Can't disable password protected file sharing

[Guest janie]

Hello, I have 2 networking/file sharing problems with Vista Home Premium

that appeared suddenly and arbitrarily.

 

I successfully added a Vista Home Prem machine to my existing network over 6

weeks ago. A printer is attached to the Vista machine. I do not have a

print server on my router, so I need to ensure the Vista machine is booted up

in order to print from the XP machine. The addition of the Vista machine

went flawlessly. I changed the security settings in Vista to Private

Network. I enabled file sharing, but did not enable password protection.

 

We could share files (simple file sharing in XP) and print from the Xp

machine until 3 days ago. Suddenly we were denied printing and prompted for

User names and passwords when navigating to the Vista machine's public

folder. No new programs had been installed (we had been on vacation) and no

settings had been changed. Right before we left for vacation, I printed off

directions for our trip, then when I returned - printer access denied and

password prompts. We went from Camelot to HADES. Blast it, I'm never going

on vacation again. Here's where I need help:

 

TURN OFF PASSWORD? I have tried to turn off password protected sharing in

the Sharing and Discovery section of the Network and Sharing window, but am

unable to complete the change. I select the appropriate radio button and

click Apply, but nothing changes. I am an administrator on the computer.

 

LESS CUMBERSOME PROCESS? The work around I'm using is tedious. I changed

the XP machine to Advanced File Sharing. In order to use the printer

attached to the Vista machine, I must navigate to the other machine's public

folder, which prompts me for a user name and password. Only after inputting

this information, I can print. Is there an easier way to do this?

 

This is frustrating as heck, so any help would be appreciated. Janie!

[Guest petruc]

The not being able to turn password file protection off problem happened

to me after I put a password on the Guest account, via running prompt

command as administrator and typing _Net_user_Guest_password_. I had to

go back to command prompt as administrator, type _Net_user_Guest_\"\"_

and then it was possible again to deactivate password protected file

sharing.

 

I saw in another forum a guy who had the same problem when he was

adding new users to the machine, and he had to change passwords of all

accounts (or add ones to the accounts that didn't had password) in order

to resolve the problem. I hope this helps you a little... Good luck!

 

 

--

petruc

[Guest janie]

Thank you for responding. I will try your suggestions.

 

"petruc" wrote:

<span style="color:blue">

>

> The not being able to turn password file protection off problem happened

> to me after I put a password on the Guest account, via running prompt

> command as administrator and typing _Net_user_Guest_password_. I had to

> go back to command prompt as administrator, type _Net_user_Guest_""_

> and then it was possible again to deactivate password protected file

> sharing.

>

> I saw in another forum a guy who had the same problem when he was

> adding new users to the machine, and he had to change passwords of all

> accounts (or add ones to the accounts that didn't had password) in order

> to resolve the problem. I hope this helps you a little... Good luck!

>

>

> --

> petruc

> </span>

[Guest Nebelpfade]

Thank you a lot, I had this same problem, and disabling the Guest's

password allowed me to disable the file sharing password.

 

 

--

Nebelpfade

[Guest ronc]

Thanks. Even the /? help dialog did not mention the "" to remove the

guest password.

 

 

--

ronc

[Guest Hank Arnold (MVP)]

ronc wrote:<span style="color:blue">

> Thanks. Even the /? help dialog did not mention the "" to remove the

> guest password.

>

> </span>

 

In the future, could you please attach at least a portion of the post

you are replying to? I have no clue as to the specific problem or any

responses.... Thanks.

 

BTW, why do you even have a guest id active? This could a HUGE

security exposure.

 

--

 

Regards,

Hank Arnold

Microsoft MVP

Windows Server - Directory Services