Every time I reboot the win 7 comp. I get DIFFERENT networking status result1- Xp sees win 7 but can't access win7 but Win 7 sees Xp computers and access files.2- Xp sees Win 7 and access share files but Win 7 don't even displays XP computers.And many variations of above XP computers talk to each other with no problem. I have not changed any network seetings on XP computers. But I have tried everything on the Win 7 I turned off norton and windows 7 firewall.I turned off windows 7 password requirementI set win 7 shared folders to EVERYONEI reduced the win 7 encription from 128 bit to 64 I have seen many other post with similar problem and no clear answer yet.

Review this guide and see if anything clicks for you (might be overkill but nonetheless a good review) http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/share-files-and-printers-between-windows-7-and-xp/ have you verified that the XP computers have the LLTD Responder in the network adapter properties? There's not much you should be changing on the Windows 7 computers if you have network discovery on and file and print sharing turned on. Other than that, I made the the slight change (as mine didn't have the LLTD responder installed even though it should have been done with the SP3 install) had to install a hotfix to fix the problem. Oh and make sure you turn off Simple File Sharing on the XP machines. Sometimes it takes as long as 15 minutes before machines can be seen in the network but accessing via ip address is no problem MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

Thanks cdobbs, The funny thing is that after I posted the message, suddenly, all machines (mac,XP, XP, and Win7) connected to each other. So I thought the problem was solved. But at the next reboot Windows 7 can't see the others. There is some instability somewhere. It'a a little late today, tomorrow I will put install the patch on the XP's and post the results.

SOLVED!.Blame Norton firewall.The reason why sometimes Win 7 connected with all the computers and share files and sometimes it didn't was because Norton turned the firewall back ON after a period of time.When I turned the firewall off permanently. All the XP PC's including a Mac were visible to WIn7. and VISIBLE TO NORTON also. So then in Norton I changed the level of protection for each individual in the firewall mapping and turned the firewall ON again.So I didn't have to patch the XP PC's nor modify the register.Thanks to all who helped with ideasI spent days tinkering with the network setting in vane. But in the process I learn a few things