Yes, after reading through that article, I'm sure that is what I'm experiencing. WHS will have disabled the simple file sharing option after install. Once I removed the WHS connector software again, everything went back to what it was.

I can connect to the share via other windows PC's, that's not a problem.

I also read that, if the PC is part of a workgroup, simple file sharing is enabled by default. It's disabled if it logs onto a domain.

I also found this quote very interesting:

"When Simple File Sharing is turned on, if you configure specific user ACEs, remote users are not affected when Simple File Sharing is turned on because all remote users authenticate as Guest when Simple File Sharing is turned on".

Doesn't this mean this should 'just work'? (it does with another Windows PC anyway - I'm guessing Linux is different en needs regular permissions, not a guest account?)

I'll also try Andy's suggestion when I get home in a few hours.

I hope this'll fix it. Not sure why this doesn't work. This is still the reason why most people are afraid to get started with Linux I guess: when relatively simple things like this turn into problems. I've made up my mind now: I really want to understand more about Linux and will push through this time, but I can understand other just giving up. I've worked in DOS for years, so I understand command lines. But I have to admit: the Linux prompt is a whole different ballgame, looking quite daunting with all those switches and options. But I guess it's just different than what I'm used to and it'll grow on me.