I am new to Windows 2003 server, and most of what I have done so far has been trial and error. I have two computers, a server running 2003 SP1 RC2 and a test machine running 2000 Pro SP4. Basically I can log on to the domain, connect to the folder I have shared, but I can't access any of the files. However, on the server I can access the test machine and dump files on it. I have created a domain, turned on file sharing, and added a user to the domain/users folder. I appear to have all the permissions to access the folder, but it wont let me. If I log on to the test machine using the admin login/password I do have full access to the files on the server. I know that this is a permissions problem, but everywhere I look my user account for the test machine has full access to the shared files on the server.

Set the permission of your folder into Everyone. So that everyone can access the folder that you shared. SHENGTON MASAYA BASTA MAY BEER...c",

Try an explicit permission. Add the user you want to connect to the ACL and grant appropriate permissions and try connecting again. Are you able to access the files? Using the Everyone group is never a good idea on the NTFS permissions. It's ok to use that group on the "Sharing" Tab. On the "Security" Tab (NTFS perm's) you want to use the built in groups like "domain users", or groups you create, or possibly the user accounts themselves as in this case. In a large environment groups are always the best way to go but if this is a small home environment, it's not a whole lot extra work to use the user account.

I have set the folder to allow everyone read-only access. I created a specific user in the domain/user group with full sharing priviledges. This is the user I use to log the client machine onto the domain. I can see the shared folder, I can open the shared folder, but I can't copy or open any of the files inside it. What does ACL stand for by the way?

Look closely at what Curt is saying. I think he may have your answer. Remember that when you share a folder you have two sets of permissions - share permissions and file permissions. You can view the Share permissions of the shared folder by clicking on the "Permissions" button when you share the folder. The default permission is Everyone Read with Windows 2003. (This is probably the cause of your problem by the way.) The file permissions are views by looking on the Security Tab. Share permissions are only enforced on files accesses across the network which would explain why you can access the files when you log on locally. When the two sets of permissions combine, the most restrictive permission is the result. So, I usually set the 'Share' permissions to Everyone Full Control. But as Curt say, I only do this is I have the file permissions (NTFS) permissions in place. If you have the permissions set as you want them on the Security tab you may be able to fix your problem by opening up the permission on the Permissions tab. Good luck.

Ok, I have tried what both of you have said and I am confused. Please remember I said I have very little idea how this server works and am doing most of it by trial and error. I have gone to the sharing tab and clicked on permissions. I have added a user to the list and given them full access to the file. Next I have gone to the security tab and added the user there with full access. I still get the same message: Access Denied. If I log on to the client machine using the server admin login/password I have full access to these files. I have checked the share permissions and the security permissions and they are the same as the other user's permissions. Please could you either take me through, step by step, how to add a user to the domain and set up file sharing or point me to a relevant guide. I'm beginning to get a little annoyed by this, mainly because I know it'll be something really simple. Thank you.

I'll try but this might be tough to do here. You said this user is a member of the domain right? If not, do a google search on how to add a user to the domain. The file you want to access are on the server, right? So create a folder on the server called Folder1. Put a file in it. Right click on the folder (not the file) and share it as Folder1. On the Permissions tab add Everyone, give them full control. ( for this experiment we are going to give everyone full control and work backward.) The right click on Folder1, go to the Security Tab and add Everyone and give them Full Control. Now on the client, click on Start, go to Run and in the Run box, put in \\servername (the name of the server that has Folder1 on it). Click OK. You should see a box come up with all the shared folders and Folder1 should be in that list. See if you can access the file.