I have a laptop running Windows Vista Home and a PC running Windows XP Media Center... Both computer access the internet through a wireless router however the PC is hard wired. I have been having trouble getting file sharing to work, on XP i used to be able to search for the computers IP address and access the shared folders however on Vista i realised that there isnt a function like this. When i click start and network i can see the XP pc but when i try to click on it to access the files it comes up with an error message saying Windows cannot access \\XXXXX i dont know why this is. Both computers are in the MSHOME workgroup and Vista has file sharing enabled. I have checked everything and it just keeps coming up with the error message. If someone could helpi would be really greatful Thanks

Are you running Service Pack 2 on your windows XP machine. I have the same problem as you, I have an old desktop running Windows XP with no Service Pack and I have a laptop running Vista. I think I have managed to make my XP machine recognize the Vista machine but Vista can't recognize the XP machine. I looked into it a little further and I found somewhere, this was a little while ago, that said that it was a compatibility issue and that Vista can't recognize XP unless it is running Service Pack 2 or later. Unfortunately I can' t install Service Pack 2 on that computer, every time I do it crashes my system and I have to do a System Restore to a time before the SP2 install. I am about to scrap windows on it and run linux.

I have finally figured this thing out!! although I still cannot open my xp computer icon in the network folder, I can access my shared folders from xp first stop your anti-virus on both comps go to the network folder on vista and press ALTGo to Tools then map network drivechoose any drive letter u wantnow type the computer and folder you want to connect to Ex. I Put \\name of computer\name of folder your sharing on xpI left everything else as they were including the user name This creates a drive when you go to my computer. If it does not work for you mess around with it a bit and maybe you'll get it.

I tried it alland only this worked for me. I could see the Vista folders I was interested in sharing on the Windows XP Professional machine, but was denied permission to explore other than the Public folder. Trying to find out why the Public folder was available, I did a right click on the folder, clicked on Properties, clicked on the Sharing Tab, Advanced, Sharing, and finally clicked on Permissions. I noticed that this folder was being shared with Everyone on the network, and that full permissions to control and read the folder were checked below. By contrast the folder I wanted to share did not have the same properties. I changed the properties of the folder I could see but not share using my Vista machine, and when I do that, I can share any folder. No other computer outside of my network can see the folders I am sharing. Want to avoid this? Put everything on your Public folder and share it from there without having to alter your permission levels.

HELLO!!! DOES ANYONE BOTHER TO READ THE PROBLEM AND UNDERSTAND IT FULLY!!! I SEE SEVERAL POSTS FOR ... "EVERYONE... SOLUTION THAT DOESN'T DEAL WITH THE STATED TROUBLE.The problem stated is that a Vista PC cannot access an XP machines files. Not the other way around.The solution Don2630 provides will steer people wrongly.I too have the same problem. I shared the folder in the XP machine and still cannot access the files from the Vista machine. I have tried the map drive and the same thing happens, the antivirus isn't the problems.I can't understand this since the XP shared folders work fine and are accessible from within Vista. I created a new folder within the "Shared folder" and have the same problem on the files in that folder. I moved those files to other folders within the shared folders and the same problem of can't access continues. I can't access them from a vista machine.

I tried everything and nothing worked until I read an earlier post here. I changed the permissions on my Vista machines from "everyone" to "guest" as suggested. Now accessing files on Vista machine, workd like a charm...

ramon_ot....thanks. Worked!!!MCTS - Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread. http://mariusene.wordpress.com/

Just do the folowing: 1. Go to your xp pc. 2. Run the set up a home network wizard. 3. When you get to select a network connection method select the second option. 4. At your workgroup name you most ensure that the name you select maches the rest of your network, all pc's most share the same workgroup name. 5. On file and printing sharing select turn on. 6. Then next until you finish. Note: you do not have to run the wizard on the other computers, just click finish. When you complete these steps go to your vista pc and open your network if you see the xp pc click on it. You are done. Good luck. CR

This problem also really stumped me at first but I found the answer and it was surprisingly simple (although aloof). Here is the necessary thing that must be done in Vista when sharing a Folder (such as "Documents": - When you get to the "Choose People To Share With" option in the file sharing process, Choose the option of "Guest" and make the Guest a "Co-Owner". I made the mistake of choosing "Everyone on list" but that is the wrong choice since you must have a list for it to be applicable.

This problem also really stumped me at first but I found the answer and it was surprisingly simple (although aloof). Here is the necessary thing that must be done in Vista when sharing a Folder (such as "Documents": - When you get to the "Choose People To Share With" option in the file sharing process, Choose the option of "Guest" and make the Guest a "Co-Owner". I made the mistake of choosing "Everyone on list" but that is the wrong choice since you first must have made a list of people/users for this option to be applicable.

This problem also really stumped me at first but I found the answer and it was surprisingly simple (although aloof). Here is the necessary thing that must be done in Vista when sharing a Folder (such as "Documents": - When you get to the "Choose People To Share With" option in the file sharing process, Choose the option of "Guest" and make the Guest a "Co-Owner". (At first I made the mistake of choosing "Everyone on list" but that is the wrong choice since you first must have made a list of people/users for this option to be applicable.) Also, do not forget to ensure that you also need to change the Sharing permissions for the folder using the Properties option. To do this: 1.right-click the Folder you want to share and choose Properties and then click the Advanced Sharing button 2. Once in Advanced Sharing, Ensure to checkmark "Share this folder" 3. Then, click the "Permissions" button and choose "Full Control" in the Permissions For Everyone" option. That should do it.

This is a common problem with users adding a Vista machine onto a network with one or more XP pcs. The solution is found by making a very simple (although aloof) choice when going through the steps of sharing a folder (such as "Documents") in Vista. This important step is: -ensure that you choose the option "Guest" (not Everyone) and then once added, make sure you set the Permission Level to "Co-Owner". (Most users mistakenly choose "Everyone but that choice only applies to people or groupson a list which is another type of function and I wont cover that here.) Also, after you have gone through the steps to share a folder, do the following: 1. Right-click the folder you want to share and choose Properties 2. Choose the Sharing tab and then click the Advanced Sharing button 3. Ensure there is a checkmark in the "Share this folder" option 4. Then click the Permissions button below 5. In the Permissions for Everyone option, select the appropriate level (you will probably want to choose Full Control in order to have complete access over the network) 6. Choose OK 7. Choose OK 8. Choose Close That should do it.

I'm not sure if people who tried to answer this question actually read all the question, or even title. I have the same problem. Have a number of shared folders on my Windows XP Pro SP3 system which I cannot access on my Windows Vista Home Prem Laptop.So unable to access XP shared folders from Windows Vista.On another XP laptop I can access and my Mac mini with 10.5 OS installed it automatically recongised them and can use there, why do Macs work and Windows not?So currently I cannot access XP folders, have tried everything but keep getting the following error:Windows cannot access \\ComputerName\FolderCheck the spellinf of the name. Otherwise, there might be a problem with your network. To try to identigy and resolve network problems, click Diagnose.Error code: 0x80070005Access is denied.I have the XP folder permissions set to everyone, and the fact that another XP system Mac mini and MacBook can access the folders leads me to think it is a Vista problem (although no suprise there). Any help on this?I have Windows Live OneCare installed and setup for sharing, turned off firewall too and that didn't work.Vista you have wasted so many hours of my life and I want them back.

My situation was this, Xp on pc and vista on laptop. I figured out how to share files on the vista so the xp could access no problem. When vista tried getting files from the xp it came up with the error no access 0x80070005. took me a bit to figure that out. I could see the xp machine on the network from the vista (with no access)and when i ran (net view) from the command line the system error 5 came up. I then went to the xp machine and added the vista user. adding the user through -control panel, administrative tools, computer management, local users and groups, users- then added the vista username to the user list. i used the same password as i used to logon to my laptop with vista to make things simple. thenthe shared folders on my xp with correct permissions.I dont know if thats a fix for the rest of you, but somehow it fixed my problems with my setup. I hope it helps or puts you in the right direction. I had also turned off my my vista firewall which i though i did from the network management screen, but found the firewall settings located under -control panel, administrative tools, windows firewall. i could see more settings there.