Issues with Mixed Home Network – Win XP Pro/Vista

I visit this forum rarely and on this occasion come seeking assistance

I have a 3 computer home network (main desktop "“ XP Pro, secondary desktop "“ Vista Business and laptop "“ XP Pro) connected via a Netgear DG834GT router which, up until recently worked fine although I rarely use the network facility. The desktops are hardwired to the router and the laptop operates on a wireless connection. There are shared drives on the XP desktop and shared folders on the XP laptop. Internet sharing is not an issue "“ all computers connect OK.

Computer names are XP, VISTA & LAPTOP and the work group is Workgroup on all computers.

I had the requirement yesterday to transfer a few files and ran into several problems "¦.

The XP desktop does not "˜see’ the Vista desktop unless I type in \\VISTA into the Address Bar "“ I then see Users on Vista. However if I click on "¦..

Entire Network > Microsoft Windows Network > Workgroup the hourglass hangs around for a minute or so and then the message appears "“ "˜Workgroup is not accessible. You may not have permission… blah…blah’ although if I have previously typed \\VISTA into the Address Bar Vista is shown in the directory tree below Workgroup.

The XP desktop does see the laptop over the wireless connection and vice versa.

The Vista desktop under Network sees only itself and the router, but in Network and Sharing Centre > View full map > XP desktop is seen together with the laptop. The only way I can get to the shared drives on the XP desktop from the Vista desktop is to type \\XP into the Address Bar and similarly (\\LAPTOP) on the laptop. The laptop, however "˜sees’ Vista.

It was never like this and the other problem I have found is that on the Vista desktop for all files/folders under the Properties > Sharing tab the Share button is greyed out

The only installs that come to mind since I last used the network successfully are the Eset Security Suite on the XP desktop (set up for home networking) and a few XP/Vista updates.

 

That's where I would start. I would remove that, and see if that fixes it.

Also have a look at my article Windows Vista Network Troubleshooting

 

Thank you both

Reggie - spot on the money - works a treat - thanks.

Arie - no problem with Eset following Reggie's fix. Your article bookmarked in case of future problems.

I really think I like Vista even less - simple file sharing is a nightmare compared to XP - mind you at some time I might have unchecked the 'Use file sharing Wizard' under Folder Options as I would do in XP. Checking that box revealed the Share features outlined in an MS Help article.

 

Yea, I mention at the start of my article people should first read: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx