XP can't see Vista

  • Thread starter Thread starter Newtechie
  • Start date Start date
N

Newtechie

My wireless laptop running XP Home can't see my Vista machine (RC2 v5744)
but Vista can see and access the files on the XP laptop. I have tried
disabling the firewalls on both and setting full permissions and nothing is
working. Can someone please help me?

Thanks,
newtechie
 
Hi -

Yes I did install that update and I still can't see the Vista machine. Any
other suggestions?
 
Hi Newtechie :-)

I have a laptop that is set up for wireless and I am able to see all the
machines in the private network. Do you have the network set to the same on
all the machines in the network? Is the workgroup set the same on each? They
must all be set to the same workgroup to be able to see each other. When
you click on View workgroup computers, can you see all the machines there?
If not, then you might check the ones that are not showing and see if they
are set to the same workgroup. I would suggest that, if you haven't already,
you give the workgroup a unique name and use that on each of the machines in
the network so that you can easily tell if they are all set properly.

Here are some step-by-step instructions for setting up a network courtesy of
KoZe which might probide some help and/or food for troubleshooting:

My steps for setting up a home network with XP and Vista machines on the
same network.

1. Open Firewall and in exceptions tab select
a. “Core networking”
b. “File and printer sharing”
c. “Network Discovery”
d. “Windows Peer to peer Collaboration” (not needed but does no harm, is
needed for access pre XP OS’es)

This step (no 1) shouldn’t be needed if all goes well from the settings
below, use these only if you keep having problems!

Open the Network and Sharing Center and do the following points

2. set the network category to “Private network” (Home in build 5728)

3. set in Network and sharing Center the options (See picture below!)
a. Network discovery to “On“
b. File Sharing to “On”
c. Public folder sharing to “On” the middle selection so Everyone with
Access can Open, change and create files.
d. Password protection to “On” if used with password (advised!) or “Of” if
not wanted
e. Media sharing to “On” if needed

Click on “Apply” button at bottom of each section before closing!!

4. For sharing folders or drive go to “Computer
a. If sharing the drive right click the drive and select “Share…”
b. Select the Advanced Sharing button (allow this if needed)
c. Select share this folder (at the top!)
d. Give a new name for the share (a name to be clear to yourself what this
is) for example pictures (if a folder) or dataXX if a drive
e. Beneath select the button permissions, select the full control for
everyone
f. Click apply (and OK) again on the next screen (both) and Close the last
screen to close
g. Reboot the PC if needed (just to be sure, normally not needed!)

If you want to share a folder it’s all the same, but you have to go to the
folder first and then execute step 4 on the folder.

If all has gone as expected you now have access from all your other machines
on the same network to those shares.

At least I have. See picture below (from XP 32)

Note:I only have wired connections, so not tested with wireless.
Hope this helps.

Jan :)
MS MVP - Windows IE
 
Hi Jan,

Thanks for responding.

The network is set to private on the Vista machine. I changed the name from
"network" to MSHOME as it is on the XP laptop. I'm baffled to why the Vista
can see the XP machine but not vice versa. Everything is set to the way per
your steps you've suggested. Also, I didn't see a picture attached.

newtechie
 
Hi Newtechie :-)
Hi Jan,

Thanks for responding.

The network is set to private on the Vista machine. I changed the name
from "network" to MSHOME as it is on the XP laptop. I'm baffled to why
the Vista can see the XP machine but not vice versa. Everything is set to
the way per your steps you've suggested. Also, I didn't see a picture
attached.
Click to expand...

Sorry, this is a non-binary group so no attachments are allowed. I forgot
to remove that reference before posting.

Are you using a router? Have you checked the settings? I had this problem
with one of my desktops which had XP, and while all the other machines could
see it, the one could not see the other machines. How are you setting up
the network on that machine? With the Wizard? If so, which of the methods
are you selecting in the "Do you want to use the shared connection" window?
Have you tried creating a disk and copying the network setup to the one
machine from one of the others that it works on?

Also, check the connection to the router if you are using one, as that may
be keeping it from seeing the others. Be sure that it is set to the right
network setting the TCP/IP4, and that the

In the Network and Sharing Center:

Turn on Network Discovery, File Sharing, and Public Folder Sharing
If you don't want to use a password, disable password protected sharing.

Do you have ZoneAlarm, OneCare, or some other Firewall product that may be
blocking. Are you using the Public folder from your XP machines?

Jan :)
MS MVP - Windows IE
 
Hi Jan -

Yes I am using a wireless router. However, I do not think that would be a
problem of me not seeing the Vista machine when I can see the XP laptop from
within Vista. I don't think there's a network wizard in Vista so I'd have
to say no. I did use the wizard on the XP laptop. I even went as far as
renaming the network to a different name and still no joy. I have not tried
creating a disk and copying the network setup. How can I do this if Vista
doesn't have a wizard?

I've disabled and uninstalled all firewalls in both systems so that should
not come into play with further troubleshooting.

I didn't understand your last question "Are you using the Public folder from
your XP machines"? There's only 2 PCs involved: 1 desktop(Vista) and 1
laptop(XP home).

Thanks,
newtechie
 
Jan,

You may add, if no password is used, the guest account must be enabled or
else it doesn't work.
Ko.
 
Newtechie,

You have the public folder set to be shared with a password required. If you
have that option set Vista is blocking all access from machines with no
password.

Either you try with the guest account enabled on both machines and no public
folder shared with password required.
Further did you go to the advanced sharing options and set the access to the
user (or everyone) with full access?

If you didn't set this by using advanced sharing you have no access at all.

Ko.
 
Hi Koze,

Thanks for your reply. I disabled password protect sharing and now the XP
machine says that the network is not accessible. That was the only changed
I made. I think you mentioned enabling the guest accounts on both machines
but I don't know how to do that. I'm at work right now so I'll have to look
at it again when I get home tonight.

Newtechie
 
Hi Jan,

My network was working but now it's not. I've enabled the guest accounts on
both machines. Now when I try to connect to the XP machine from Vista, it
prompts me for a password. I have password protection turned off so do you
know why I'm getting this prompt?

Thanks,
newtechie
 
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