I am using windows 2003 server to run the back of the house for a point of sales system I'm mainly a *nix guy, but i'm forced to use this software and thus windows. All I'm saying is, I'm more than comfortable doing what i have to do, i just don't have the experience with this OS. One issue i'm currently having is: how do i enable a file share that requires no authentication whatso ever? I'm not using a domain, just a basic workgroup. I merely want to go on my 'terminal' pc's which are running win 2k, have them access the share "\\server2003\share-name" and that be it and not have to use any login/password info. I know it can be done with windows XP. I tried to map a network drive on the 2k 'terminal' machine, and save the l/p info, but when i rebooted it would not automatically remount the drive.

You will likely have to make it a persistent mapping. Open Windows Explorer (Start >> Programs >> Accessories >> Windows Explorer) and click on Tools on the main menu bar (at the top) and select "Map network drive". In the box that opens up set your path and check the "reconnect at logon" box. Then, you'll want to click on the "connect using another user name" link and set the username/password there. If it works properly, the drive should automatically map (using the credentials supplied) whenever the PC boots up.

Ok, on that folder that you are sharing you need to add a group called "EVERYONE" to the share and file permissions. Grant them the ones that you require (going to guess read/write/modify). That will make it so it won't require any authentication to acess those files. Holy Wow.

i tried both of those solutions and still wasn't able to get it to work properly. I just ended up creating an account on each terminal with the same username and blank password as an account on the server.

Uh, you really don't have to do that. You must be doing something wrong with permissions if you can't get the shares working properly. You're checking both NTFS and share permissions? Holy Wow.

NTFS file permisisions don't stop you from mapping a drive to a share. Give a person a fish, they eat for a day. Suggest they internet search and they learn a skill for a lifetime.

The Everyone group only implies all interactive and network *users*, meaning you've already authenticated with a logon account! In Server 2003, the Anonymous Logon is not contained within the Everyone group any more. Your workaround using windows passthrough authentication will work, but not for every scenario (ie using a non-windows OS). I've got this working previously in the following way: 1) Grant Anonymous Logon the desired rights on the Share, and NT permissions. 2) In local security policy (Local Policies>Security Options) Add the share name to "Network access: Shares that can be accessed anonymously". This wont require any username or password.