Cannot access Shared folder (LAN)

I have been having problems sharing documents in My shared folder over a LAN network. When i try to copy a file or folder into my shared documents it says "access denied - File may be write protected or in use ". I know that none of the files i am trying to copy have "read only" on, or are "Write protected ", neither are they in use. I cannot delete or copy anything in my shared folders (such as sample music or sample pictures). I have turned off all my virus protectors and firewalls but it still doesn't do anything. If anyone has any ideas to why this is happening i would be very greatful.
Thanks
Alex

 

Hi,

It's the shared folder where u should config the userrights not the files.

 

While these steps are related to an Adobe problem the "steps themselves will still hold true. You can walk through these and see if it helps:

http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/329117.html

There are three (actually two as two are version specific) different solutions or ways to do this as provided by link above ^. The directions below are slightly modified by editing (by myself) and are as follows. Two of which (step 1 and 2) are xp version specific "xp pro" and "xp home ":

Solution 1 for winxp PRO version
Disable simple file sharing if you have not done so (Windows XP Pro only) and change the permissions for the All Users folder. Then, re-enable simple file sharing.
How to:
To temporarily disable simple file sharing and change permissions:
1. Log in as an administrator.
2. If you use Windows XP Pro, disable simple file sharing:
a. Choose Start > My Computer.
b. Choose Tools > Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
c. In the Advanced Settings section, de-select Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended). Click OK.
3. In Windows Explorer, open the Documents and Settings folder.
4. Right-click the All Users folder, and then choose Properties.
5. Click the Security tab.
6. Click Administrators in the User list. If Full Control is not selected in the Permissions list, change the access control level to Full Control (see the Microsoft documentation for information on how to modify access control levels).
7. Click Advanced, and select Replace Permission Entries on All Child Objects With Entries Shown Here That Apply to Child Objects (Windows XP Pro ) or Reset Permissions on All Child Objects and Enable Propagation of Inheritable Permissions.
8. Click OK, and then click Yes. Click OK to close the All Users Properties dialog box.
10. If you use Windows XP Pro, re-enable simple file sharing:
a. Choose Start > My Computer.
b. Choose Tools > Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
c. In the Advanced Settings section, select Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended). Click OK.

Solution 2 for windows Home Version

Solution 2: Change the sharing permissions (Windows XP Home Edition)
1. Choose Start > Run, type %allusersprofile% in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Right-click the Shared Documents folder, and choose Properties.
3. Click the Sharing tab, and then select Share This Folder.
4. Click Permissions, and then select Everyone from the Group Or User Names section.
5. Select Allow next to Full Control in the Permissions section and then click OK. (For more information on changing permissions, see Windows Help.)
6. Click OK to close the Shared Documents Properties dialog box.

Solution 3: Change permissions in Safe mode, and then install Acrobat. (Windows XP only)
1. Choose Start > Run, type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Click the BOOT.INI tab, and then select /SAFEBOOT in the Boot Options section.
3. Select MINIMAL from the /SAFEBOOT options, and then click OK.
4. Restart Windows.
5. Choose Start > Run, type %allusersprofile% in the Open box, and then click OK.
6. Right-click the Shared Documents folder, and choose Properties.
7. Click the Security tab.
8. Select Everyone from the Group Or User Names section, and then select Allow next to Full Control in the Permissions section. (For more information on changing permissions, see Windows Help.)
9. Click Advanced, and then select Replace Permission Entries On All Child Objects With Entries Shown Here That Apply To Child Objects.
10. Click OK, and then click Yes.
11. Click OK to close the Shared Documents Properties dialog box.
12. Choose Start > Run, type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
13. Click the General tab, and then select Normal Startup - Load All Device Drivers and Services.
14. Click OK, and then restart Windows.

Background information

When one needs to put files in the Documents and Settings \ All Users \ Shared Documents folder. If the permissions aren't set to allow access, an error may be expected. Setting permissions to the All Users folder and its child folders provides full access to the Shared Documents folder.

-----------
Additional information which one may find useful. "To read" or not "To read" the choice is yours:
http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBI/tip4200/rh4299.htm

 

I tried options 2 & 3 because i have WinXP home, but there seems to be nothing about "permissions ". There are only 3 tick boxes, one indicating to share the file on the network, one to make it private and one to let network users edit your files. I can find the permissions part on 2000 Pro just not on XP Home. If it makes any difference, the computer and the operating system were purchased in England.

Alex

I actually found that i was sharing the whole of my computer. I looked in the sharing tab and found my C drive and my documents were set to "Private ". (How was i sharing them on the network then?). Since i have a lot of coursework that was openly available for anyone on the network to copy or edit i immediatly disabled my network connection. Something is telling me that it is not just "permissions" that are messing my computer up. What is wrong?

 

Giving this a bump, where others more comfortable with this can give it a second look.... This stuff still makes me dizzy and drives me crazy...

Hi again Alex,

Even as I'm writing this, the beads of sweat are forming on my forehead. It comes to no ones surprise, who are regulars on this board, that "I hate Networking and thereby usually avoid these topics. I was only trying to expand on Stanislov's thread by providing a few "step-by-steps ". I had hoped this would make walking through and checking your "sharing options and settings" a bit less painful.

I will say that the "security tab" with all those Users Profiles Permissions and all the little various ways that you can modify or control these are available when you log in as the Administrator on the Administrators account. Hence the step number 3 which states to startup in safemode. I believe this will be the administrators account by default or at least the account login option would be. The additional "Security Tab" should be accessible in this mode. However I would strongly advise that you do attempt to do anything without thoroughly understanding what you are doing and what it will effect and if you can reverse it and how to do that before the need should arise. That's why I supplied the other link, which had Microsoft sublinks. There just was no short answers that I felt comfortable giving.

I must stand back in the wings and wait for one of the other members, who are much more comfortable and familiar with Networking, to help you from this point on. While I am willing to experiment on my own computer, I will not do so with yours. A wrong policy change can lock you out of your computer as some of these will also effect the Administrators account.

-------
I hope the discovery of the total c drive sharing was in xp and not win 2000, of which I know nothing of, if so..
Keep in mind that, by choice and because I have a husband who is so good at "Networking Setups & Configurations ", thereby enabling me to hand over the controls to him when it comes to such matters. If it were myself, I would click the properties of my c drive and on the sharing tab disable all boxes for sharing the total c drive and opt for individual folder and file sharing when it was needed. The fact that you have made your c drive private may account for your "access Denied" errors when trying to copy folders to your "Shared folder ". The same suggestion goes for your "My Documents" folder. This folder is not the "Shared documents" folder.

Please do a study up on the Networking (and the security Tabs settings).

Wait for other Members comments and instructions....

 

LOL - Ann, I'll take the load off your shoulders although it did look like you were doing well.

Alex - more LAN detail please
- list each OS you have in use
- how are the PCs physically connected
- how much control over the LAN and the other users do you have
- do you have administrative access to your PC and can you set it to suit yourself or do you have guidelines you must follow
- how much access do you want to give others and will it be the same for all others or do you want some folks to have more access and control than others
- is the shared folder physically located on your PC or is it on a network file server

 

Newt!
Oh Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Now I can breathe a sigh of relief. I felt so guilty leaving this poster dangling on his thread (pun intended). No one else seemed to eager to jump in. I, more than most, definitely can't fault anyone for doing that.. Perhaps because it was being addressed in the XP Forum rather than the Networking Forum. Where, in my eyes, only those "truly wise, gifted and scholarly, super intelligent, never ending patience, supreme beings ",venture to go. Although I tend to think it was the "subject" rather than the "place ". It has to take never ending patience to deal with this stuff! I have to have a mile high stack of crib notes and how-to reference papers piled in front of me just to build up the courage to click on that "Security Tab ".

Now I'm going to run as fast as I can back to my nice comfy Forums....bye.

 

Although this is not a cure for his problem, i add this info as a tip for sharing folders , and it is how i set it up myself for clients. I would need the info Newt asked for above before i could consider adding any input on solving the issue.

Anyway the advice

As a rule i dont share files in any of the folders under Documents and Settings and never use Shared Folder that are built into Windows. Apart from being difficult in some cases, it is also not a good idea for security reasons. Keep the outside world out of your profile area is a good idea.

I would create a new folder in c: and share it instead. It will be easier to set up, safer, and much easier to find when you want to back it up.

 

Dez - absolutely agree.

 

I also agree with Dez Bradley

BillyBob