Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Using WD TV Live in an Active Directory Domain

I am running an Active Directory domain using Windows Server 2012.  After investing in a new WD TV Live I was disappointed to discover I was unable to access the shares on any computers within the domain.  Eventually, I encountered a solution.  It opens a huge security hole, but at least it works:

Follow these instructions to share on Windows7

(1) Run Local Security Policy applet under Administrative Tools. If you don't see administrative tools, enable it under the properties of the Start menu

(2) Under local policies -> User Rights Assignment

When you see Deny access to the computer from the network, REMOVE user guest.

(3) Under Local Policies -> User Rights Assignment, find Access this computer from the network -> add EVERYONE' and ANONYMOUS LOGON'

(4) Under local policies -> Security Options -> find Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords. Change the setting to disabled.

(5) Under local policies -> Security Options -> Network Access: Shares that can be accessed anonymously -> type in the name of your shares

(6) Enable the guest account; set the guest password to blank

(7) Check the share permissions on your share and make sure it has EVERYONE read

(8) Check the file permissions on the files in your share and make sure it has EVERYONE read