Vista and XP computers can't see each other even though they're on the same network
I'm hoping the people here can help me out regarding my problem. I am trying to share files between my XP desktop and Vista laptop, but so far I have had no luck as they can't see each other. I have tried all manners of fixes, including having an account with the same name on both, download the kbb.... patch that everyone has recommended, disabling simple file sharing on the XP, making the network into a private secure network, and so far I have had no luck. The laptop is a HP DV6000t and the desktop is a custom build. Looking forward to your helpo\
March 9th, 2007 7:42am

I have the same problem. Also I can not see my two (2) Windows 2000 servers and I am not using a domain just a workgroup called Flexomastic. The server are plain except for active directory. I do see home Home-Server the beta 2 server which I am testing it is also on Flexomastic. I have tried everything and no luck. I have 4 XP system 1 pro Dell 2500 , 3 media 2005 (Sony, HP a1540n , HP 1000) and they have no problem with the servers including Home-Server or the Windows 2000 Servers. Remember I still also do not have coonection to Windows 2000 Servers. The laptop is a HP dv6247cl w/ Vista Home Premium preinstalled so it is not built or modified. I have no trouble getting to the internet wire or wireless, no touble pigging back my PPC 6700 to get to the internet or sync. I just can't intranet. I just added the IP address to the Nortom firewall and after about 40 minutes I do see all the units. Now the problem is I have access to the XP's shared files but no access to the Servers "You might not have permission to use this network resources" What I am going to do is reboot and put my passwork in again a see if works. No luck with Vista computer still can not connect to Windows 2000 Servers. They are on the Network Map in plain View but still can not access the shared directories. Thanks Rowlette
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March 9th, 2007 3:58pm

Check post by brownstemre same issue I posted (page 4 ) how I got it working.
March 11th, 2007 11:29am

Check the Norton Firewall, it seems to block file-sharing from every machine. You have to add both IP adresses in theTrusted Netword and it should work... at least it did for me.
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March 11th, 2007 11:29am

I've done all that and still no luck. Any other possibilities?
March 14th, 2007 2:37pm

I am having the samw problem with all the above i am trying to share files from my main computer to my latop my main has XP and my laptop has Vist. now i have created a netowrk connection so i can use the internet connection from my main computer but not able to view my main computer to get at th files and visa vera on my main. I have File and print sharing setup for both of them any help will be gret thanks. I will try the above steps before posting agin and tell u all if that worked for me
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March 15th, 2007 5:09pm

Me too! To see XP computers on the Network Map is easy once you work out that you need to load LLTD protocol (which is not by default installed on XP see below). I have a Vista Home desktop and a XP Pro 2 laptop. They both connect to a D-Link wireless router to the internet (SSID warbirds dog one). That works fine. My workgroup is WOODPARK. All I want to do is share the printer connected (USB) to the desktop and the external HDD (also connected to the desktop). The drive is shared (\\Pauls-desktop\e). But I cant work out how! Transferring settings via a USB (under Add a wireless device from VISTA) doesnt work. If I click on View workgroup computers (Start -> My Network Places) from the XP laptop I get the following message: Woodpark is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of the this server to find out if you have access permissions. The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available Go figure?! I would appreciate any help out there. Paul Solution For computers running Windows XP to appear on the Network Map diagram, you must download and install the LLTD Responder component. With the LLTD Responder, a computer running Windows XP can respond to other Windows Vista computers on the network that are attempting to create a network map. To install the LLTD Responder to a computer running Windows XP 1. Download the update for Windows XP from http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=70582 2. Run the update on the computer running Windows XP that you want to appear on the Network Map. 3. On the Software Update Installation Wizard, click Next. 4. On the License Agreement page, read the license agreement, and if you agree to the terms, click I Agree, and then click Next. 5. On the final page of the wizard, click Finish. 6. If you are prompted to do so, restart your computer. After your computer running Windows XP restarts, generate a new Network Map with the computer running Windows XP included.
March 17th, 2007 2:20am

I've made some progress. Turn off the fire wall - both PCs and get file sharing working. Then turn firewalls on again. If your using Live OneCare (for example), you will have to change the firewall settings (under Firewall tab - Firewall connection tool and tick first two boxes). Sharing a printer would seem to be another story!
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March 17th, 2007 5:10am

I've made some progress. Turn off the fire wall - both PCs and get file sharing working. Then turn firewalls on again. If your using Live OneCare (for example), you will have to change the firewall settings (under Firewall tab - Firewall connection tool and tick first two boxes). There is a known issue from Microsoft about the Vista x64 printer sharing option. Microsoft provide a workaround for the printer sharing problem and i will share with all of you. I already tested and works fine with Vista x64 Enterprise RTM and Windows XP SP2. 1) Go to the XP Machine and go to Start - Control Panel - Printers and other hardware and then printer and faxes. 2) Double Click Add Printer to start the Add printer wizard and click Next. 3) Click on Local Printer, clear the Automatically detect and install check box, and then click NEXT. 4)Click CREATE A NEW PORT and then click LOCAL PORT in the PORT TYPE section. 5)In the Port Name box, type the path to the printer in the following format where SERVER is the name of the print server and PRINTER is the name of the printer: \\server\printer 6) Click NEXT and then select a Windows XP driver for your printer. 7) Click Next and the follow the intructions to finish the wizard. NOTE: When you use this procedure, the print job is printed locally and then redirected to the network path. If you use this procedure, you do not receive printe updates from the printe server when you update the printer driver on the print server. I hope this process help with your problem. It works for me and was so easy to do. Credit to AlexR
March 17th, 2007 5:21am

I had the same problem, but in my case the problem was leftover remnants of security and antivirus programs on the xp machine. I accessed Symantec and McAfee websites to get their removal tools, and that was difficult because they're vintaged, so one removal tool doesn't necessarily remove an older version. So you dig and dig. ThenI searched the registry, the computer, the program folders, and everywhere I could think of for anything that had shreds of the names of these programs. In my case, I had installed Windows LiveOneCare, and that turned out tobethe culprit. If you have installed and/or removed WLOC,you can find a removal tool which will search out the extensive collection of WLOC remnants and remove them.After hours and hours of frustration,I ran the tool, which took a minute or so, and the problem wassolved.Everything now works very well. A complete solution in my case. Hope this helps.
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March 20th, 2007 4:57am

I had a similar problem - couldn't see my XP shares from Vista - my fix was pretty simple: -I just shared a folder- which revealed that sharing had been disabled (by some reallyhelpful update? ) -All of myolder XP shares became visible from Vista
March 21st, 2007 8:10pm

Hi EppieThanks for the advice re. Norton Firewall. Totally solved my home network problem.Keep up the good workKind regardsMichey
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March 24th, 2007 3:24pm

Oh my, I didn't realize this was such a problem! Just got a new Dell Inspiron 1501 with Vista; old Dell desktop has XP SP2. Downloaded the patch to the XP system and can now see the desktop on the network map on Vista Laptop, but no access to the desktopfrom the Vista Laptop. Can access the Vista Laptop files from the XP desktop, though! I have tried pretty much every one of these suggestions: workgroup names match, turned off firewalls, pinged desktop from laptop and vise versa, etc. Both computers can access the internet, but I need to get the Vista Laptop to see the XP desktop to share printer that is connected to desktop. UGH! Help! I have even been on the phone with Dell support for three hours (they are calling me back tomorrow after doing more research) and they can't even figure it out! Thanks for any suggestions!
April 26th, 2007 7:36am

I'm posting here the 5 major steps I went through to get my Vista-WinXP network running seamlessly. If you are having problems with yours, perhaps one or more of the below 5 steps will do the trick. Step 5 was the most obscure - changing a registry setting in one of my WinXP machines so that my Vista pc could see its shared folders. Windows Networking Vista and WinXP Ok. First take a deep breath and gather your patience. I wrote-up the below thread after my recent experience in networking a new Vista laptop with two existing WinXP machines. It wasn't quick but it did work, eventually. Try some of these steps: 1) Firewall settings - one of the biggest hassles. To get started I suggest you FIRST disconnect your network from the internet (for your protection), then disable ALL firewalls (including Windows firewall) on ALL machines, and then work to get your home network operating internally. What I learned on my home network is below. 1.1) My WinXP machines have ZoneAlarm and I needed to ensure that all machines on the network were in the trusted zone. Go to the Zone tab of Firewall settings in ZoneAlarm free version. Ensure all of your machines IP addresses are listed, as well as that of your router or wireless access point. 1.2) My Vista laptop came loaded with Norton Internet Security. Go to Norton Internet Security tab, open settings, scroll to bottom, open internet security and firewall options, open advanced settings, open configure, change default inbound NetBIOS, inbound NetBIOS name, and Block Windows File Sharing to ALLOW. Configuring this beast of an app required a lot of trial, error and googling the Symantec site and others. 2) Ensure sharing is enabled on all machines. It is quite different for Vista vs WinXP. The procedure is fairly straightforward and is well documented on the MS site and elsewhere. In Network and Sharing Center it is critical on Vista machine that you have your network configured as Private and that the Sharing and Discovery Settings are set to ON except for Password Protected Sharing. Link for Vista: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/evaluate/vista_fp.mspx Link for WinXP: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=FD7FD48D-6B4A-448E-A632-076F98A351A2&displaylang=en 3) Workgroup name. Ensure you are using the same workgroup name on all machines. WinXP and Vista machines have different default workgroup names. WinXP: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/windows_network_changename.mspx?mfr=true Vista: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5723d061-b884-40da-b5e7-94a55f6fcead1033.mspx and http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/baab4f1a-2461-482d-bb2e-c996a197e35f1033.mspx 4) Download and install Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) onto the WinXP machines. Just a nicety, this enables the network map in Vista to show all machines on the network. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4f01a31d-ee46-481e-ba11-37f485fa34ea&DisplayLang=en 5) And the final step: check the registry on your WinXP machine per MS article 913628 that I found by searching MS for "error message when you try to access a Windows XP-based network computer: "You might not have permission to use this network resource". See the article at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913628. This finally did the trick for my network. Keep pounding away at it. It will eventually be worth it. It took me almost a week to get everything working right. Best of luck to you
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April 27th, 2007 7:50am

One more clue:As for Norton Internet Security settings, open internet security and firewall options and add your local network to trusted networks (there is a button on the bottom of appropriate window). It solved the problem in my case.
May 20th, 2007 10:48pm

Thank you redondo77 for taking the time to write what you had gone through. Your procedure was very helpful. I was able to setup my network successfuly with Vista
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May 29th, 2007 3:25am

I am starting to feel left out - everyone seems to be finding fixes for their networking issues with Vista and XP, and I still am having no luck! Vista laptop still can't access XP files and printer, however, it is visible on the "full network map" but not initially when you click on "networks and sharing" in Vista. That just shows the laptop to the router to the internet. In the "full" map, the desktop with XP is shown, but you can't click on it. Therefore, I can't print via the network, nor can I access the files ont he XP desktop...still (it does work the other way however, the XP desktop can access the files on the Vista laptop, oh...also they can both ping eachother successfully!). I have tried all the fixes I could find here in forums yet nothing seems to work. Ugh.
May 29th, 2007 7:47pm

Lee811g ... Have youchecked the registry on your WinXP machine per MS article 913628 that I found by searching MS for "error message when you try to access a Windows XP-based network computer: "You might not have permission to use this network resource". See the article at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913628. Since WinXP can see Vista it strikes me that WinXP is the badboy ... if you run bare (no firewall or other security progs) on WinXP do the results change?
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May 31st, 2007 6:28am

Hi redondo77... I did that, the value is set correctly on the xp machine. I also turned off all firewalls (only running windows firewall on both) and all virus scans, also turned off firewall on router...nothing. Dell tech support keeps saying that it SHOULD be working - all settings are correct and there is no reason why vista laptop can't access xp desktop. It's still a mystery. I think there is some setting in the network properties on the xp machine that is causing this, I just don't know which one it could be. Thanks for help!
May 31st, 2007 5:46pm

I posted this in another thread the final fix was Item 2 the netbios over tcpip setting being the same on both and in my case set at default. To set up XP I followed http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/clientwiz.htm To set up vista i followed http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/vista/Vista_network_options.shtml Things I noticed 1 Need to make a passworded user on both 2.You need to setup the tcpip properties of the network card the same .This was my error I had 1 set to disable netbios over tcpip and 1 to the default ( this in in WINS tab of advanced properties of tcpip setup.) I set both to default as I have a router acting as DHCP server. 3.doing above got me all but c and d drive on the XP PC working. edit 3a The C and D drives were showing a "not enough server storage message" This pointed to http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;177078 Two reboots did not help but could have helped in 4 below 4. To get the latter and this is where I fluked it I tried the discussion above posts re setting permissions on the drive but here tried to set them on the XP Pc from the vista PC . When I tried it said no way would it allow me to do it BUT the constant "you do not have permission to access this drive" message vanished and now I have working mounted drives even for XP c drive though havent tried opening files on that drive. Jpgs open on the others and I moved my sons 8Gb everquest install between Pcs. Really item 4 I feel was a my senario only case as it has been like that for a while between XPs Pcs as well and my permission test might have reset something that was awry really a fluke but the above links did help.
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June 1st, 2007 12:55am

Please check out my computer blog todayon how I successfully resolved theXP <> Vista networking issue at http://www.svabhinava.org/Dia-Gnosis/SuntharVisuvalingam/ComputerBlogs/VistaXP-frame.php If anyone else succeeds, please let the rest of us know what other or different steps you needed to take, by responding to my previous post (today) here at http://forums.microsoft.com/technet/ShowPost.aspx?postid=1683125&siteid=17 Sunthar
June 3rd, 2007 3:40am

Man, Redondo, You're the bomb. Bloody Nortons. Knew I should have thrown it out. More trouble than it's worth.......... Thanks Heaps.
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June 3rd, 2007 10:05am

I also had the same problem and after I installed this update, everything worked perfect! Thanks!
June 4th, 2007 6:30am

Redondo77- Fantastic post. I did everything you had on your 5 point checklist and my network can all see each other now. Thanks so much, there are some very tricky settings in vista. Viviank
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June 7th, 2007 2:29am

Glad to be of assist. Now I'm looking for the solution to my Vista Backup problem (backup to network drive asks for drive userid/password when none exist or should be required - a lengthy forum under Vista Applications indicates I'm not a Lone Ranger on this problem either).Redondo77
June 7th, 2007 3:57am

Redondo77; Good stuff here! See if you can figure out this one: I have 2 Windows XP Pro SP2 Desktops (1 User System, 1 used as a File Server System), 1 Vista Business Laptop, 1 Vista Home Desktop, & 1 D-Link Print Server, allnetworked together. The two Vista Systems see everything on the networkand can access everything exceptfor the XP File Server System. The XP User System can see everything and access everything. The XP File Server System only sees the XP User System, and nothing else. The settings (everything I can think of) are the same on both XP Systems. I have Norton Antivirus 2007 on all systems. All settings here are also the same (as much as possible with the minor differences between the Antivirus on the Vista Systems vs. the XP Systems). Any ideas? Thanks.
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June 10th, 2007 10:11pm

DAK Engineering ... Let me suggest breaking-down the problem into subsets so that the fewest number of variables can be examined and corrected at a time. If we name the systems and the subsets we have: XPU (XP User), XPS (XP Server), VL (Vista Laptop), VD (no laughing - Vista desktop), and PS (Print Server).The subsets for examining are (if I understand):XPU -> XPS: no issues, one-way comm (XPU needs to "see" XPS, not vice-versa)XPU -> PS: no issues, one-way comm (XPU issues commands to PS, not vice-versa)VL <-> VD: no issues, two-way commVL <-> XPU: no issues, two-way commVL -> PS: no issues, one-way commVL <-> XPS: ISSUEVD <-> XPU: no issues, two-way commVD -> XPS: ISSUEVD -> PS: no issues, one-way commIf this problem breakdown is correct, it would seem that the XP Server must have SOME setting that differs from the XP User system. Otherwise, one would expect them to behave similarly (of course, will all the variations in possible settings, this can be a challenge).I didn't see firewalls mentioned. To start the diagnosis, I'd recommend starting with security software. Disconnect from the internet and then disable ALL firewalls (including Windows firewall) on one Vista machine and the XP User. I suggest doing this with a hardwired connection via a router. Check for the registry setting per Step 5 of my prior post. Check for and disable any other security software you have running that might be the cause. Document any error messages, dialogue boxes or other potential flags. You may also wish to re-run the Vista Network Wizard at this point. Before re-connecting to the internet, ensure all security software is re-enabled.Try this and post results to this forum ... Redondo77
June 11th, 2007 11:55pm

This troubleshooting breakdown seems to unnecessarily 'fine-grained' and complicated: How is the distinction between laptop and desktop relevant in this (networking) context? How is the distinction between server and user relevant in this (peer-to-peer) context? Also, turing of all firewalls should probably be only a last resort, for granting the appropriate trusts seems to immediately slve the problem. Regards, Suntrhar
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June 15th, 2007 10:15pm

Sunthar, the problem breakdown was only to confirm that the issue was just between the XP Server and the Vista pcs. Just breaking narrative text into a series of givens. Sort of like converting a paragraph to bullet points. Not step-wise diagnostics, just clarification.In RE turning-off the firewall ... the point of doing that (with the internet connection closed-down, of course) is to see if the problem can be isolated there. I saw no mention of firewall settings in the writing by DAK Engineering.Yours, Redondo77
June 16th, 2007 3:02am

After trying to solve this problem on and off for several evenings I finally stumbled on this post. I had earlier found the LLTD download but this did not solve my vista to xp machine connectivity. Finally the 913628 fix did the trick. I'm glad that's over....
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June 16th, 2007 8:38am

Hey guys, enjoyed reviewing your posts about Vista and Windows Sharing. Have you investigated LLDP yet ? (Logical Link Discovery Protocol). It's Vista's new graphical network mapping feature - Vista can draw a pictorial view of your network showing pc, switches, routers, modems, gateways, etc. It's pretty cool. I'm trying to get it working in a domain without success. I've downloaded the XP LLDP Responder, turned off both firewalls and simple file sharing,and invoked the GPO for LLDP on the clients without success. I've put the clients on a dumb hub to see if my Switch wasn't working well with LLDP with no luck. Please reviewmy original post here: http://www.vistababble.com/forums/vista-features/2047-vistas-new-network-pictorial-map-diagrams.html Not a whole lot of action on my other postshere: http://thevistaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=16600 http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1754005&SiteID=17 Can anyone help me with this? ANSWER HERE: I think I finally found the problem after posting this on 4 forums. Per http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?t=693277&page=2 several people had the same issue I did "Windows cannot create a network map for the selected type of network connection when they had installed NVidia ethernet driver (v65.55). Both of my Vista Machines are AMD 64 X2 PC's and the Asus motherboards are using NVidia Chipsets. I need to get back to some real work so I'm going to guess that my issue lies in having the NVidia driver installed. I looked at the NIC properties and the "Rollback Driver" button is grayed out so there appears to be no easy way to try a different driver right now. Case closed - for now!
June 19th, 2007 9:00pm

The two links below could also help with networking home or office computers. They explain everything that needs to happen in order for computers to be networked successfully. http://www.maximumpcguides.com/share-a-folder-in-windows-vista/ http://www.maximumpcguides.com/browse-a-network/
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June 19th, 2007 9:38pm

Hello, It seems that there are still various simploifications, limitations, and bugs to the LLTD responder that are outlined here (11/26/2006): http://research.microsoft.com/~rjblack/Topology/#topslave I'll add a linked note on this to my blog on XP<>Vista networking: http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1683125&SiteID=17 Please let us know the eventual outcome... Sunthar
June 22nd, 2007 12:43am

Turning off UAC (User Account Control) did the trick for me.Start --> Control Panel --> Classic View --> User Accounts --> Turn User Account Control on or OffThis also turns off the annoying error msgs asking you if it's okay to run certain things.Hope this works.-wt
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June 26th, 2007 5:12am

I haven't tried changing the Norton security settings but I believe this will solve my problem. I set up my Vista machine and immediately found and connected to my XP desktop on my network and it was fine for several days like this. After "activating" and setting upthe 30 day Norton antivirus that came pre-installed I lost my connections and for the last 3 days have been going nuts to try and figure out why and tried many different things. Hopefully this will solve my problems - thanks for the posts.
June 27th, 2007 7:53pm

Thank you for taking the time to help everyone out. Your detail explanation and Microsoft's Articles made this problem go away quickly. Thanks again. P.S. My issue was not with XP and Vista....but with Vista and W2k2003 Server. Your fix worked.
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July 4th, 2007 11:41pm

wt7... YOU MADE IT WORK FOR ME... Thanks!
July 6th, 2007 12:37pm

Thank you very much!!! I've searched many sites but I haven't resolved the problem. I will try and I hope it would work.
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July 20th, 2007 7:15am

Alright, this has me stumped bad and it's really testing my patience.The two computers in question are a desktop running XP Professional and a Dell notebook running Vista Ultimate. Prior to installing Vista on the notebook, it also had XP Professional on it and I had the two networked perfectly. Both could see each other over the network and I was sharing files back and forth. Then I installed Vista.Both computers are on the same workgroup. Both have the Guest account turned on. I have no add on firewalls (Norton, ZoneAlarm) installed on either computer. I have Windows Firewall--all of Security Center, actually--turned off on both machines. I have the LLTD Protocol installed on the XP system as well as NetBios. File sharing is enabled on both machines. I have done the fix for 913628 . I can access Vista shares from XP but not vice versa. I can see the desktop from Vista if I go to "View Full Map" but nothing more. Am I missing something?Brian
July 22nd, 2007 6:38pm

What happens when you try to map onto your Vista laptop a shared drive from the XP desktop? What error or other message do you get?
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July 22nd, 2007 9:37pm

"Windows cannot access [share]."
July 24th, 2007 5:21am

BCS296 ... I assume you've gone through the suggestions I previously posted here as Redondo77 as well as those posted by Sunthar as svAbhinava.If no success with these you might try another thread at TechNet Windows Vista Networking forums - try the thread at: http://forums.microsoft.com/technet/showpost.aspx?postid=1175590&siteid=17&sb=0&d=1&at=7&ft=11&tf=0&pageid=0I also posted there and noted that there were a lot of postings about problems accessing shared drives. Post your problem there and also scroll through the thread to see if you find a new possible solution.Most of what I saw that may be new to your efforts was related to problems with XP seeing a share on Vista - you're having the opposite problem. I assume you're not trying to map at the root level and you're trying to map a My Documents folder to your Vista machine.Good luck. If I have any new ideas, I'll post.Redondo77
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July 25th, 2007 12:21am

Paul Herbert, 3 words! YOU DA MAN!
July 27th, 2007 12:13pm

redondo77 wrote: Windows Networking Vista and WinXP 4) Download and install Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) onto the WinXP machines. Just a nicety, this enables the network map in Vista to show all machines on the network. 5) And the final step: check the registry on your WinXP machine per MS article 913628 that I found by searching MS for "error message when you try to access a Windows XP-based network computer: "You might not have permission to use this network resource". See the article at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913628. This finally did the trick for my network. Hi Redondo77. Thanks a lot for your discovery. I had spent about three weeks before I reached your thread and was able to fix the problem. In my case I did not have the need to install LLTD, though I did it, becoz my vista and xp were showing each other. And I was able to access Vista from XP. But the final step did the trick for me. My LSA value was 2. After changing it to 0, the Vista was able to access the XP instantly. I was likea magic for that moment. And the feeling of achievement I had was just great because of your help. Thanks!
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August 13th, 2007 5:35am

I followed all the steps in the checklist and still had a variant of this problem viz sometimes the XP computers would be visible to the Vista machine and at other times they would not (XP machines could always see the Vista machine and use its shares). Did one extra Norton Internet Security Step which seems to have worked viz. enabled bi-directional flows in the allow Netbios, Netbios Name and File Sharing settings for the private IP addresses of the devics on my network in the advanced settings of the firewall. Now, the XP machines take a little time to become visible again to the VIsta machine after that computer resumes from a low power state, but they are consistently available (at least for today when I implemented the above)
August 14th, 2007 11:57pm

We have tried most of these "fixes" NONE of them helped. I believe this forum only exists to distract Microsoft users. Most of the "fixes" are probably gibberish written by Microsoft employees to keep you wasting your time, rather than buying buying apple.
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August 15th, 2007 2:29am

Which was it, Semantec - MacAfee - WLOC - which tool? Am I supposed to believe that THIS is a serious post?
August 15th, 2007 2:33am

That was the easiest fix I've seen all day. Thank you so much.
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August 18th, 2007 6:54pm

You are an absolute star for putting this up with your 5 step solution. I had done some of it, but hadnt thought of the Norton stealth additional settings. Following your instructions solved the problem. I completely despair of how systems are let out like this from the shops with no advice or guidance on what to check. Thanks - you have saved me much pain and heartache, not to mention wasted time. Your post should be included as a paper slip in every Vista system shipped!
August 20th, 2007 4:05pm

A BIG thank you to all who posted on this thread. Redondo, I followed your 5 steps to a "T" and it WORKED! I'm shocked but not surprised, thank you to EVERYONE who walked before me and shared their process. I'd been working on this since Monday, WHEW!
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August 23rd, 2007 7:07pm

Same problem here. I have two Vista computers, and one XP Pro computer, on a lan. The Vista computers can see each other and share files fine between them, however neither of the Vista computers can access shared folders on the XP computer. The XP computer shows up in Network on the Vista computers. The XP computer can access shared folders on the two Vista boxes after authenticating. I installed the LLTD protocol on the XP box, to no avail. Workgroup name is same across all computers. I unset Simple File Sharing on the XP box and opened up permissions so Everyone has read and change access, no change. Pinging the XP box's IP address from Vista times out. On the Vista computers, Network Discovery and File Sharing are turned on. This all worked transparently when there were only XP computers on the lan.
August 30th, 2007 7:07pm

And I tried the 5-step procedure, didn't help at all.
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August 30th, 2007 7:32pm

Just a thought- are you using an NVidia chipset or NVidia network drivers? Per http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?t=693277&page=2 several people had the same issue I did "Windows cannot create a network map for the selected type of network connection when they had installed NVidia ethernet driver (v65.55).
August 30th, 2007 7:37pm

No, I am not, not on any of the three boxes.
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August 30th, 2007 9:39pm

Two questions:1. Have you tried connecting with NO active firewall software (even Windows firewall) on the WinXP machines (disconnected from the internet, of course)? Purpose: isolate whether firewall settings are causing the problem.2. Have you checked the registry settings on your WinXP macines per MS article 913628?
August 31st, 2007 12:46am

Yes, and yes. And thanks for trying to help, btw.
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August 31st, 2007 1:00am

Thanks very much, all you people... I don't know whose suggestions really helped, but I'm finally in business - My Vista system can access my XP one, and vice versa. Much appreciated!
September 3rd, 2007 2:35pm

I got it figured out, and it was something I'd suspected for a while. My roommate's workplace had installed some software that allowed him to join their network so he could work from home, and it included VPN software. I booted into Safe Mode with networking support and, voila, all the shares were instantly visible and accessible. Thanks for all those who jiggled some brain cells in my direction over this.
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September 5th, 2007 5:02am

Nor for me - I tried all the steps and nothing worked, but someone on this thread suggested Network Magic and I used the free 7-day trial and they cured the problem within minutes with my Vista laptop finally 'seeing' the XP desktop. Not so with using the printer attached to the desktop (from the Vista laptop) though. But I tried HP's online chat with a techie and within 10 minutes the printer was installed on the laptop and now I can happily work on my laptop and print out on the HP located in the basement. If I can just train the kids to bring the printed sheets up stairs...... I was so impressed with all the features of the Network magic that I have paid the one-time $29.99 for the premium version. > And I tried the 5-step procedure, didn't help at all
September 5th, 2007 6:21am

After three weeks of head banging...I followed your 5 steps and, Lo, it worked!!!!! Thank you, thank you , THANK YOU!!!
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September 8th, 2007 4:24am

Well guys you really are great. After trying for some time (no I won't say how long I'm too ashamed), I realised why have I not looked on the Microsoft website. After reading many of the replies I felt a bit aprehensive since some solutions seemed a bit confusing. However I tried the post that suggested changing the LSA in the registryto 0 and checking my firewalls (I was certain both computers only had 1 firewall on). After changing the setting on the XP Desktop that and restarting the computer, I check my laptop (Philips X57 with Ultimate ) and clicked on my XP network share. Much to my amazement it suddenly showed the firewall on the Ultimate was OK for sharing but somewhere else it is preventing it. When I checked my XP Windows firewall I noticed it was ON (how did that happen I was certain it was one of the 1st things I cancelled when I installed McAfee). As soon as I disabled the Windows firewall my Vista Ultimate laptop recognised the network. Yippee, now all I had to do is install the printer driver for it when prompted to do so. Life is Great isn't it guys. My partner thought so too since her Vista Premium onher laptop couldn't do it also.
September 10th, 2007 1:33am

Redondo77 rocks. I thought I was the only person having this problem with my XP desktop and newer Vista laptop. The Vista laptop could not get access to the desktop files (even after I properly shared them) unless I shut off the Norton Internet Security 2005 firewall running on the desktop. I did steps 1.2 (except I did it on the XP desktop and only for the laptop's IP address ... given I didn't really know what the NetBIOS settings were for) and 4. Now I can access my desktop files from my laptop (only took me 9 months to figure it out). Mario
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October 8th, 2007 6:25am

I got it working by doing what redondo77said to to but I could still not print I set the port up \\PCname\Printer but it still didn't work what I ended up doing was opening up the shared files on my XP Pc then open the printer folder on the Visat laptop and drag the printer I wanted to use over to the Vista Laptop and droped it in the printers folder then set it as the defalt printer it works fine Now
October 26th, 2007 8:59am

I've tried everything posted here and nothing works for me WinXP desktop Vista laptop WinXP to Vista works just fine, file sharing etc, Vista to WinXP problem: Vista sometimes can see my desktop (SONY) in Network window, but when I double click on it, after a while I get the error message: "Cannot connect to \\SONY...Network path not found" and when I select Diagnose the problem: "Cannot Communicate with SONY(192.168.1.104) Network diagnostics pinged the remote host but did not receive a response.Windows found a problem that cannot be repaired automatically........." Any help is appreciated. Thanks
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October 27th, 2007 6:47am

After monitoring this thread for a few months, it still seems to me that security software (including Windows firewall) is the most likely culprit.Have you tried: Disabling all security software? Connecting all pcs via cable to router (vs wireless)?Alternatively, can you implement the same security software app on your WinXP pc as you have on your Vista pc? I think most of the problems I was having related to ZoneAlarm on WinXP pc and Norton Internet Security on Vista pc.What a pip. Hope this helps.
October 27th, 2007 6:16pm

hi, I am actually having thesame problem here regarding workgroups with Winxp and Vista, heres the scenarioWe have 3 computers, 1 Deskstop PC running Windows XP , 1 Laptop Running Vista and another Laptop Running Windows XPthe 2 Laptops are wirelessly connected and the Desktop PC thru ethernet connectionwe all setup file and printer sharing on all computers and under the same WorkgroupsMcafee is installed on both Winxp Computers and Kapersky on VistaProblem is whenever we try clicking on the view workgroup computers under My Network Places on the Desktop PC, it only gives us the "ding.wav" sound so we cant access the shared folders over the networkbut the 2 laptops (vista/xp) could access the shared folders of the desktop pc and their shared folders as well and use the printer that is connected on the desktop pcall fault seems to point to the desktop pc, whats is the next best thing to do now?
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November 15th, 2007 3:11pm

redondo77, thank you SO much. As soon as I fixed the norton BS, it worked fine!
December 1st, 2007 9:45am

Hi, I am new to the fourm and new to this problem, I had no idea that there are so many people having this issue. Here is my problem, I just installed a wireless network, whereby the new Vista machine is connected directly to a router and my old XP machine is connectedvia wireless networkusb adapter, the wireless xp machine connects to the internet, no problem, and the vista machine is connected to the internet via the router, no problem. In addtion, ifI view thefull networkmap in vistaI can seethe xpmachine. My problem is that I cannot share filesor share printers on either machine.On the XP machine, when I try and add printer from the add printer wizard I see the Vista machine but I cannot findor enter it's printer name. My question is, am I close tomaking files and printers shared, any suggestions where to gofrom here. Thanks Howard
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December 2nd, 2007 6:59pm

Thanks for all of your help. I have recently experienced the same problems, and have not yet had luck figuring this out. The LLTD download - is this installed on the XP computer or the Vista computer. I downloaded on both and probably shouldn't have. On my XP computer, I can see the Vista laptop icon, when I double click on it. I get the error that you mentioned in #5 above. When I went into the registry data, I already had it set to the right value.Any suggestions on how to resolve this?
December 3rd, 2007 3:51am

When I turned on my new Vista machine in my XP home network workgroup, all computers saw each other and I could not believe the luck. Unfortunately it did not last at all: now the XP machines see Vista, but not the opposite. I am pretty sure that this coincided with my trustful gullability to click yes on the preinstalled Symantec Norton 60 days trial.So I decided to uninstall Norton, in combination with the fact that I could not figure out any way to deselect or disactivate Norton ***. However, the network sharing did not return to work.Any ideas as to what I shall to do to reinstate what Norton messed up without reinstalling (which I don't have anyway)?thank you much.stefano
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December 5th, 2007 7:46pm

Stafano, if WinXP can see Vista but not the converse, then I suggest you try: 1) Firewall settings - one of the biggest hassles. To get started I suggest you FIRST disconnect your network from the internet (for your protection), then disable ALL firewalls (including Windows firewall) on ALL machines, and then work to get your home network operating internally. 1.1) My WinXP machines have ZoneAlarm and I needed to ensure that all machines on the network were in the trusted zone. Go to the Zone tab of Firewall settings in ZoneAlarm free version. Ensure all of your machines IP addresses are listed, as well as that of your router or wireless access point. 1.2) My Vista laptop came loaded with Norton Internet Security. Go to Norton Internet Security tab, open settings, scroll to bottom, open internet security and firewall options, open advanced settings, open configure, change default inbound NetBIOS, inbound NetBIOS name, and Block Windows File Sharing to ALLOW. Configuring this beast of an app required a lot of trial, error and googling the Symantec site and others. 2) Ensure sharing is enabled on all machines. It is quite different for Vista vs WinXP. The procedure is fairly straightforward and is well documented on the MS site and elsewhere. In Network and Sharing Center it is critical on Vista machine that you have your network configured as Private and that the Sharing and Discovery Settings are set to ON except for Password Protected Sharing. Link for Vista: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/evaluate/vista_fp.mspx Link for WinXP: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=FD7FD48D-6B4A-448E-A632-076F98A351A2&displaylang=en 3) Workgroup name. Ensure you are using the same workgroup name on all machines. WinXP and Vista machines have different default workgroup names. WinXP: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/windows_network_changename.mspx?mfr=true Vista: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5723d061-b884-40da-b5e7-94a55f6fcead1033.mspx and http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/baab4f1a-2461-482d-bb2e-c996a197e35f1033.mspx 4) Download and install Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) onto the WinXP machines. Just a nicety, this enables the network map in Vista to show all machines on the network. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4f01a31d-ee46-481e-ba11-37f485fa34ea&DisplayLang=en 5) And the final step: check the registry on your WinXP machine per MS article 913628 that I found by searching MS for "error message when you try to access a Windows XP-based network computer: "You might not have permission to use this network resource". See the article at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913628. This finally did the trick for my network. Hopefully, one of these five will do the trick. I'm thinking it may be #5 in your case. Good luck ... redondo77
December 5th, 2007 11:14pm

Ok so I have read all these about XP and Vista, but what about 2000 advanced server? I can't seem to get that to work at all. I've shared out all the drives, permitted everyone, but no visibility. If anyone can figure that one out I'd be grateful....
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December 8th, 2007 9:13am

redondo Changing the settings on my norton firewall allowed me to see the other computers on my office network from my new notebookrunning vista home premium.I can see files and printer on other computers running XP. However I have one computer running NT 4.0. I can see it but can't access the shared files. Any advice?
December 9th, 2007 11:49pm

G'day I triedeverything everybody posted hereto network my XP PC to my Vista laptopstill no luckso Iscoured the web again and found a program that worked it took seconds to download and fix here's a link for it www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.htmlhope it work for you guys it repairs parts of the registry where old firewalls left registry keys behind
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January 1st, 2008 5:52pm

Beware. I ran www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.htmlon my XP machine and it screwed up a firewall settings. Windows security center was reporting a security risk due to the firewall being off, but firewall properties were set to ON. Turning it off and back on did not help. And, the program did not fix my original issue with Vista not connecting to XP. Simple System Restore fixed the firewall settings.
January 1st, 2008 6:36pm

Hi, the error message i am receiving is a bit different that what has been described above...my question, is the answer provided above the same, or should a different path be taken? The error message is:workgroup is not accessible. you might not have permission to use this network resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. This message did not return a valid reply from the msn search facility. My goal is to network an xp box with a vista ultimate (32-bit...non-sp1) box via ethernet connected router and share a printer attached to the xp box. I did check the registery in xp as described in step 5 above, and it was already '0'. I am getting a shared internet connection that works correctly; i cannot see the xp box on the vista network display and i cannot see the vista box on the xp display (am prevented by the error message noted above). Norton is the security product; windows firewall is turned off on both boxes. the workgroup name is the same on both boxes. Your thoughts are appreciated.
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March 23rd, 2008 7:16pm

Hello to all new to the Vista compatibility nightmare (myself) and those who have been struggling with it for awhile. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the solutions here, where would us consumers be without these blogs and threadsto help usfigure out the confusing world of tech. and the companies who create it. Wait, aren't those same co. that create the problems, responsible for the technology that makes these threads possible, where we find the solutions to the problems they created. Maybe they just shouldn't create the problems in the first place. But what fun would that be. Oh the irony! I love tech, I'm a bit of a junkie, and normally I love figuring out the solutions, but this one took me the better part of four days. My problem was basically the same as all the others, new Vista notebook not recog. printer on networked XP home pc. I tried most of the solutions here, and some elsewhere and nothing was working. My error message was a window popping up when I would try to send something to my HP Photosmart c4180 from my Dell Vista notebook wirelessly. The message in the window was "windows cannot connect to the printer, access is denied". I googled that exact error message and found my final solution here: http://www.proprofs.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8063. The solution was this, from the link above (the solution actually was found by this person as a post on microsoft.com): "Just want to share what I have discovered with windows vista. If you would like to connect to a remote printer in a remote computer connected in your router do the following: Go to Control Panel. Choose printer. Then choose Add Printer.Choose Add a local printer. Click on Create a new port. The default in the drop down box is Local Port. Do not change that. Click Next.A dialogue box will appear asking for you to enter a port name. Type in the \\computer name\printer name .special credit to Melonhead on his posting on microsoft." The key here is "add a local printer", not "add a network printer", which I had tried numerous times with no luck. The only thing I would add to this is that after you type in comp name\printer name and hit next you have to install drivers for your printer. Instead of selecting from the drop down list I selected "have disc" and actually loaded the HP drivers by putting in the cd that came with the printer.Probably doesn't make a difference butthat's how I did it. That was it, that simple, andmyVista notebook was nowable to print wirelessly to the networked HP printer. I was always able toaccesssharedXPdocson my Vista notebook. Actuallyshortly after I did some initialnetwork sharing when I first took the notebook out of the box, I was able to do everything but print. It was only the printing that wasn't working. Maybe because I also did many of the otherpotential fixes here and elsewhere, it was a combination. I will probably never knowthe exact formula. But for those still strugglingI suggest trying the above first, along with basic Network Sharing items that you should with Vista out of the box. Good luck to everyone.
April 8th, 2008 8:57pm

Am having same/similar problem here. Four computers home networked using only Netgear HUB. #1 running Vista Business (new computer) #2 running Vista Home Premium (new computer) #3 running Xp Pro (2 years old) #4 running Win-2000 (4 years old) The Vista computers only see each other and have difficulty with transfers The Xp computer see's nothing The Win-2000 computer sees all 3 others & can transfer file between. All 4 computers can go through the HUB and connect to the internet on DSL modem. Have just become aware of LLTD update for Xp but not yet installed as don't think this will fix any (all?) problems..... Can Anyone offer advise or help?
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April 14th, 2008 8:00pm

Have you completed these key steps?1) Ensured all computers have same workgroup name (default is different for XP and Vista, not sure about Win2K)2) Entered the IP address of all four computers and the Router into the trusted hosts/networks setting for your security software firewall3) Double-checked the Vista PCs network settings are set to Private Network and that file and printer sharing are enabled. 4) Double-checked file sharing and printer sharing settings on the WinXP and Win2K machines.LLTD update for XP is nice but not necessary. Go ahead and do it as an aid in the future.What a pain, eh? MSFT could have done much better.
April 14th, 2008 11:28pm

Thanks to all who have responded with suggestions. Yes, all 4 computers are domain : workgroup and all 4 have file & printer sharing set and all 4 have a HD partition set for sharing. The Vista computers still don't see the Xp computer after LLTD was installed. I don't know how to find-enter the IP address of each computer into trusted hosts on my firewall. All computers are nowrunning PC-Cillin as anti-virus and firewall---have tried disabling this for tests but itdid not resolve any issue. No ROUTER is involved that I am aware, only a HUB.
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April 17th, 2008 4:00pm

Check with PC-Cillin's support on entering IP addresses of your trusted hosts into the firewall software. If you have a small local network connected via a modem to the internet then you have a router. You will want to ensure that its IP address is also entered as a trusted host.If Vista PC cannot see XP PC then the problem may be that you need to edit the registry on your XP machines. This was the final stumbling block with my home network.Check and edit (as required) Registry Setting on WinXP machines. I found this step by searching MS for "error message when you try to access a Windows XP-based network computer: "You might not have permission to use this network resource". I edited the registry on my WinXP machines per MS article 913628 at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913628.<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->This problem and security software have been my biggest challenges in helping clients with their home networks.<!--[endif]-->
April 17th, 2008 7:51pm

A Solution for Road Runner Subscribers using Hubs: After following all the great advice in this thread, I finally discoveredmy problem was in myhome network configuration. Time Warner allows multiple computers (up to four, I think)to simultaneous connect through their modem to the internet. Of course, each computer is assigned an independent IP address by their DCHP server. Unfortionately, this server includes several subnets and if your home computers are assigned different subnets, they won't be able to see each other. Check your IP addresses (run, cmd, ipconfig) and if the first two octects are the same on all your computers, you should be OK - if not, you will never get home networking to work. The solution: replace the simple hub with a router.The router includes DCHP service and will assigncompatible addresses to you computers.
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May 3rd, 2008 9:14pm

I had a similar problem. It was solved by putting an entry in the hosts file. C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc just put the ip adress in flowed by the full computer name.
August 26th, 2008 11:00pm

Hi there!There are on the Internet 100000000 people who have been experiencing ptoblem in networking Vista and XP.I have read and tried so many solutions......non of them worked.Then I found this program, which is free (or you can buy for almost 2 packet of cigarettes) and it does everything in 5 minutes even if you are not an expert: http://www.networkmagic.com/You will then able to share printers and folders in one click.It worked really well since vista and xp have different mechanism.Hope this work for you.S
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September 4th, 2008 10:41am

I have the same problem and had no luck at all My main machine runs Vista Home Prem and our other machine runs XPsp3
October 7th, 2008 12:18pm

I used to experience the same problem and these are the steps I followed to get my network going between Vista and XP. Source: PC Technology
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November 11th, 2008 12:43am

vista is pathetic!I've tried everything on this thread...all six pages and I still can't see the devices on XP. When I map the network I see the computer but I cannot see any files or printers. Three days I've been working at it.In just 2 hours however, I have installed Linux (XANDROS) on my machine and printed on the XP first try!!
November 29th, 2008 8:06pm

I've had it!Just got a Vista 64 machine yesterday. Hooked it to my XP network...NOTHING, NADA, ZIP!I've been through 100's of pages of documents, and nothing works.SETUP:Vista 64 Machine connected to Linksys Hub (in home office)Linksys Hub connects to Linksys Dual N-Band Router (in basement)Dual N-Band Router hooks to Linksys Cable Modem (in basement)ALL IS GOOD THERE!!!XP Pro Machine (SP3 - DON'T tell me to download the stupid KB922120 Patch...its already in SP3)XP Pro machine has exact same connection scheme as Vista 64 machineBOTH machines get to the internet.My XP Machine SEES the VISTA machine, but I can't access it (yes, I have sharing enabled and all that rot...)All machines have the same worgroup name (Currently WORKGROUP)VISTA Does have McAfee Security Center installed, but I have turned off the Firewall there.The funny thing? When I originally started debugging this, McAfee's "Manage Network" saw ALL my PC's, but said there were issues...VISTA never saw the PC's. Now McAfee doesn't even recognize that a network exists. Sheesh!Any ideas? I'm ready to rip this P.O.S. Operating System off and install the 64-Bit version of Windows 7 Beta that I have!!! M.S. How can you screw something up this freaking bad? 30 years in the computer field, and this just takes the cake!Any and all help is welcome!!!
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March 27th, 2009 4:38pm

You got it done faster than I did (it took me two weeks, working on and off).The one thing I might add is that, if your firewall allows it, you should input your NICs MAC addresses (wired and wireless) instead of IP addresses to the "Trusted" tab.For example we have "Time Warner" and connect dynamically for the Internet, so we do not have a set IP. Otherwise, you had to do the same things I did, its not smooth, but it works.
June 1st, 2009 10:29pm

Follow the steps by redondo77 then one more thing, if your firewall allows it, you should input your NICs MAC addresses (wired and wireless) instead of IP addresses to the "Trusted" tab.
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June 1st, 2009 10:33pm

Have you tried creating a different workgroup name. My suggestion is too start from scratch. Run the "set up a home or small office network" wizard on all computers. Follow the wizard's instructions and give your workgroup an unique name. Once you have established it on the first computer(lets say the XP machine), the new workgroup name will be valid. Once you run the wizard on each computer and put in the workgroup name you established on the XP machince, and complete the wizard, all should be fine. But you should ALWAYS change that default name "workgroup" to an unique name.
June 30th, 2009 6:55am

I've tried the suggestions in this thread and still can't get things working. I'm hoping someone can give me some other ideas on what to do or check.- All 3 computers access the Internet fine but cannot see each other, that includes the two Vista computers not seeing each other. Each computer only sees itself in the network.- I cannot access a shared folder on the XP computer nor can I connect to a shared printer on the XP computer. - The XP computer's shared folder and printer are not found when I use the computer's share name or the IP address.- I cannot map a drive letter to the XP shared folder on either Vista computer, using the XP computer's network name or IP address, the error is the computer or share is not found.- The network uses a D-Link router to connect to the Internet. The router does not have access control or similar restrictions enabled.- There is one wired XP Pro computer and two wireless Vista laptops.- All computers are getting their IP addresses from the router's DHCP server.- I manually enabled NetBIOS over TCP/IP in the network configs on all 3 computers in case the D-Link DHCP server doesn't explicitly enable it.- I can ping any computer from any other computer.- I brought in another XP laptop and plugged it into a wired port on the router and it sees the XP computer but not the Vista computers. The existing XP computer also saw the XP laptop but the Vista computers did not see it.- I tried one of the Vista laptops on a wired connection but no change.- I turned the Windows firewalls off on all 3 computers (redundant anyway with the router).- No computer has Norton Security or ZoneAlarm or such installed that I can find listed in the program list in Control Panel nor in program shortcuts. The Vista computers have McAfee Security Scan installed.- Windows LiveOneCare is not installed.- I have set the workgroup name to the same on all 3 and confirmed they are configured to use a workgroup not a domain.- I set the wireless connections on the Vista computers to private network.- One Vista computer was missing the Client for Microsoft Networks so I installed it.- In Client for Microsoft Networks the Name Service Provider was blank on both Vista computers so I set that to Windows Locator.
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October 6th, 2009 10:26am

I don't think this was mentioned enough....... YOU NEED MAKE PASSORDED USERS ON ALL COMPUTERS FOR FILE SHARING TO WORK. This fixed my problem of six months. Okay so I'm not the most secure computer user out there. I just don't like being bothered by passwords, when if someone hacks into my network, I don't think that would be effective. And if someone broke into my house, I really won't care if they can log into my computers. Thanks!
December 20th, 2009 6:25pm

I know this thread originated in 2007, but since people are still posting to it, and I referred to it when trying to solve my XP to Win7 problem, I'm adding my two cents worth too. After doing some of the stuff above, but still not having success in getting my XP notebook to see our Win7 computers, or vice versa, I rebooted my router and DSL modem. That fixed it. Hope this helps someone else.
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January 15th, 2010 4:19am

I don't think this was mentioned enough....... YOU NEED MAKE PASSORDED USERS ON ALL COMPUTERS FOR FILE SHARING TO WORK. This fixed my problem of six months. Okay so I'm not the most secure computer user out there. I just don't like being bothered by passwords, when if someone hacks into my network, I don't think that would be effective. And if someone broke into my house, I really won't care if they can log into my computers. Thanks! Is this what is required to network vista together which XP? Because if you only have XP machines, then you do not need password. I have been having the same problem as everyone else on this forum, XP not visible from vista, but vista is visible from XP. Following the standard network setup works fine for XP machines. I have installed LLTD responder on the XP machines but the only thing that does is make the XP visible in the vista network map. It still does not allow file sharing from vista to XP. Ive check the reg for the anonymouse user thing, that was fine, but still no success. As far i a can see i have don every thing correctly but still no luck. Im waiting to see results from disabling the UAC in vista
January 17th, 2010 5:31am

I still haven't found a solution even after trying a number of steps mentioned in the forum. I have been looking at this problem and noticed two things (which have been mentioned of course). 1.) under network properties > Microsoft client for networks > properties; there is the RPC drop down menu. One of the items on the menu is Windows locator. Windows locator should be selected as this is the correct option, and has been mentioned by others. But guess what, in vista i can't make it stick. It keeps going blank after i close all the properties windows. When i go back to check it, it is black and I have to select Windows locator again. I NEED HEEEEELLLPP!! 2.) In vista under network options, there is a radio button to turn file sharing ON or OFF. Mine is stuck on custom, which is not actually listed as an option. the only option is ON or OFF. Below that it says something about using my firewall to change this sharing setting, but i do not understand that because windows fire wall is turned off, and im using Zone alarm which is configured with the appropriate ports and ip addresses. So, Why is my file sharing radio button set to custom when custom is not an option, and how do i change this? Please help!
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January 31st, 2010 5:35am

Many Thanks, after setting up a new D-Link router I couldn't see or share files with my desktop. With your advice I looked at Norton and seen that file sharing was turned off. Turned it on and I could see my desktop in my network and could open my shared files.
April 12th, 2010 5:56am

Just want to say thanks to everyone who has offered suggestion, but unfortunately i've had it up to here with vista so i tried reinstalling XP. I bet you can't guess what happened. The previous vista installation disallowed me to install vista over XP. That was the last thread. In one fell swoop I wiped the HDD and started again from scratch. My computer Now with xp runs much better and has no connection issues. So for anyone else who is still racking the brains over problems mentioned above, give Vista the boot and stick to XP.
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April 12th, 2010 3:38pm

Just turn off password protection sharing in network of the control panel. I just recreated what you said and it worked for me.
April 21st, 2010 7:00pm

Have you found a solution yet? Here is my layout with simular problems. I have 1 computer running Windows 2000 advance server. I have 2 other computers running Windows Vista with service pack 2. I am able to see all 3 computers in my network map. I am able to get to each of the share directories from each others Vista systems. The server is asking for a username and password to access the shared directories or the shared printers. I have tried every username and password on my network and can not log into the server and access the shared directories. Don't know why. I downloaded and installed Windows 2000 service pack number 4. Now I no longer can even see the windows 2000 server in my network view. I can see and access both the vista systems from each other ok. Is there a new configuration I need to setup on the server now? All firewalls have been disabled for testing purposes only at this time. There should be nothing blocking access to the server. I can ping my server or other systems from any computer to any computer just fine. I can access the internet from all 3 computers just fine. (it is a slow dialup connection) but works. This seems to be a intranet only problem. Please let me know a.s.a.p. what you think. thanks. WildCrazyHorse
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July 26th, 2010 8:08pm

Hello WildCrazyHorse, Lemme give the solution before that I mentioned here what my understanding on your network. Windows Server 2000 ---- > Vista ------> Vista Both Vista resources are accessible by each other but not in the Server. Two questions for you... (1) Did your server is configured with domain? (2) Which flavour of vista OS you are having? (Basic, Home premium, Business or Ultimate) Answer the above question and based on that I would provide the solution.
August 8th, 2010 12:18am

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