Computer networking (off topic)

I have a 98se a Xp and a vista all networked together with file sharing. The 98 computer can see the vista computer but can't open the files on it. It can see and open the files on the XP. Both the Xp and vista computer can see and open the files on on the other 2. In other words everything works correct on all 3 except the 98 computer can't open the vista files.

L.D.

Misconception: Windows 95 can't read a shared disk on another networked computer if the disk uses the FAT32 or NTFS file system. Windows 95/98/Me can't read a shared disk on another networked computer if the disk uses the NTFS file system.

Fact: The file system of a shared disk is irrelevant. Every computer knows how to read its own disk and make its contents available to other computers over the network.

Explanation : The original release of Windows 95 can't read a FAT32 partition on its own local hard disk. Windows 95/98/Me can't read an NTFS partition on their own local hard disks. These restrictions don�t apply to networked disk access.

from here.

Vista has done stuff to improve the baseline security. It sounds like it's giving Win98 in this case the ability to "list" but not "read" files.

I don't have Vista installed currently to play with from home, but check out the link below. It could very well be the authentication issue -- see the section called "Cannot Authenticate to a Shared Folder from a Windows Vista-based Computer" and then there's link from there how to fix Win98 to work with Vista.

It's a fairly technical fix, but it shouldn't be dangerous as long as you follow the directions exactly -- in engine terms, kind of like changing a timing belt...anyone with basic wrench skills can do it, but if you mess up on a step ya just made a whole lot of work for yourself or someone else to fix :)

• Link

It sounds like the Vista disk (or partition) is formatted as NTFS and the XP disk (or partition) is formatted as FAT32, as is the 98SE one. I think the NTFS format is the default for both Vista and XP, especially if the disk or partition size is greater than 32gb. Anyway, when I installed XP on my 98SE disk for a dual boot system, I specifically formatted the XP partition as FAT32 just so my 98SE OS could see the files on the XP partition. See here for the Microsoft explanation of the situation.

Something to check out anyway.

Rod

Rod,
How do I check how the systems are formatted? I read the link and you can change the format. I would consider doing that on the 98SE. If the 98 and xp are the same, then as I read, that would not be the problem. Am I correct?
L.D.

Anyway you need to confirm the actual formatting on the systems you have. The 98SE one will be FAT32 for sure. I'm not sure if you can verify it from 98SE w/o using third party partitioning software. But here's how you check the XP one:

1. Right click on "My Computer" and select "Manage"
2. In the window that pops up, go to "Storage" and click on "Disk Management"
3. Maximize the resulting window so you can see everything
4. You should see both a list and a graphic showing all the partitions on your hard disk. There may only be one if your disk is not setup with multiple partitions
5. There should be an indication of the file system being used - e.g. FAT32 or NTFS

I suspect the same procedure would apply to Vista but I don't know.

In any event, if you find your XP machine is FAT32 and your Vista machine is NTFS, that formatting is likely your problem. As far as I know, an NTFS formatted machine can see and open files on a FAT32 one but not the other way around. Another thing to consider is I don't think that 98SE can see anything if the disk or partition is larger 32gb, even if it is formatted as FAT32. I'm not sure on this since all my partitions are less than 32gb even though my disks are not.

As long as your XP disk is formatted as FAT32 (like your 98SE one) and is less than 32gb in size, you should be able to read all the files on it from your 98SE machine and vice versa. Otherwise, there is some other issue involved, like folders not being properly shared or password access or something.

My XP and Vista computers are NTFS and the 98 is FAT 32. That seems to be the problem. Another problem may be is the C drive on the vista is 33.5 GB. However the c drive on the XP is 87GB and the 98 can read it. There is no way I want to change my xp and Vista to fat32 and it is thought that I can't change the 98 to NTFS. So I will just live with what I have. At least I have found the problem. I sure do thank you all.
L.D.

Or, you can double click my computer, then right click your c drive, and select properties. File system type will tell you if the disk was formatted ntsf or fat.

NTSF file systems allow user access permissions to be set on a file. FAT doesn't, and a FAT formatted file system can't read the permissions granted by NTSF....

Link