu- Map network drive

4. Type this in the path field that appears, without the brackets []

\\[client pc name or IP]\[shared folder share name]

The shared folder share name being set by you when you share the folder originally on the client PC's desktop. It can be different to the actual name of the folder.

eg c:\My Documents\ can be shared as Docs and referred to as \\[computer name]\Docs by accessing PCs.

5. If you filled in the correct info the folder should appear on your screen. You can close it. If it doesnt work, check your syntax and try restarting both PCs.

For best functionality do this now:

1. Go to My computer on the host PC

2. Right click on the new mapped drive and choose Create Shortcut

You will be asked to create the shortcut on the desktop. Say yes.

3. Go to your desktop. Right click on the new shortcut and choose Cut.

Open Windows Explorer or My Computer

Paste the shortcut into the Send To folder. This will mean when you are done, you can right click on any file on the host PC, choose Send To and then the new mapped drive name that is there now, and a copy of the file will go to the clients newly shared folder. Doesnt get easier to move files around.

The send to folder lives where?

IN Windows 98/ME it is in c:\Windows\Sendto or c:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Sendto

In 2000 or XP it is in C:\Documents and Settings\[Your profile name]\SendTo

On the Client PC, you can access any copied files from the folder on the desktop you created in the beginning.

Hope this didnt make your brain hurt too much

 

Wow! There is a Law in this state that protects people like me, called "Elderly Abuse!" Don't think this applies but it is close.

It makes sense and I'm going to try to follow your instruction and do it. Sure would make things easier.

Thank you for taking the time to explain this. Hopefully others out there that have this problem will also benefit.