I apologise if this has already been answered, but I can't seem to find an answer anywhere.

What do I need to do to share a folder on my xp box so my linux box can access it? I can ping them from each other. I probably need to be walked through the process if anyone can spare the time because I am a linux .

I think I read somewhere that I need the SAMBA server? Do I need this or is it optional?

it's pretty simple
you need to share the folder in Windoze
then just use a samba browser to access it.

You don't need the server part running unless you want the windows box to see the linux box.........

Does the samba browser come with slackware 10.1? I did a full install so I imagine if it comes with it I have it installed...

I can see the windows box from the linux box but it says I do not have the permissions neccessary to view the contents (the windows box is sharing it to "everyone"

In the manual for Samba, you have to add a user. The command is something like smbclient -a. Check out samba.org and in the search field enter. "adding users" this should take care of the permissions issues.

in the /etc/samba folder there are only 2 things a file named "smb.conf-sample" and a folder named "private" with nothing in it...

When I tried 'smbclient -a' it said /etc/samba/samba.conf didn't exist. Does this mean I don't have the samba client installed?

Open the /etc/samba/smb.conf.example with an editor as root, at the line that says workgroup, add the workgroup name that you use on your XP box. Then save the file as smb.conf. Then, go into KDE Control Center, find the Internet and Network section, then go to the Samba Configuration area (near the bottom) and set it up. The settings are pretty obvious if your familiar with networking, there are many options but basic read only access is setup by default if I remember correctly. Also, this must be done as root, either log into KDE as root or you'll have to hit the administrator mode button and put the root password in.

If you're using Gnome...don't...just kidding. I don't remember where these settings are in Gnome, I use it on an Ubuntu box, I think you just use network config but not sure. Since you're using Slack 10.1, it should have installed both so you can always log into KDE one time as root and set it up that way, it should still work in Gnome I think.
Good Luck!

OH, BTW - you'll either have to restart the samba daemon or just reboot the computer I believe. I'd just reboot if I were you. You can watch for the samba load during the boot process. It's real obvious. Just so you know, I'm a relative newb myself (about 2 months) but I did get this working using the procedure I described. With Debian and Ubuntu it was even easier. With SuSE, it was pretty much imposible which is the main reason I switched to Slack 10.1. So far I have found Slack to be the best distro I've tried although I still have some issues to work out. Cheers.

Aw crap, one more thing, sorry. If you do get it working, when you go to access the folder on your XP box, if it asks for a password, don't put anything in there, just hit OK. If it's setup by defaults, you don't need one. The fact it asks is a little confusing.

there is no samba configuration area in KDE control center

There is a 'local network browsing' section but the only thing in there is LISa Daemon

oh and thanks for all the help its nice to have a place to get answers to all my linux questions

If it's not there it probably didn't get installed. Check your package manager and install the samba package. Then do what I said. Oh, and just for the heck of it, check for a samba folder in /etc/. Cheers.

under the package manager it says samba-3.0.4-i486-1 is installed and gives me the option to uninstall

and like I said earlier there is a /etc/samba folder with 'private' (folder) and 'smb.conf' and 'smb.conf-sample'

Crap, can't check mine right now, booted Debian and got some downloads going I don't want to interupt. I'll check mine and see how it compares. Clearly the Samba package is installed for both the reasons you indicate. Not sure why it would be marked private...you could uninstall and reinstall the package. That's actually more of a Windows trick but 'sometimes' it works with Linux. Like I said, I'll check mine in an hour or so and get back with you. Sounds like something small and annoying but fixable. BTW - do you normally use KDE or Gnome? Did you install both? Cheers.

Hi,

okay i think we need a recap.

You don't need to configure /etc/samba/samba.conf etc if you just want to browse samba shares on Windoze boxes....

These files are just for allowing samba shares on the box. Although you do need the daemon running

There is a samba browser for KDE - other than Lisa. That i can't remember! lol

Anyway what happens if you type 'smb' at the command prompt.

I'll get back to you with a proper amount of info tomorrow.........

I'm sure you are correct. I go both ways on my boxes so I had to set up the smb.conf in order to get into my two Linux boxes from my two XP boxes. Didn't mean to give eroneous info, just conveying my own experience. As I stated, I am newb also...relatively speaking that is. Cheers.

Oh, almost forgot, the KDE browser is just a Konqueror setup to go to smb/// by default, it's like you said, you can actually get there just knowing the address...

I normally use KDE because I like the way the interface looks more, but I have both installed and can switch relatively easily with xwmconfig

It says "-bash: smb: command not found". In case it matters from the prompt it says (computer name is substituted with my computers name, but I'm sure you already knew that)