I had given up on setting up file sharing between Windows 7 machine and an XP machine, but am trying again. When going to "my network places" on the XP machine, it asks for "user name" and "password". I had setup a password on the 7 machine, but do not remember seeing anything about a "user name". Where do I establish a "user name"? Thanks to anyone that can help me.

For you to successfully access resources on either machine, you will need to create the same local account with the same password on both computers. On Windows XP, you can go to the control panel and then access the applet called "User Accounts". If you dont know the user account name on the Windows 7 computer, you will need to get that information as well from its "User Accounts" applet.Visit: anITKB.com, an IT Knowledge Base.

Win7 when configured on peer-to-peer Network Win 7 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.jpg Home Network is very basic and lacks advanced setting. If you opt to use the Work network. Make 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 instructions. General example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trusted Please 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. Win7 - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Networking-home-computers-running-different-versions-of-Windows Win7 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;304040 Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357 Windows 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. *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-Networking.EZLAN.NET

Hi, To troubleshoot the issue, please perform the following steps. 1. Please write down the user name and password on Windows 7 machine, and then access Network place on Windows XP. When it promotes to type user name and password, please type the Windows 7’s user name and password for a test. If it does not work, please move on the next steps. 2. Modify relevant settings on Windows 7 machine. a. Click Start and open Control Panel. b. Open "Network and Sharing Center" and click "Advanced sharing settings". c. Expand the current network profile (such as "Home or Work"), and then select the following options: "Turn on Network Discovery", "Turn on file and printer sharing", "Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in the Public folders", "Turn off password protected sharing" Thanks, Novak