Networking vista and xp

I seem to have a problem getting file and print sharing going between my xp desktop and vista laptop. Hopeing someone here can help. I have read so many help forums that my head is spinning. Some I don't understand, and the ones I do understand don't seem to work for me. Here's the setup. The xp machine (service pack 3) is connected to a wireless router via a cable. The vista laptop (service pack 1) is connected to the router wirelessly. Both computers are able to get on the internet. The problem is that the xp machine can see the vista machine, but cannot access it. The vista machine cannot see the xp machine at all. The printer is physically connected to the xp machine. I have tried so many things that I really can't remember them all, but I do know that I ran the network setup wizard on the xp. Couldn't find it on the vista. I tried configuring the firewalls, but couldn't really figure out how to do it, so just shut them both down (for troubleshooting) and still no sucess. xp runs za free and vista runs vista firewall control. I hope I have given enough info to get some help. Thanks.

 

This definitely works but is less secure as it doesn’t use passwords and allows access to 'Everyone':

Create workgroup
Add an XP computer to a workgroup by right-clicking My Computer > Properties > Computer Name and change the default Workgroup Name to something more meaningful, also make the Computer Name recognisable, e.g. MainPC or IBMPC. The computer should reboot.

Add a Vista computer to a workgroup by right-clicking Computer > Properties > Change Settings then change Computer Name and Workgroup Name. Make the computer name meaningful to aid recognition. The computer should restart.

XP sharing
Right-click the XP folder to be shared and select Sharing & Security > Sharing Tab > and put a check mark in Share this folder on the network and optionally, Allow Network users to change my files. You only need to share the highest level folder, e.g. not every sub-folder. A little hand should appear on the icons of the folders that are shared. Alternatively, drag the folders you want to share to the Shared Documents folder (Public folder in Vista). In XP Professional you may have to turn off Simple File Sharing in Folder Options > View Tab > Advanced Settings at the end.

If you are sharing with a Vista machine, you may need to install the Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) responder on the XP machine so that the computer shows up in Vista’s network map, get it here http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...1D-EE46-481E-BA11-37F485FA34EA&displaylang=en

Vista sharing
First of all, go to Control Panel > Classic View > Network and Sharing Center and make sure you have Network Discovery, File Sharing and Public Folder Sharing all set to ‘On’ and Password Protected Sharing to ‘Off’. If you want to use passwords, you have to set up identical usernames and passwords on all computers in your network.

To share a Vista folder, highlight it (click it) > Share on the Toolbar > Advanced Sharing, click ‘Share this folder’ > Apply > OK, etc. You only need to share the highest level folder, e.g. not every sub-folder. Two little people should appear on the icons of the folders that are shared. An alternative way of sharing is to drag the folders you want to share to the Public folder.

As you don’t have Password Protected Sharing turned on, you have to change the security permissions on your folder(s) to allow Everyone access. Right-click the shared folder > Properties > Security Tab > Edit > Add and type ‘Everyone’ (not the quotes) into the box and OK. Tick the boxes next to the permissions you want to allow (e.g. Read or Write, etc.) then Apply > OK, etc. You may see some screens coming up with message 'Error Applying ……..'. This is not unusual and can be ignored by clicking Continue.


General
Windows firewall is normally set to allow file and printer sharing but if you have a third-party firewall make sure file and printer sharing is enabled so that each machine can talk to the other(s). Don’t disable the Windows firewall if it’s the only one you’re running.

To see or copy files, click Start > My Network Places (Network in Vista) and the computers/folders/files should appear. Using two Windows Explorer windows, drag them from one PC to the other.

Get the sharing working then post back for printer sharing.

 

I printed out your instructions and followed them to the letter. Nothing works. It is all as before. Even with the firewalls turned off, xp desktop can see vista laptop, but cannot access it. Vista laptop canot see xp desktop. The one thing I did not do is download the file for lltd responder as I have servce pack 3.

 

It must be ZoneAlarm, change the settings or uninstall it and see if you can share.

 

I really appreciate you trying to help me. As I said, at this time both firewalls are already turned off. I know it shouldn't be this hard and I really don't understand why it won't work.

 

There’s a Hotfix for XP (SP3) and installing LLTD responder.
You have to request it. (no sense in making this easy)

It’s in the knowledge base article referenced in the link BurrWalnut gave.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=922120

 

Beth

I said “… or uninstall it…..” not disable it.

 

Sorry for no response in a while. I finally got to the bottom of it - after a lot of trial and error and hair pulling. From the vista laptop in the network and sharing center window explorer bar, type "\\ip address of the xp computer" without the quotes. Also make sure you have "shared" the local area connection on the xp computer. These 2 things in addition to above help did the trick.