Can't disable password protected file sharing

Hello, I have 2 networking/file sharing problems with Vista Home Premium
that appeared suddenly and arbitrarily.

I successfully added a Vista Home Prem machine to my existing network over 6
weeks ago. A printer is attached to the Vista machine. I do not have a
print server on my router, so I need to ensure the Vista machine is booted up
in order to print from the XP machine. The addition of the Vista machine
went flawlessly. I changed the security settings in Vista to Private
Network. I enabled file sharing, but did not enable password protection.

We could share files (simple file sharing in XP) and print from the Xp
machine until 3 days ago. Suddenly we were denied printing and prompted for
User names and passwords when navigating to the Vista machine's public
folder. No new programs had been installed (we had been on vacation) and no
settings had been changed. Right before we left for vacation, I printed off
directions for our trip, then when I returned - printer access denied and
password prompts. We went from Camelot to HADES. Blast it, I'm never going
on vacation again. Here's where I need help:

**TURN OFF PASSWORD? I have tried to turn off password protected sharing in
the Sharing and Discovery section of the Network and Sharing window, but am
unable to complete the change. I select the appropriate radio button and
click Apply, but nothing changes. I am an administrator on the computer.

**LESS CUMBERSOME PROCESS? The work around I'm using is tedious. I changed
the XP machine to Advanced File Sharing. In order to use the printer
attached to the Vista machine, I must navigate to the other machine's public
folder, which prompts me for a user name and password. Only after inputting
this information, I can print. Is there an easier way to do this?

This is frustrating as heck, so any help would be appreciated. Janie!

The not being able to turn password file protection off problem happened to me after I put a password on the Guest account, via running prompt command as administrator and typing Net user Guest password. I had to go back to command prompt as administrator, type Net user Guest "" and then it was possible again to deactivate password protected file sharing.

I saw in another forum a guy who had the same problem when he was adding new users to the machine, and he had to change passwords of all accounts (or add ones to the accounts that didn't had password) in order to resolve the problem. I hope this helps you a little... Good luck!

Thank you for responding. I will try your suggestions.

"petruc" wrote:

Thank you a lot, I had this same problem, and disabling the Guest's password allowed me to disable the file sharing password.

Thanks. Even the /? help dialog did not mention the "" to remove the guest password.

ronc wrote: In the future, could you please attach at least a portion of the post
you are replying to? I have no clue as to the specific problem or any
responses.... Thanks.

BTW, why do you even have a guest id active? This could a *HUGE*
security exposure.

--

Regards,
Hank Arnold
Microsoft MVP
Windows Server - Directory Services