ok, virgin CentOS 4.6 w/ updates, was a minimal install. From the top... # yum -y install samba samba-swat ..... # (edit /etc/xinetd.d/swat, put a # in front of disable=yes and only_from 127.0.0.1) # service xinetd reload now, on any system with a webbrowser, visit http://hostname:901/ log on as root, with the root password click on the 'wizard' button. click on the 'edit parameter values' button. enter your preferred workgroup name, leave realm blank, set security to USER, encrypt passwords YES, /IF/ you already use a WINS server for legacy reasons, enter its IP as 'wins server' but do NOT set 'wins support' on... now hit 'commit changes' click on the 'wizard' button again. check 'sand alone', and 'exposue home directories (*)yes;, click Commit. this setup a very basic SMB.CONF w/ user home directories shared. now, back at shell... # chkconfig samba on # service samba start # useradd windowsuser && passwd windowsuser # only if they don't already have a 'nix account) (enter unix password, twice) # smbpasswd -a windowsuser (enter smb password, twice) Now, and this is very important. On XP Professional, go to Control Panel -> Folder Options -> View, and scroll down the long list of options to the end, AND TURN *OFF* USE SIMPLE FILE SHARING (RECOMMENDED) Oh. If you're using WIndows XP Home, forget it, you can't disable this, its too lobotomized, all network connections are as "Guest" or something lame. If you have Vista, I have no idea. If you have Win2000 Pro, you're good, it didn't have the messed up 'simple file sharing' nonsense. Anyways, assuming all of the above, from the windows station, start -> run -> \\linuxserver\username and voila, you should get your home directory in a window. if it prompts for user/pass, enter it as specified above. Don't freak if username gets changed into SERVERNAME\username, thats how windows distinguinshes between DOMAIN\user and LOCAL\user accounts.