Weird Windows File Sharing Issue
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 2:22 am
I've got some files shared on my computer on the dorm LAN. I've got WinXP SP2 and simple file sharing disabled so that I can require authentication to access the shares.
Here's the problem: some folders and files simply aren't visible in the shares. Of course, I've checked to make sure that the permissions are trickling down and what not. And I've tried disabling my firewall. And what not.
But here's the thing:
Troubleshooting, I discovered that by renaming a directory, it will affect (somehow) which files are visible to others in it, consistently, and repeatably, in that I get the same slew of files viewable across the same computers every time. I can even rename the directory to one thing and then rename it back and forth and get repeatable results. I thought that there might be a maximum path length issue, but I produced counter examples where shorter directory names produced fewer files shared.
Some directories just seem fine too.
Has anyone else encountered this or know what could be causing this? Why renaming a directory might affect which directories and folders are visible to other viewers?
Here's the problem: some folders and files simply aren't visible in the shares. Of course, I've checked to make sure that the permissions are trickling down and what not. And I've tried disabling my firewall. And what not.
But here's the thing:
Troubleshooting, I discovered that by renaming a directory, it will affect (somehow) which files are visible to others in it, consistently, and repeatably, in that I get the same slew of files viewable across the same computers every time. I can even rename the directory to one thing and then rename it back and forth and get repeatable results. I thought that there might be a maximum path length issue, but I produced counter examples where shorter directory names produced fewer files shared.
Some directories just seem fine too.
Has anyone else encountered this or know what could be causing this? Why renaming a directory might affect which directories and folders are visible to other viewers?