I set up a small network at home with an older computer to be used as a file server. I had this running, but issues with the computer made me swap out a hard drive, and reinstall windows XP Home edition, and I have gotten it back to SP3. I can see the folders and drives on my Vista home desktop and Windows 7 pro desktop which all show the same work group, and I can access the vista and W7 drives on the XP server, but not the other way around. I have tried about every way to configure the sharing, clicking on the share this file/folder/drive, including permissions for everyone, double checking all computers are in the same work group. Windows 7 tells me I have the computer on my network, but it is not connected or seen in the network. It comes up with an administrator permissions issues. I am running XP as my name as Administrator. There is a guest account I do not use and have not configured. I did set up a home group on W7pro, so if needed I can disable that.Trying to run three different versions of OS is difficult, I know. All I want is the XP to be a file server with two internal drives, a JBOD attached through a port multiplier card, and some externals. Not using it for much else than this as a server. Printer sharing over the network is set up and works with two other machines, one XP home SP3 laptop and a vista laptop. Can see these as computers and folders when active.Any help on this is greatly appreciated.1 person needs an answerI do too

Keep in mind that an XP Home machine forces "Simple File Sharing" to always be enabled. This means thatany connection to this machine from any other machine on the network will automatically authenticate as the "Guest" user -- no matter what user they really are. The Guest user account *must* be "active" (but not necessarily "enabled") to connect. Make sure your guest account is active by entering the following command from a command window: net user guest /active:yesFor more info, see the following Microsoft article:"How to configure file sharing in Windows XP" <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040>Read the "Known Issues" section near the end.HTH, JW

HiFirst On Everyone.Everyone does Not mean Everyone that wants to logon.If accounts are set only for John, Jill, and Jack, using the Everyone setting in the Folder Permissions saves the effort of setting Permission separately for John, Jill, and Jack.Everyone else is Not in the Everyone group, only John, Jill, and Jack.----------------------------Win7 when configured on peer-to-peer Network has three types of Sharing configurations.HomeGroup Network = Works only between Win 7 computers. This type of configuration makes it very easy to Entry Level Users to start Network sharing. Work Network = Basically similar to the previous methods of sharing that let you control what, how, and to whom folders would be shared with. Public Sharing = Public Network (like Internet cafe) to reduce security risks. For best results log to each computer's System Screen and set all the computers to be on a Network with the same name while each computer has its own unique name.http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/net_name.jpgMake sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party Firewall instructionsGeneral example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trustedPlease Note that some 3rd party Software Firewalls keep blocking aspects of Local Traffic even it they are turned Off (disabled). If possible configure the Firewall correctly, or totally uninstall it to allow clean flow of local network traffic. If the 3rd party software is uninstalled or disables, make sure that Windows native Firewall is On .Since you have a Network with Win 7 and other version of Windows you need to configure Win 7 as Work Network.In the Network Center, clicking on the Network type opens the window to the right.Choose your type of Network. Notice the check mark at the bottom, and check/uncheck it according to your needs.http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/net_type.jpgWin 7 - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Networking-home-computers-running-different-versions-of-WindowsWin 7 Work Network specific folder sharing - http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windows7/windows7_sharing.htm Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspxWindows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista (Not need for XP-SP3) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120 When finished with the setting of the system it is advisable to Reboot all the hardware including the Router and all computers involved.-------------If needed check specifically the Permission/Security settings.Point to the a Folder that meant to to be share. Right click and choose properties.In the propertiesClick on the Security tab shown in the pic bellow to the right) and check that the users and their permission (shown in the pic bellow center and left) are correctly configured. Then do the same to the Permission tab.This screen shot is from Win 7, Vista's menus are similar.http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/Permission-Security.jpgIn both the Security panel, and the Permission panel you have to highlight each User/Group and examine that the Permission Controls are checked correctly.When everything is OK, Reboot the Network (Router, and computer).Please Note that the Groups and Users shown in the screen shoot are just an example. Your list will look the way your system is configured.---------------------*Note. Some of the processes described above are done Not for Windows sake but to compensate for different Routers and the way their firmware works and stores the info about the computers that are Networked. Jack-MVP Windows Networking. WWW.EZLAN.NET