bmckenzie has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Greetings

I have a browser-based application we use in our small Windows workgroup to set up and manage project files.

On one of the computers in the network (a 3-year old Dell), if a network drive is mounted on the localhost server, this script returns true:

my $remote = q{R:/}; print (-e $remote || "not found") ;

However, the same code fails on a new Thinkpad.

Both computers are running ActiveState Perl 5.8. The older computer has an older Apache server version. I don't see anything odd in Windows firewall settings (though I may not know what to look for . . .

An earlier post on a simlar subject suggests adjusting the Windows environment. But, if that's the answer to this question -- ummm ... how do I do that?

Thanks,

Bruce

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Troubleshoot copying files to/from Windows shared volume
by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Dec 29, 2007 at 16:45 UTC
    1. Discover which userid the webserver is running under on both machines.

      If Apache is configured to run as a service, then Settings->Control Panel->Services; right-click Apache(2) and select Properties; Select the Log-on tab.

    2. Inspect the permission settings for those userids on the respective machines and look for differences.

      Programs->Administratice Services->Computer Management; then System Tools->Local Users & Groups->Users Compare the groups to which the userids belong and their permissions.


    Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
    "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
    In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.
      Users and groups are the same.

      Older computer is running Apache 1.3 (bundled with EasyPHP) -- it doesn't show up in the 'services' list.

      Newer computer is running Apache 2.2.4 from wampapache

      Obviously, this is not really a Perl question -- but I sure would like to find the answer -- so further suggestions very welcome :-)

      Bruce

        Older computer is running Apache 1.3 -- it doesn't show up in the 'services' list.

        If it doesn't show up in the services list, how have you discovered which userid it is runs under?

        And if you haven't discovered that, then which userids are you comparing in order to determine that:

        Users and groups are the same.

        ?


        Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
        "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
        In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.
Re: Troubleshoot copying files to/from Windows shared volume
by NetWallah (Canon) on Dec 30, 2007 at 03:57 UTC
    Compare the outputs of the following commands on each computer:
    • NET USE
    • NET SESSION
    • dir R:
    Also, while the forward slash in "R:/" would work, the backslash "R:\" is more canonical for Windows.

         "As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two... " - Sir Norman Wisdom

      Well, the only difference is that the computer running Apache 2.2 (newer) shows up in the NET SESSION listing under its network name. The server running Apache 1.3 is accessible over the LAN, but it doesn't show up in NET SESSION.

      Not a Perl question, I know, but help much appreciated -- so I can use Perl to do what it used to do so well :-)

      Bruce

        Could you elaborate on
        shows up in the NET SESSION listing under its network name
        ?

        Is this "Network name" a "local account"?
        Does it have access to network resources (R drive) ?

        Perhaps you can try to change the user name that the service (WAMP or APACHE) runs under.
        In particular, you should be aware that the "Local System" user account does NOT have network access.

             "As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two... " - Sir Norman Wisdom