Windows XP - removing "program files" access restriction

I back up my files to a tape streamer on a different PC. This PC can't see the "program files" folder on my XP PC as access is denied. Is it possible to remove this restriction, so that I can back up important work?

 

1. What are you using for backup software?
2. Are you trying to push the backup from the source PC or to pull it from the destination PC?
3. What OS does the PC with the tape have?

Sorry if I missed something.

 

Make sure you have file and printer sharing enabled.

 

I'm using 1safe. I'm trying to "pull" the folder from a W98 PC, but it would be the same from any PC. If you try to share the program files folder it's greyed out with the comment "all the options on this tab are disabled because this folder is used by the operating system". That's still the case even when the entire disk is shared.

I could of course reinstall the tape backup and software on the XP machine, but I'd rather leave it where it is. Surely there is some way of allowing remote access to the folder. There's no such restriction in Windows 2000. Ity would have to be full access otherwise the software would be unable to reset the archive flags and every file would get saved every night.

 

I do have file and printer sharing enabled. This is a problem (sorry, feature) specific to the program files folder.

 

What OS?

What folders do you have shared?

Its possible you can share Program Files specifically, that it might work.

Sharing your C:\ drive for sure won't do the job.

By default, three folders are strictly hands off with networking in XP:

1. Windows
2. Documents and Settings
3. Proggram Files


Now theoretically, individually sharing those folders will get you past the problem. However, that might not work. If you have XP Pro, you can change these permissions. Go to My Computer, Tools, Folder Options, then scroll down and uncheck "use simple file sharing".

Now you'll need to log in with username/password to access this machine on the network. Also, you can right click the Program Files folder, and go to properties, then click on the security tab for permissions.

Be careful--you can affect permissions that will keep your machine from being able to access the folder, and that would be bad, mmmkay?

 

I'm confused? (No surprise there.)

OK, that sounds as if the backup software and the tape is on the XP box?

That's normal...

There's my confusion. How many machines are there here? I had the impression, obviously wrong, that it was a 2 machine problem, one was xp with software and tape, trying to pull a backup from a 98 machine. This sounds as if maybe the backup stuff isn't in the xp box? Or there are more than 2 boxes?

I was going to say that you can "maybe" avoid all restrictions if the software is 98 compatible and if you install it on the 98 box. If you push the backup from the 98 box instead of pulling it, you "should" be able to choose any files and folders you want to back up and then push and save the backup to a network share. I just don't know if that particular software can install on the 98 machine and run the tape. Sorry for the confusion...Can the software do that?

 

From what I am reading, the OS that is denying access is XP. Really, it has to be, considering that 98 doesn't have any real network security, and absolutely no filesystem security.

Sounds like he is accessing XP, from a 98 machine, trying to backup XP's Program Files, to a tape backup hooked to the 98 machine.

 

I'm probably just confusing the issue, sorry, but I have a bit of tunnel vision towards defeating the file access restrictions across the network.

Outside the box a bit?

Is that 98 backup file size so big that you couldn't just push a backup to a folder on another computer's hdd? I think that acronis true image 9.0, $30 at newegg.com, will do incremental or differential backups across a network share that way.

I don't know if it is 98 compatible, and of course be sure about what I said.

Forgive, please? I know that isn't what you asked, but pushing is the way to defeat the locked network share files, so, just one more idea....

 

Well that's what I thought. Help me please - am I reading it wrong or is there a typo in the description of the problem, maybe...?

I have almost zilch experience with 98 on a network.

 

98 isn't the problem. XP is--with its restrictions.

Scenario:

I'm on a 98 machine. I open my XP share. From there I try to open Program Files. I get an access denied.

Thats what is happening.

 

I see it now, thanks.

I have to leave for the day - looks like you have it.

My $.02 is that the backup of program files etc. is probably going to be done from the local machine, and not pulled by remote, in this case.

Anyway, have at...

Happy New Year to both of you, btw

 

Thanks. Worth thinking about. I have about 10gb spare on another HDD which I could copy important stuff to and back it up from there. Nice lateral thinking!

 

Yes that's it in a nutshell.

 

I have XP Home, so there is no "advanced" file and printer sharing, and no security tab. I can't individually share "program files" as I said before.

I have overridden the restrictions on "documents and settings" though.

Apart from another suggestion to copy the files elsewhere and back up from there, I guess the only hope is that there is some registry setting I can change, but if so I don't know which.

Thanks for the suggestions. Next time I will make sure I get XP Professional, although PCs which come with this as standard are hard to find.

 

Permissions are available from Safe Mode then.