The last couple of times I tried to set up file sharing it was between an XP machine and a W2K machine and I never had good success. Is there an easier way to transfer large amounts of data without getting a huge external hd? Is setting up file sharing on two XP boxes on the same network as simple as a few clicks? Do the workgroups have to be the same, etc?

7/31/2008 9:25:53 AM

step1. make sure filesharing is allowed through the firewall on both machines (or turn the firewalls off)
step2. make sure both machines have an account in the administrator group and that the accounts have passwords.
step3. from computer1 go to \\computer2\c$ and login with an administrator account on computer2.

by default drives are shared and accessable by administrators using \\computername\driveletter$. Accounts must have passwords as accounts without passwords are not allowed to login remotely.

Protip: make the regular account you use on both computers an administrator with the same username and password. When you go to access \\computername\driveletter$ it will first try to login with your active credentials.

If you want to create open shares, then just share a folder and make sure you set permissions correctly. Then go to \\computername\share. If you're doing this you may want to turn of simple file sharing. In an explorer window go to tools -> folder options -> view tab and uncheck simple file sharing.

7/31/2008 9:33:19 AM

administrative shares ftw

7/31/2008 9:35:36 AM

Quote :

"Protip: make the regular account you use on both computers an administrator with the same username and password. When you go to access \\computername\driveletter$ it will first try to login with your active credentials."

I've always wondered... wouldn't this leave an open window (no pun intended) for abuse in the very unlikely scenario where someone with the same login/pass was trying to access your system. Assuming all other forms of protection weren't in place. Seems like it would be more secure to always prompt for user/pass. But I guess the person could always put in their user/pass and get in anyway.

7/31/2008 11:43:18 AM

Its always possible, but like you already said they could just put in their own username/pw. Its a convenience thing on the client side.

7/31/2008 11:46:41 AM

Quote :

"someone with the same login/pass"

This can't happen if you use proper passwords.

7/31/2008 12:03:10 PM

Can't, or extremely unlikely? Like less than your chances of winning two consecutive lotteries.

7/31/2008 12:17:28 PM

The way I do my passwords, infinitely improbable.

7/31/2008 12:25:46 PM

he's not bluffing folks....how you been btw?^

7/31/2008 12:40:07 PM

I use passwords with non-printable and Unicode characters on any system that allows it. I also don't use any password less than 8 characters (typically 12-20 characters). I am more likely to find another person that shits 100-carat diamonds than someone that has the same password as I do.

Some of the best characters to use are line-break and tab characters, since even if somone knew your password, most people wouldn't know how to enter it.

8/1/2008 6:27:51 PM

i'm pretty sure gs7's password is more like a pass-phrase exceeding 40+ characters

8/1/2008 6:30:56 PM

I would use passphrases, but too many systems have maximum password lengths, which is total shit because that would indicate they're not storing the passwords properly.

8/1/2008 6:34:46 PM

^ especially bank online websites

8 character limit?

i dont have a password under 15 characters

8/2/2008 9:24:40 AM