I want directory localhost/distr is to be available to write on another computer running under WindowsXP. I have created a new section in /etc/samba/smb.conf
[distr]
path=/distr
writable=true
valid user=root
browsable=yes
create mode=0700
and run /etc/rc.d/init.d/smb start from command line.
When I try to get access to Localhost/distr from Usefull running under windows I get:
There is no access. Probably, you do not have rights of use of this network resource.
It was not possible to connect to a network because of existence of conterminous names. Change a name of a computer

I'm not sure abut the user (root) you have there.
See, I've done this in the past, and continue to do it, in my home network but "root" is not a user in Win.
In order to gain access you need to create a valid user to access the Samba drive and **the same user** must exist in the Windows machine; so when you attempt to log from windows you are recognized as a user.
Hope this helps.

R.

So what distribution / version of linux are you running?
If your computer hostname is localhost it needs to be changed. localhost refers to the loocal loopback i.e. IP address 127.0.0.1. By default samba uses the computer host name.

Add the following to the smb.conf file
netbios name = Any-computer-name

IMHO is isn't a good idea to use root as a samba user.

OK. I have created two same users with same passwords in Linux and Windows. When I try to get access to Localhost/distr I get login window: I entered the proper username and password. But window appears again (such as login or password is unvalid)

I use Redhat Linux9. /distr was created by root. How to adjust write possibility to /distr under other username.

I added the following to the smb.conf file
netbios name = Any-computer-name in [distr] section.
But it doesn't work. Whats wrong?

My fault.
It needs to be in the global section. Replace any-computer-name with anyname desired.

And then you need to restart samba.

You also need to create a smbuser. log in as root:
smbpasswd username
Then enter password. Replace username with the ones you created.

Use chmod to change permissions of the /distr directory.

Also change valid user entry too.

I can't create a smbuser.
When I run smbpasswd username, I get:
unable to open passdb

Are you running smbpasswd as root? Did you run "smbpasswd -a" first to create the user?