Windows 98 connecting to Samba

[RandyRiegel]

I have setup many winxp machines to connect to my samba network etc. In XP I can just type "net use f: \\server\share" and it uses the username and password I logged into windows with to map my drives. And it remembers them once mapped.

I also have a few Win98 machines still in use on my network and even though I log into windows using my samba username and password I still have to put the password in my net use command in order for it to work. (ex: net use \\server\share mypassword"). It then uses the windows username and the password entered to map the drive. BUT, then it doesn't remember it either. I also tried mapping from Net Neighborhood and it doesn't give me the option to "Reconnect at startup". How can I get Win98 to remember drives and use both the username and password I type into the "Microsoft Networking" dialog at startup?

Randy

 

[TekTippy4U]

try TweakUI - Logon Tab

http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/downloads/powertoys/networking/nttweakui.asp?

and / or in Network >> Client for MS Networks (or Netware) >> Properties there's settings in there for what you need i think.
also make sure the Client is listed as the "Primary Network Logon"

TT4U

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[TekTippy4U]

Hi again Randy;
wonder if the active directory supplement (client ext's) would also be beneficial as well (perhaps not to fix this particular prob).

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/evaluation/news/bulletins/adextension.asp

TT4U

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[TekTippy4U]

Hi again Randi;
See the MTSUTIL.txt file found on the 98 CDROM at
<Drive>:\tools\mtsutil folder
especially this;

===============================================================
PTXT_ON.INF - SENDS PLAIN-TEXT PASSWORDS TO YOUR NETWORK SERVER
===============================================================

For security reasons, Windows 98 will not allow you to send plain-
text passwords. The password is encrypted by default. However,
Samba servers require plain-text passwords, so you will not be able
to connect to Samba servers unless you change a Registry entry to
enable plain-text passwords.

Caution: Enabling plain-text passwords could compromise security.

To enable plain-text passwords, add the Registry entry for
EnablePlainTextPassword (as a Dword) and set the value to 1 in the
following Registry location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System
\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\Vnetsup

--------------------------------------------------
To set the value for EnablePlainTextPassword to 1:
--------------------------------------------------

1. Select PTXT_ON.INF found in the \Tools\MTSutil folder on the
Windows 98 CD.

2. Right-Click PTXT_ON.INF.
-or-
Hold down the SHIFT key and press the function key, F10.

3. Choose INSTALL to add the EnablePlainTextPassword entry and set
its value to 1.

===============================

hth


TT4U

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[Rick998]

RandyRiegel,

Our web content authors still use Win 98 PC's to connect to Samba shares on various Linux servers. If they get problems, we do the following on their Win 98 PC's.

1) Use 'Start > Find > Files or Folders'.
2) Look for files named *.pwl in C:\Windows and delete all that are found. (These are Windows Password List Files and can sometimes become corrupted.).
3) Re-boot.
4) At the logon prompt, use the Samba username for the user ID but leave the password blank.
5) Browse the network for the Samba box. When you find it, open or explore it to see the shares.
6) When you try to 'Map network drive' on one of the Samba shares, check the 'Reconnect at logon' box before clicking on OK.
7) You'll be prompted for a password. Enter the password and check the 'Remember password' box.

This should not only remember the password but stop you needing to use 'net use'.

Hope this helps...

Rick

 

[TekTippy4U]

hi rick998;
for my own knowledge - would the procedure you outline also transmit a Plain Text Password?...or would it totally bypass the need?

TT4U

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[Rick998]

Hi TekTipp4U,

It uses Windows 98's default method, i.e. to store and transmit the password as encrypted. Unfortunately, we're talking Windows 98 so the encryption on the PWL files is, umm, weak to say the least.

The only problems we have are that in my department we use plug-in-and-go SME (Linux) servers that require encrypted passwords yet corporate Linux servers require the password to be sent as plain-text 'cos their Samba config files are different.

Regards,

Rick

 

[TekTippy4U]

hi rick998
as I see, no matter the win98 encryption is weak, it's better than plain text. I ask because I was wondering about possible compromised security issues associated with transmitting plain text passwords and what can be done about that.
thanks for the info.

TT4U

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