XP networking

At my remote work loaction:

I have W2K machines running on the same peer to peer network with two of these blasted XP Home boxes. All p.c.'s are FAT32 file system.

When I open up network neighbourhood and computers near me ... then double click on one of the XP machines I am able to walk right in on that machine ...sheesss.

Why is that ... pray tell.

The rest of the W2K machines TO w2k machines a password and user name box is displayed when logging on to each other .. which is what I want to happen with these XP Home p.c.'s when the user logs onto them with a W2K machine.

I have Administrator passwords set on the XP machines ... so why the devil am I able to walk right in with these other work stations.

At my home:

As an experiment today,I fired up my laptop which runs W2K Pro and networked it up with my desktop which runs XP Pro. Both p.c.'s are FAT32 file system.


Same thing happens.. I can walk right into the XP Pro machine with the W2K Pro laptop.

Thanks for the help.

 

Maybe because Fat 32 has no security?
NTFS really clamps that stuff down.

 

Has nothing to do with fat32! Or security either at this stage.

Has to do with crippled XP HOME!

I have found the best way with "HOME" is Netbeui. On the 2k machines, no problem just add the protocol.

But XP don't have available to add. So it has to be manually put into place, then it will add.

Here is the steps:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_n.htm

Let me know!

mike

 

You are right on the money Mike.

I errored when I said the XP HOME machines where FAT32 ... as I just logged onto our remote work location with PC Anywhere and they are indeed NTFS.

I have had Netbeiu installed on all the p.c.'s at work for quite some time now ....including the XP HOME boxes.

I arrived home here last week and have been trying to get this figured with my XP PRO desktop machine and my W2K PRO laptop logging onto the XP PRO machine. I have Netbeui installed on both here as well.

I get the same problem with these two p.c.'s at home... you can slide right into the XP PRO desktop .... but going the other way logging onto the W2K laptop I am stopped by a password/user name window. Which is exactly what I want with the W2K machines logging onto the XP PRO or XP HOME machines.

I have searched and read,,, and tried a dozen different things but have come to a standstill.

Please ... your help is much appreciated.

Regards, Dave.

 

You have a login issue here!

Create a user and password on the Xp machine that is exactly what it is on the 2K machine. Exactly same user login, same password. Then login on both using that. Make sure the sharing is what you want.

Now see if it works.

If it works then this confirms the problem. Then all you will need to do is use it this way or create duplicate users with duplicate passwords on both.

Mike

 

Ding !!!! Right on the money Mike ... it works this way.

I created identical accounts/passwords on both the XP PRO desktopand W2K laptop.. and yes now when logging on with the W2K machine it does indeed ask for the password.

Sooooo... now do you have any suggestions to this scenerio.

We have 8 W2K machines and 3 of these XP HOME machines onsite. All have Netbeui installed and all are in the same workgroup.

Our p.c. users are inexperianced when it comes to the basic operation of a p.c.

How would you suggest to secure these XP machines from the others running the W2K machines from accessing these XP boxes.

Create a new workgroup on the XP machines perhaps ?

I am not sure what the best way to address this would be.

Thank you for all your help, it is very much appreciated.

Best regards, Dave.

 

Good morning Dave

No the account that I had you create was only to confirm that this was a login problem. And as I said for yourself you can keep them.

But the way to control access is by creating user accounts and passwords on all machines that are all identical and tune the permissions.

No need to create a new workgroup.

You said the XP HOMEs had ntfs but did you mean that the others were in fact fat32.

If so you need to convert to ntfs to get the additional security that this offers.

If you have partitions and that is where the data is then you only need convert the partition. You can leave the OS on FAT32.

But on an ntfs partition you can handle access as you want!

Mike

 

Good Morning,

I am digesting this information

The XP HOME boxes are NTFS and the rest of the W2K p.c.'s are FAT32.

All data is sitting on FAT32 drives ... sorry.

I suppose I could go in and create NTFS partitions on the critical p.c.'s when I get back up to the minesite at the end of the month. I have Partition Magic 8.0 which has proved very usefull.

All of the W2K machines have been setup to logon as Administrator plus a password.

The two machines in the warehouse have database login scripts running at Administrator logon.

So ... I should create identical accounts on the XP machines.. but when I try to do that XP tells me ... nope ya can not create another Administrator account use something else.

So.. if I go and create new user accounts on all the W2K p.c.'s I can imagine the puzzled looks and howlin' ... eegaddss I can hear it all now.

I hope I have explained myself correctly .. and have understood your directions properly. But do you see my problem now.

Thanks for your patiance.

 

Dave

If you are in charge of all this setup and config you are a sitting duck!

You need some professional IS help.

I will try to help. There are a lot of details but here are the basic steps.

So that you can see the difference rt click on a folder on an ntfs machine and look at user security. Then do the same on a fat32. You will see many things and selections that are not there on a fat32.

You do not "have" to create "new" ntfs partitions. Even if you did this it would then require an almost complete reconfiguration of the system because you would then have to move folders from the original partition to the new ntfs and then go to ea W/S and set it to look in a different place than now.

Looks like the best solution now is to convert what you have.

You should only have to use NTFS on the KEY computers, not all!
You have some kind of important data, these are the ones that need ntfs. You should maybe look at consolidating these to less computers, move to one.

Appearently you have a peer to peer since you did not mention a Server. What I mean about consolidating the important data to less computers is if you do not have a full fledged Server then you can treat one of the XP or 2K machines as a server.

If the important data is centralized to a single computer then it is easier to protect and backup.

SO! Some reccomendations to make this easier and to get you into a safer position.

1. ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR GOURD? SMILE! DO NOT LET ANYONE EXCEPT YOU OR OTHER QUALIFIED COMPUTER ADMINISTRATORS LOG IN AS ADMINISTRATOR.

Set them to user or power user status.

2. DO NOT SHARE ENTIRE DRIVES!

Share only the folders the users need to access! Reduce any unnessesary shares.

Setting up security is easier than creating new partitions and then reconfiguring all applications.

It is easy to convert existing drives in place to ntfs.

Enough for now. So if you have more questions get back.

Mike

 

Whewww ... yup I am the old boy that they will try to hang out to dry. Let 'em get at it is all I can say

They are WAY too cheap to bring in tech help so I am it ...

I appreciate your input and will put it to good use.

Yes this is a peer to peer setup.

I do have one of the W2K machines setup as a half baked server where I have a new MP2 Datastream database stored and the relevant work stations sharing the database off of it. So if I follow your instructions to the letter I may get out of this with no more added grey hair .... HA !!!!

I have always been lerry of going in and converting an up and running FAT32 C drive over to NTFS ... will this cause me more grief ?

I can access these p.c.'s from here using PC Anywhere so I will start unsharing some of the folders AND the drives.

BTW... all of this beautiful setup was in place before they conscripted this old fossil to try and straighten it out.

Thanks again kind sir ... for all of your help. Tis most considerate of you.

 

No no no!

Don't try to do it with users up. Get them off and unplug the Hub/Switch to make sure.

I have been doing this professionally for a long time and even I would not try too do this remotely. Better go there!

Then you need to cleanup temps etc, run chkdsk /r to prepare for the conversion.

DON'T make too many changes to the shares to quickly.

Mike

 

Egadss ... pardner I guess I have luck on my side.

I removed most of the sharing on the XP p.c.'s except for one folder on each which I will allow for transfer of files.

All are still running.

I best leave the rest alone till I get back onsite.

I have just been informed that they are adding another variable to all this ... a wireless setup from the warehouse up to the mine dry on the side of the mountain. Should make life interesting ..huh ?

Solectek MP wireless bridge I belive is what they said they where installing.

Thanks for throwing the brakes on me.... guess I have no fear at this stage of the game

 

You said they were installing! That's good "they ".

OK to do the conversion ntfs here is what I would do.

As I said get everyone off this computer then unplug this computer from the hub/switch.

Backup and verify that you trust the backup.

Basically you need to cleanup 1st.

These steps this order:

Configure CleanMgr to max settings
Go to Start-Run and type

cleanmgr /sageset:1
The above need only be ran once (these settings will be remembered as the default until another sageset is ran).

It will present a menu select all except compress, then

Go to Start-Run and type

cleanmgr /sagerun:1
As long as /sageset above has been ran on this computer from now on the /sagerun is the only thing that needs to run.
---------------------------------------------------
Spyware and adware removal

SpyBot http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download

Run this twice delete all it finds, "ALWAYS" run this before AdAware.

Leave all it wants to leave after the second run.
---------------------------------------------------
AdAware 6.0 http://www.lavasoft.com

Run only after SpyBot!

Make sure to configure to Max settings, all files and compressed files.Delete all it finds

BHO Demon http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm

A BHO is like a autostart/startup that only runs when you run the Browser.

This program runs stand alone no install is required post me the items it finds other than the below. Normal entries here would be Acro….. (Acrobat Reader) or Nav…. (Norton Anti virus).
---------------------------------------------------
Registry and System cleaners

RegCleaner http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/shtml/regcleaner.shtml

Look in first 2 cols for programs you thought you uninstalled or removed, these are the dregs left by the uninstaller. Also tag and remove any that you are POSITIVE are not supposed to be on your computer. After removing these go to the top Tools-Registry Cleanup-Do them all. Delete all it finds.
---------------------------------------------------
EasyClean1.7 http://gswi.com/downloads.htm

Run only unnecessary files and registry clean delete all it finds. If you have ME or XP in the "Unnessesary Files" type the word HELP in the skip box. Do not do Duplicate files!
---------------------------------------------------
RegScrubXP http://home.carolina.rr.com/lexunfreeware/RegScrubXP/RegScrubXP.htm

NOTE: W2K and XP only

Select RegScrub finds problems and remove all it finds.

The above should clean temps registry and spy/adware.

The system performance should also improve after all of the above.

Now update the Virus scanner and do a full deep virus scan make sure all files and compressed files are checked.

If OK!

Now go to the command line and type

chkdsk /r let it reboot to finish

Then defrag.

It may be OK to convert here but the below is optional

Boot to safe mode then clear the event logs save if you want. Then reboot to full mode and immediately go to the event logs and look. Since you cleared them in safe mode there will be an entry about the event logs and safe mode ignore this.

But look at the entries here since we cleared and rebooted and then immediately check the logs only entries from the boot process will be here now.

There are always some informational entries and warnings but look for any errors especially concerning the file system and HD.

If everything looks good! Backup again! I told you, if you don't it is up to you.

NOW!

Convert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike

Once it is up and running good on NTFS what do we do now????




_BACKUP!

 

Wheeww ... I have printed this all off for hands on reference.

Thankyou so much for your time and patiance, I will follow your steps to the letter.

As I do not fly back up to the Yukon till the end of the month, I will do nothing as per instructions. I will report back the findings you have requested.

I spose I could practice on this laptop of mine at home here. I have no data or critical files to lose on it.

BTW.. you mentioned backup on several occasions, which I do regularly with the database's. What would you consider a proper backup for these machines. Eg: which folders and files other than the database folders.

Thank you again for your time and knowledge... I also have many years under my belt... in another technical field. So I understand very well the years of knowledge and experience you have just passed on to me.

You have given me a gift, kind sir... and I thankyou for the dedicated effort.

Best regards... Dave.

 

Hello Dave

Will get you some more info over the weekend. Been pretty busy.

You asked about what kind of backup.

I mean "HD fails" they call you all excited "its gone what are we gonna do ". And you just smile and say well OK you get the new HD and I will have it back up in about 30 minutes after I get there.

That is the kind of backup I mean!

The way that I do it is with Partition Magic and Drive Image by PowerQuest. Been doing it for years and it is about as fast and accurate as anything. Works for me.

I would get these two programs.

Will give instructions and steps sometime over the weekend.

Mike

PS While I am thinking about it you may want to let me know when you go there and I will try to be availabe by phone if nessesary in any case here is my home email mflynn@LexComInc.net (caps not nessesary).

By the way I probably know as much about the Yukon as you because I grew up watching "Seargent Preston of the Yukon" and his wonder dog "Yukon King ". Klondike and Dawson City! Lol, Lol!

 

You just take your time... as I know you must be busy. Thanks for the email link I sahll send you a message from here and the minesite.

http://members.shaw.ca/cantungphotos/

http://members.shaw.ca/cantung/

I put up a couple of websites for the boy's to show their families. See if you can find the wonder wolf/dog in the pics.

I also have P.Magic 8.0 and Drive Image 2002 ... it is very magical when it comes to those ... moments. I have also been tring out the new Norton Ghost ... but prefer the Drive Image.

I am trying to talk them into nukin' those XP boxes and going with W2K installs.

Thanks again... I now know the type of backup to cdrw we speak of

Dave.

 

Good

I'll look at the sites asap.

No wouldn't go back to 2k although that is what I use at home and I like it. But under my admin at work are may XPs and 2Ks and my personal w/s at the office is XP and I like it just as well and it is the latest.

Just take it up to XP Pro. It is the HOME that is the problem, HOME is too neutered for a home user I think, but for a bussiness for sure. Wasn't designed for bussiness use.

Gotta run.....

Mike