How do I network my Vista and XP computers to share everything?

Question

I have been trying to set up my home network all day. I have done a ton of reading and how to sites. I can not get my 2 computer to see each other. My main computer is Vista Home Premium and I want to connect and share everything with my XP Home machine. Here is what I know about my current setup. 


I have satellite so my dish connects to my modem then to a hub. So one cable connects to the hub with the signal and then both computers connect to the hub for internet access. That all works perfectly. Now, what I want to do is to be able to see and share all files, folders, and such with both machines. So I know I have to set up a home network. That is where I am having trouble. How do I get the 2 computer to see each other? I have tried to do the set up of a home network and I have not been sucessful. I am lost totally. Both computer are protected with Bitdefender Total Security 2008. I would like to find someone who will work with me one-on-one by IM or email to get my home network set

Drew · Accepted Answer

Ok,
Today I tried to network my VISTA laptop with my XP workgroup (4 computers total)
After I lost the rest of my hair I never had, I got it, all by keeping it simple. My Vista could map to XP, but not XP to Vista.

First the BASICS:

1. Same workgroup, add TRUSTS to your FIREWALL (this will get people every time), I suggest not using the windows firewall or Norton ANYTHING (that is another blog altogether) I use Zone Alarm.

2. ON your VISTA computer Turn ON: 
   a) Network Discovery
   b) File Sharing
   c) Public folder Sharing (My preference was "Turn on sharing so any one with network access can open, change, and create files”)
 
3. Make sure “Password Protected sharing" is OFF

Now I have heard about people needing the patch for XP so Vista can see them in its pretty map, I didn’t need that, but I always do my updates, so I might have it.

OK now make sure you can ping both ways, if you cannot check your firewall settings and WORKGROUP. Once you can ping continue. (Make sure your router IP is included in your trusted zone)

Open up C Drive> Users> Public (This is your default share folder)
Go to properties
Under ADVANCED SHARING make sure the "limit the number of simultaneous users to:"
is set to more than 1, because your login is already taken this one up!!!
You can also get to this by Control Panel> Admin tools> Computer Management>Expand "Shared Folders"> and in the right column right click "Public" and go to Properties> this will allow you to change the "allow this number of users" to more than 1 
[COLOR="Red"]Maximum allowed is only set to 1 by default (this is from what I have been told)[/COLOR]

Check your sharing and security just for argument sake and make sure EVERYONE HAS FULL PERMISSIONS. 

My problem was that I could see the VISTA laptop when trying to map a drive under my XP computer, but nothing would show up when I tried to expand it.

The fix:
I just typed in the network path for the computer instead of browsing
Example:
&#92;&#92;myVISTAPAIN&#92;Shared Pain
The first time it asked me for a password, which was the user/pass for my Vista computer and after that it was cake.
I went to the second XP machine (laptop) and mapped it with no problem!

Sorry it took so long to explain, but I hope you have fun mapping with your Vista/XP workgroup.

Thanks,
Drew
Network Technician,
Norfolk, VA

mcfadden · Answer

you will in all probability might desire to log in to Vista as administrator to establish shares. then you definately'll in all probability might desire to apply explorer, with the ip handle of the different pc interior the handle bar, to get right of entry to the share.

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How do I network my Vista and XP computers to share everything?

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