I have a computer running xp pro. It is connected to a wireless router but is not connected wirelessly it is plugged in. I don't have a wireless card for this box yet. Some computers in this house (3) are connected wireless and this one and one other are plugged into the wireless router. I need to password protect this machine over the network. I don't want everybody having access to my files. How do I do that? Sometimes my kids and friends come here and connect to the net wirelessly too and I need to protect my personal data. The only way to have access for some but not others is through passwording. Windows doesn't seem to have this. I have installed sp3 and I thought that had some new stuff on it for this purpose but I can't seem to find it.

Turn off file sharing. You're done. Do this on the whole drive instead of a folder:

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/a [...] pntsh.html

net user guest ******* x is the password you choose, the user will have to type in a password to gain access to shared folders. guest account has to be turned off.
If the person has your pass word and logs in that computer the password only has to be typed in once but if the computer is logged off or shut down the password has to be entered again.

I know how to share/unshare a drive. I need to give some computers on the network access to my disk while not allowing others. If I turn off file sharing then nobody can access my files even those I want to have access.

if u want to have a password when ppl on the same network want to access ur share files, try this.

goto control panel -> administrative tools -> Local Security Settings -> Local Policies -> User Right Assignment -> Deny access to this computer from the network, then u add group 'Guest' into the value

after set, other ppl want to access ur computer will required a password which is ur windows login password. so Login password is must before u do this setting. try!!

type in cmd, now type (net user guest ******) xxx meaning the password.
you now have a secure network that needs the password.
Most secure way, only netuser networks can access your computer as a netuser guest and windows has a policy to allow or disallow net users or computers
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555520
alternately you can use winguard pro free edition
http://www.winguardpro.com/ I dont use this I use netuser guest with guest account turned off