How to use Windows File Sharing with XBMC
Written by DJB on the 24th of September, 2004
Introduction
This small document will show you how to set up File Sharing between your Xbox and PC. It is very simple (even more simple than what a lot of people would expect).
Xbox Media Center has a nice little feature included called Samba. Basically, what Samba does is provide a translation of Windows File Shares to Non-Windows environments.
“Samba is software that can be run on a platform other than Microsoft Windows, for example, UNIX, Linux, IBM System 390, OpenVMS, and other operating systems. Samba uses the TCP/IP protocol that is installed on the host server. When correctly configured, it allows that host to interact with a Microsoft Windows client or server as if it is a Windows file and print server.”
So, all these other programs that stream data from your PC are not necessary, you have everything you need within XBMC and Windows already.
I have tested this configuration on Windows XP Pro, but it should work on Windows 2000 Pro/Server and Windows 2003 Server as well. For Windows 98 and ME users, I am not certain about this, but it’s still worth testing. Maybe some of these users can leave feedback reporting if it works or not.
Anyways, I hope this helps some of you out…
Configuring the File Shares
Firstly, make sure you have Administrative privileges (or log in to the Administrator’s account) on your PC. You will not be able to set up shares otherwise. By default, XBMC uses the workgroup name WORKGROUP as the location to look for Samba shares, usually Windows will now set the default name as MSHOME (only Windows XP and later), make sure that you either change the xboxmediacenter.xml file, or set your workgroup to WORKGROUP in Windows. This is what the section of code looks like in the xboxmediacenter.xml file:
It’s pretty obvious what you need to change, just leave the other settings default.
With Windows XP Pro, it’s as easy as right-clicking on the folder or drive you want to share, and selecting “Sharing & Security”. Other Windows versions might want to try just selecting “Properties” then “Sharing”.
This is a screenshot of the window that is shown on Windows XP Pro:
In the Network sharing and security section, tick the box that says “Share this folder on the network”. Then, The Share name box will light up, giving you the option of selecting a share name. Windows will automatically generate a name for you, which is OK to use, but if you want to have customized share names, this is the place to do it. After this, Click Apply then OK. Your folder is shared…
Accessing files on XBMC
Firstly, make sure you have the right IP Addresses in XBMC. Newer versions since 2004-09-09 actually have the IP Configuration built into the program, so you have to edit the addresses in the actual program, not the XML File. There are other tutorials available which explain setting up IP Addresses etc.
When you browse for files with XBMC, you will see this option in the menu where you select the drive / share location: Workgroups (SMB)
This is where your new shares are located. When you click on the above location, there are a few folders to navigate through:
<Workgroup Name> - This is the name of your Workgroup
<Computer Name(s)> - This lists the names of the PCs on your Workgroup
<Share Name(s)> - This lists the shares available.
Once you’re in your desired share folder, you should see all the files that XBMC can recognize.
forahobby Administrator
Joined: May 22, 2003 Posts: 23945 Location: NSW, Australia
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 6:34 am Post subject:
Hi,
Good work DJB.. Ill also make sure this topic is sticky mate.. (doing it now)..
Ill add it to the Tutorials Section for everyone as well.
It looks very simple now compared to how it use to be originally..
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 8:14 am Post subject: Even the longest journey of a thousand miles...
Sounds so simple....
Still got the same problem though.
I can easily access my SharedDocs folder that was already there, but I also what to share another harddrive on my pc, but for some reason I cant access the files in this one from my xbox..
Simply put
C:/Documents and Settings/All Users/Shared Documents << easily accessible
...but I am not sure what this is really gonna do for me...
Can anyone make any sense out of all this? _________________ <o>
Chill`n
>>
DJB Administrator
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 4031 Location: NSW, Australia
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 10:58 am Post subject:
When making your other shares on your PC, did you do it via administrator login??
I'm pretty sure when it's set by admin it goes to all users...
Chilling_Out V.I.P. Lifetime
Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 16 Location: Norway
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 11:25 am Post subject: Shellshocked...
...the other Shared Documents were there already..but I do have administrator rights, so that is`nt the problem...
anyway its working now...!?
I left it alone for a few days..gave up you could say, thought I take another crack at it later..
Was nothing on tv, so just for the heck of it I tried accessing the movies folder on my xbox...and could suddenly view the entire E:/ hardrive...WTF!
I havent done anything since last time...I gave up the sharing and streaming bit..and just used the xbox as a gaming consol for awhile, then it suddenly decides to let me in...there must be a ghost in my machine
I did`nt chip the xbox myself..but I am guessing its got something to do with a software error..something that just is`nt working just right..I mean how else can you explain that I after saying A the same time everytime..but only getting a blah! in return..and then suddenly getting B?
well, well...as long as it works I am happy..hehe
Thx anyway DJB for your reply _________________ <o>
Chill`n
>>
Chilling_Out V.I.P. Lifetime
Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 16 Location: Norway
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 12:25 pm Post subject:
Figured it out..I had shared the driver, but not the folder within the mounted driver...
Example;
C/:MyShared/E 30GB/torrents
- here I had only shared the driver E 30GB, but not the folders on the E drive like "torrents"
Amazing how long all this has taken me to learn...a lot of little details that needed to get in place for this to work _________________ <o>
Chill`n
>>
forahobby Administrator
Joined: May 22, 2003 Posts: 23945 Location: NSW, Australia
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 5:08 pm Post subject:
Good stuff Chilling_out.. Im glad you got it sorted yourself..
Your really coming along in leaps and bounds..
Keep at it mate..
hope you call xbox-hq home whenever your on the net..
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 4031 Location: NSW, Australia
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 11:52 pm Post subject:
Yep, good work Chilling_Out
You'll always find with xbox stuff it's usually easy to do what you need to, it's just either learning something or just ironing out bugs (like our new auto-installer 2.0, it's giving me hell, hehehe).
If you can, try and help out other ppl with some of their questions (that's if you know what to do ofcourse). Every little bit helps, even if it's just an idea you have or info that can point someone in the right direction.
Hope you enjoy your stay here...
DJB
Chilling_Out V.I.P. Lifetime
Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 16 Location: Norway
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 5:41 pm Post subject: GB (getting better) ;)
Absolutly, if I see any postings in which I feel I can contribute to finding a solution, I will show them the same courtisy as the members here have shown me
Hei Skaaal! _________________ <o>
Chill`n
>>
DJB Administrator
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 4031 Location: NSW, Australia
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 11:55 pm Post subject:
Cheers mate
You'll probably end up finding yourself learning new stuff through helping other people out also, it's the best way to build up your Xbox knowledge...
davey Xbox-HQ Experienced
Joined: Aug 11, 2004 Posts: 184
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:52 pm Post subject:
ok i'm not getting any of this i did what you said but for some reason my xbox is telling me (5mb network shares)=access denied ,(workgroups [5mb] networks)=nt-status-object-not-found ,(xbmsp network servers [auto discovery])=nothing ,(xbmsp network shares)=top window it says xbms://192.168.0.1:1400 ,(xns network shares)=xns://192.168.0.0:1400 so i thought maybe my firewall was doing this or my router so please infor this noob
davey Xbox-HQ Experienced
Joined: Aug 11, 2004 Posts: 184
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:00 pm Post subject:
i got it to work but i have to have both of my firewalls off anybody know what samba will show up as in my firewall settings
DJB Administrator
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 4031 Location: NSW, Australia
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:06 pm Post subject:
I just put my home network in a trusted zone in my firewall, and it works.
JustAnOrdinaryPanda Xbox-HQ Experienced
Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 111
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 9:23 pm Post subject:
Okay, this is really annoying me, because I had everything set up until yesterday.
I have shortcuts in my XBMC that lead straight to the folders I want, eg.
"smb://pcname/sharedfolder/"
And they've worked for ages, but then my PC ups and kills itself, and I need to reformat it. And I can't get it working again!
This is a problem I had ages ago, and looking up my previous posts I just say "I fiddled around with it and now it works", but can't remember what I did. =/
In XBMC, when I go to open one of these shortcuts, it asks me for a username and password. I still have my laptop shortcuts, and they work fine, but I can't figure out what's different between the two.
I've set up the home network wizard, rightly named workgroup, (even changed the xml on the Xbox though that never made a difference before), and shared the folders I want. Still, it prompts for the username.
Can anybody help me?
forahobby Administrator
Joined: May 22, 2003 Posts: 23945 Location: NSW, Australia
Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 4:59 am Post subject:
Quote:
and looking up my previous posts I just say "I fiddled around with it and now it works", but can't remember what I did.
Dont you wish you replied now.. heheh lol
No seriously.. If you always reply to problems even if you fix them yourself you will always have a reference to go back..
God knows what you did.. Turn off your windows firewall and also make sure you have setup a share..
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