Backing up Program Files folder 1

[RayMunro]

As part of our back up system I want to copy each of our 4 PCs hard drives over the network to a USB external HDD. However none of the PCs will let me copy the Program Files folder. I have also found that I cannot access this folder from another pc on the network. This means that a program that is designed to be shared across the network or keeps its data in a subfolder of this folder cannot be used or accessed by another pc. I have tried to share these folders but sharing is grayed out. All four pcs are set up as administraters. Any suggestions would be most gratefully received

 

[smah]

If you disable simple file sharing, you can share anything you want. If you're in a workgroup environment, you will need all user accounts on each pc to allow access. For example, username1 on pc1 will need a user account on pc2 to access the files on pc2. To disable simple file sharing, open any explorer window, Tools, Folder Options, View, down at the bottom of the list, uncheck Use Simple File Sharing. Here's some info about File Sharing & Permissions:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

. Also use XP's Help & Support - lots of good stuff.

As to your backup problem, what are you using for a backup program? Or are you just copying? XP's ntbackup.exe backs up everything to network drives without problems.

 

[RayMunro]

Smah, thanks for your suggestions. I have turned off simple file sharing. Setting up user accounts on each pc did not work. Well, the accounts were set up but I did not find a way to access them from the other pcs. The strange thing is that, although I cannot access the Program Files directly, I can go to a sub folder and set it to share and it then comes up as a separate location on the network. It is a workaround but a bit unwieldy.
Thanks for your help.
Ray

 

[smah]

I bet I know why it didn't quite work. The user accounts also need to have the same passwords. In addition, by default xp won't allow blank passwords. If you have remote user accounts with blank passwords, go to Start, Run, secpol.msc, in Security Options, set 'Account: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only' to disabled.