Sharing Samba Folders to Windows XP Client

I have actually updated this tutorial already for a newer version of Kubuntu. You can read it here: Kubuntu 8.10 and Samba.

But guess what, nobody with a Samba problem who landed here is taking the time to look. :)

You should. The process is much easier now.

And you can consider the rest of this tutorial - Obsolete.

This is a quick and dirty way to share samba folders to Windows XP.

1. Modify smb.conf in your Kubuntu Linux accordingly. (You can find smb.conf in the etc directory)

/* smb.conf */

[global]
logon drive = p: // Here you can set the drive letter
encrypt passwords = yes

/* To allow only specific hosts who can connect to server below entry is used make sure localhost is added */

hosts allow = IP-address, 127.0.0.1/255.255.255.0

logon home = \\netbiosname\%U // home directories will be mounted as the user logs on.

passwd program = /usr/bin/passwd %u

wins support = yes //Enable the windows support
dns proxy = no

netbios name = wealhtheow //Set the netbiosname

netbios aliases = rch01 //Set the alias, this is optional

unix password sync = No //Sync the unix passwords

logon path = \\rch01\profiles\%U // This will tell the server where to place the home directories

workgroup = rch.uky.edu // Workgroup to be used, all clients should have the same workgroup

os level = 64 // set the OS level

// Below entries are important in order to tell that Samba server is the domain controller
domain logons = yes
pam password change = yes
preferred master = yes
domain master = yes
local master = yes

[homes]
comment = Home Directories
browseable = no
writable = yes
valid users = %S
read only = no
create mode = 0600
directory mode = 0700

logon home = \\rch01\%U // This tells where is the home directory for the user

hide files = /*.pst/

[profiles]
create mode = 0600
directory mode = 0700
path = /home/samba/profiles/
profile acls = yes
read only = no
writable = yes

2. Then follow the instructions in this link http://www.faqs.org/docs/samba/ch03.html
This link is a very lengthy chapter. But some points to remember are:
Your Windows XP user account must have an equivalent user account in Linux.
Example:

mrcoolwong - windows xp user account
mrcoolwong - linux user account

To be able to access the linux samba shared folders, you must login in Windows XP using mrcoolwong.


References:

https://www.ccs.uky.edu/docs/samba.htm
http://www.faqs.org/docs/samba/toc.html
http://www.faqs.org/docs/samba/ch03.html