HOWTO: VMware - Ubuntu to XP - Setup Samba File Sharing (4 Steps, no fuss)

OS: Ubuntu 7.10
Architecture: 64bit.
VMware Server using NAT networking.
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1 - Issue these commands:
sudo apt-get install samba
sudo groupadd sharer
sudo useradd --gid sharer --shell /bin/false sharer --home /nonexistent
sudo smbpasswd -a sharer
cd $HOME
mkdir sharer
sudo chown YourUserNameHere:sharer sharer
sudo chmod 775 sharer
sudo chmod g+s sharer
sudo gedit /etc/samba/smb.conf
2 - Update the smb.conf file to reflect your details (see below).

Items that will need changed:
Delete the ; in front of security = user,

Code:

security = user,

Add the following to the end of the "Share Definitions" section.
(You will need to change: path = /home/YourUserNameHere/sharer).

Code:

[sharer]
path = /home/YourUserNameHere/sharer
valid users = sharer
read only = No
create mask = 0777
directory mask = 0777

3 - Issue the command:
sudo /etc/init.d/samba restart
4 - On your XP guest VM do the following:
My Computer >Tools>Map Network Drive
Drive: S
Folder: \\YourUbuntuHostIP\sharer
Choose: Connect using a different user name.
username: sharer
password: yoursharerpassword