Access Denied Error When Trying to Access a Shared CD-ROM

 Last reviewed: September 30, 1997
Article ID: Q172520
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you share a CD-ROM (IDE or SCSI) or floppy disk drive but then try to access it over the network (either remotely or locally through UNC or NET USE) the following error message is displayed: 

   Access Denied
Additionally, the directory \\<machinename>\<sharename> remotely or locally will cause the following error message to appear: 

   File Not Found
Sharing and accessing a hard drive remotely or locally in the same manner will work fine.

CAUSE

There are 2 registry entries in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\ WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon subkey:

AllocateCDRoms:REG_SZ AllocateFloppies:REG_SZ

One or both of these entries has been added and/or set to 1, thus disabling access to everyone but the locally logged on user. 

AllocateCDRoms   REG_SZ     0 | 1

Default: 0

Determines whether data in the CD-ROM drive is accessible to other users. This value entry satisfies, in part, the C2 security requirement that you must be able to secure removable media.

Value Meanings:

0 Compact discs in the CD-ROM drive can be accessed by all administrators 

   in the domain.
1 Only the user logged on locally can access data on the compact discs in 
   the CD-ROM drive.
Because the CD-ROM drive is a volume, by default, it is shared as an administrative share on the network. If the value of this entry is 1, the CD-ROM drive is allocated to the user as part of the interactive logon process and, therefore, only the current user can access it. This prevents administrators and remote users (and even the same user at a different workstation) from accessing the drive while the current user is logged on to the computer. The drive is shared again when the current user logs off the computer.

Windows NT does not add this value entry to the registry. You can add it by editing the registry or by using a program that edits the registry. 

AllocateFloppies     REG_SZ     0 | 1

Default: 0

Determines whether data in the floppy disk drive is accessible to other users. This value entry satisfies, in part, the C2 security requirement that you must be able to secure removable media.

Value Meanings:

0 Floppy disks in the floppy disk drive can be accessed by all 

   administrators in the domain.
1 Only the user logged on locally can access data on the floppy disks in 
   the floppy disk drive.
Because the floppy disk drive is a volume, by default it is shared as an administrative share on the network. If the value of this entry is 1, the floppy disk drive is allocated to the user as part of the interactive logon process and, therefore, only the current user can access it. This prevents administrators and remote users (and even the same user at a different workstation) from accessing the drive while the current user is logged on. The drive is shared again when the current user logs off.

Windows NT does not add this value entry to the registry. You can add it by editing the Registry or by using a program that edits the registry.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) and select the following subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\Winlogon

    AllocateCDRoms:REG_SZ AllocateFloppies:REG_SZ

  2. Change the value for these entries to 0 or remove the entry.

Additional query words: c2 cd-rom
Keywords : ntconfig ntregistry ntsecurity NTSrvWkst kbenv
Version : WinNT:3.5,3.51,4.0
Platform : winnt

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Last reviewed: September 30, 1997
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