Access Connections turns off file & print sharing

[mtroxel]

I searched for this but didn't find it. Everytime I connect to a new network Access Connections "decides" I don't need file/print sharing. I can't bring up Outlook without it as the .pst path is to the share (there's a good reason I have it set that way).

My AC is 4.23. Is there a way to tell it to stop turning off file print sharing? Everytime it does I have to re-enable it, then release/renew.

[jdhurst]

Check in the advanced settings for the profile you desire. It may take a minute or two for the Advanced setting to come up, but in there are settings for file and print sharing. I disable the F&P setting and have no difficulties. ... JDH

[mtroxel]

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough in my post. I know how to turn it off....after each time I make a new connection. But then it's a hassle to get file/print sharing turned back on....and I never want it turned off. Is there a way to configure AC so that it leaves file/print sharing alone? By default it always turns it off for me. I want it turned on and leave my settings alone.

[Wiz]

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough in my post. I know how to turn it off....after each time I make a new connection. But then it's a hassle to get file/print sharing turned back on....and I never want it turned off. Is there a way to configure AC so that it leaves file/print sharing alone? By default it always turns it off for me. I want it turned on and leave my settings alone.

When you create a profile using AC you can choose to not check the box "Network Security" and then AC should not disable or enable the file and printer sharing (your current settings should be used). I also think to leave the Network Security unchecked is the default settings. If you check this box you should click the settings button and then make sure "Disable file and printer sharing" is unchecked (which i also think is default). I think this is the settings jhurst is referring to.

Are you saying this doesn't work for you or is it me that don't understand your question?

[mtroxel]

I'm sure that would work, it's just a lot more clicking around than I want to do. Whenever I make a new connection, Network Security> Disable File Print Sharing is all checked by default. I'm just used to the Windows Zero Config thing where I don't have to do all this clicking around. Do you know a way I can set it so that the default setting is that File & Print Sharing isn't turned off?

[jdhurst]

What Wiz and I are trying to say to you is that if you uncheck the box in the Advanced Settings of Access Connections for File and Print sharing for each and every profile, then Access Connections will *never* bother File and Print Sharing as set by Windows.

I use F&P all the time. Everytime I go to a client, I connect to their server. I share files between my own two computers this way. I can assure you that by doing what I did in the first paragraph here, that file and print sharing is always available for use.

Don't forget, if you connect to a share, disconnect before turning off the computer or it will persist and try to reconnect even though you may be in a different place.

The last paragraph here has to do with Windows, not with Access Connections and not with Wireless Zero.
... JDH

[mtroxel]

uncheck the box in the Advanced Settings of Access Connections for File and Print sharing for each and every profile, then Access Connections will *never* bother File and Print Sharing as set by Windows.

I understand that. My problem is that every time I make a new connection, it turns off F & P sharing. I just had to go through a little dance here at a hotel. I connect to new networks all the time and don't want each NEW connection to have F & P sharing turned on by default. I don't want to have to remember to click about 5 times to turn it back on. Partly because it's a pain, and partly because I want control over my computer.

Absolutely every profile has network settings unchecked. Yet if I make a new profile it will have network settins, and F & P sharing, checked. Or...if I just connect and don't let it create a profile (which I often do on the run) it also turns off F & P sharing.

[jdhurst]

I think there is something wrong with your network properties.

I am becoming clearer on your situation, and I can say that *never* on any occassion whatsoever across my last 5 ThinkPads has Access Connections ever turned off Window File and Print Sharing. I can also recall the last 3 ThinkPads (because I have NetStumbler) that Wireless Zero is *always* on (unlesss NetStumbler or some such turns it off temporarily).

There is a Winsock repair procedure that I have never had to use, but you might try that.

If you are using the same physical network connection (that is, always wireless, for example), then you can try uninstalling Access Connections *and* all the profiles, uninstalling the wireless NIC, restarting, installing the wireless NIC with latest drivers, then installing Access Connections.

One other thing (that I don't normally recommend, and I do not recommend for inexperienced persons) is to run a registry cleaner. I use Registry First Aid (must be purchased) but it is very good.

I tried (a couple of years ago) to run a Sierra Wireless card with Access Connections. Dumb move, and it did not work. Worse, Access Connections would not work correctly afterward. I uninstalled Access Connections, ran Registry First Aid, made the requisite corrections, installed Access Connections, and never looked back.

Good luck. ... JDH

[Wiz]

This is what the AC help says:

When you create a location profile it will use the current existing network settings by default. If you want to use the current settings, do not change any of the settings.

But i guess what you are saying is this is not working? This seems to work fine for me using AC 4.41. You could try to upgrade to see if that make a difference.

I'm not sure where the default settings for new profiles is stored in the registry, but there is something called "AC Administrator Profile Deployment feature" available from IBM/Lenovo. This is used to deploy AC where you can create a distribution package that include settings or lock profiles or settings to prevent users from making changes. I know this is not what you are looking for, but when creating a distribution package i can see there is an option to specify what should be default when creating a new profile. For the default settings for new profiles you can select if "file and printer sharing" should be on or off using this tool. So since this option is available i'm sure there is a setting stored somewhere in the registry to specify that "file and printer sharing" should be disabled or enabled by default for new profiles (which is what you want, right?).

I guess if you use this tool to create a distribution package where you only select to set the defaults for new profiles you could check where that setting is stored in the registry. Or maybe there is some documentation for this tool that describe all the settings and where they are stored. It's a bit work just to find this settings, but i guess that should work. I don't know what changes to make in the registry to set the defaults so cannot see any other way to find out.

Below is the link to the tool:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... CON-DEPLOY

Cheers
wiz

[mtroxel]

Nice Wiz. Yea it's not working the way you describe. I'm on the road with some time to kill so I searche the entire registry for anything that looked like it. Nothing.

I knew about that tool for enterprises...that's a good thought. I'm going to try that. Thanks for the link.

[RealBlackStuff]

If your wifi-card is an original Intel, download their latest driver package (05/18/07) and try that instead of AC.