Connecting Vista and XP

[Chandramouly]

Recently bought a Vaio laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium. I have
office laptop running on XP SP2. I'm trying to connect these two laptops but
I encounter problems in connecting the two. Read through the following
details -

I'm connecting the two laptops directly using a normal ethernet cable
(should I necessarily need to use cross over cable for a direct connection?)
I have updated the XP laptop with LLTD protocol as suggested elsewhere in
this discussion forum.
I'm using the same Workgroup name at both machines.
In Vista, I have -
Network Discovery: ON
Network type set to Private
Media sharing:ON
File Sharing: ON
Public Folder Sharing: ON
Password Protected: OFF

I have created same user ID and pwd at both the machines ( but not logged in
either).
The XP computer shows up in my Vista network map but is not available for
double click etc. The XP doesnt even show the Vista (when I double click the
workgroup in my network places, it gives access permission error). The public
folder in Vista is shared to 'everyone';
I use windows firewall at both machine and no additional firewall
application has been installed. I haven't tried connecting the two turning
off the firewall.

Not sure where I'm going wrong? is it the network cable itself? if not the
cross over cable should I necessarily connect through a router?

I haven't tried the wireless networking option.

Suggestion and advice would be much appreciated

 

[Mick Murphy]

If you are just trying to hook the 2 together, definitely crossover cable,
not patch!!

And, run the XP's File and Printer home Network sharing wizard, so it will
share files with vista.

I have not turned my firewalls off.

I see that you have done what I have written below, but read the password bit

A router is a great way to go, but you still need all of these settings to
be done!!!

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx

Have a read of the above link re Vista File and Printer Sharing.
How to give Permissions are there, too.

1st thing to do is make sure that the Workgroup Name of ALL the computers is
the SAME.

In Vista Network and Sharing:

Network Discovery: ON (So it can see the other computers)

Network set to Private (Public is for hotspots, airports, etc)

File Sharing: ON

Public Folder Sharing: ON (Vista’s Public Folder is the same as XP’s Shared
Docs)

Password Protected: OFF (unless you want to set up identical usernames and
passwords on ALL computers in your Network) If you have it ON, you will be
asked for a username and password when you try to access a Vista computer
from an XP computer.

Also, run the XP’s Home Network File and Printer sharing Wizard.

 

[Chandra]

Thanks Mick.

I'm trying the wireless connection between the vista and XP.

I did go through the vista sharing section and did as per instruction. My
public folder in vista is shared to everyone and also specifically shared
another folder directly to 'everyone'. However I was not able to share the
folder exclusively to the common user account (dont know why).

I did the sharing of folders in XP as well but still no improvements. I see
the XP in the network map (wireless) in vista but remains unclickable. I'm
not able to see vista in XP. When I go to the network places in XP, the
workgroup gets listed but on double click, it says something about access
permission. Also I' not able to ping either of the computer from each other.

Should I switch off the firewall and try? but is that the issue? because
since i'm not even able to ping the two machines, I doubt if firewall would
be an issue.

Is there any step i'm missing or doing incorrectly?

Also "run the XP’s Home Network File and Printer sharing Wizard", how do i
do this? is this the network setup wizard? I presume this wizard is only for
wired connection.

 

[Chuck [MVP]]

Thanks Mick.

I'm trying the wireless connection between the vista and XP.

I did go through the vista sharing section and did as per instruction. My
public folder in vista is shared to everyone and also specifically shared
another folder directly to 'everyone'. However I was not able to share the
folder exclusively to the common user account (dont know why).

I did the sharing of folders in XP as well but still no improvements. I see
the XP in the network map (wireless) in vista but remains unclickable. I'm
not able to see vista in XP. When I go to the network places in XP, the
workgroup gets listed but on double click, it says something about access
permission. Also I' not able to ping either of the computer from each other.

Should I switch off the firewall and try? but is that the issue? because
since i'm not even able to ping the two machines, I doubt if firewall would
be an issue.

Is there any step i'm missing or doing incorrectly?

Also "run the XP’s Home Network File and Printer sharing Wizard", how do i
do this? is this the network setup wizard? I presume this wizard is only for
wired connection.

Chandra,

The Windows XP Network Setup Wizard sets up file and printer sharing on a given
computer. It's used for both Ethernet and WiFi connectivity.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html

You will possibly need a cross-over Ethernet cable to connect between the 2
computers, though much modern equipment has eliminated this.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html

Switching off the firewall on each is a good start, for diagnostics. If you
were going to make a long term connection, you would want to configure the
firewall properly. But start with the firewall, then look for other security
programs, if necessary.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.

 

[Chandra]

Thanks Chuck for the links.

Ok, I dont want to go the crossover cable route as I need to connect the two
computers only once, just to transfer files. I only need to transfer files
from the XP to Vista. So I will keep the crossover cable as last option. I
want to see if I can connect the two wirelessly. Is that an option?
Connecting the XP and Vista wirelessly and transfer files. All the materials
I went through talk about connecting the second computer wirelessly for
Internet connection sharing. I dont want that. Internet connection is not an
issue. I just want to transfer files from my old XP to my vista. My internet
connection is thru a DSL and I have a wireless router/gateway. Both the
laptops are equipped with wireless adapters. XP doesnt have a bluetooth
adapter.

With these background, what are the options available to me?

I did a wired connection of my vista and setup a wireless connection to
which I was able to connect my XP wirelessly. After this I was able to
connect to the internet wirelessly from XP. This I guess is sharing the
internet connection all the article talk about. With this setup will I be
able to transfer or share files between the two? I was not able to. But not
sure if I did the setup correctly for this kind of sharing. Before that I
want to know if this is a right way to go. If not, I can try the crossover
cable option or simply buy a USB external hard drive.

Thanks Mick.

I'm trying the wireless connection between the vista and XP.

I did go through the vista sharing section and did as per instruction. My
public folder in vista is shared to everyone and also specifically shared
another folder directly to 'everyone'. However I was not able to share the
folder exclusively to the common user account (dont know why).

I did the sharing of folders in XP as well but still no improvements. I see
the XP in the network map (wireless) in vista but remains unclickable. I'm
not able to see vista in XP. When I go to the network places in XP, the
workgroup gets listed but on double click, it says something about access
permission. Also I' not able to ping either of the computer from each other.

Should I switch off the firewall and try? but is that the issue? because
since i'm not even able to ping the two machines, I doubt if firewall would
be an issue.

Is there any step i'm missing or doing incorrectly?

Also "run the XP’s Home Network File and Printer sharing Wizard", how do i
do this? is this the network setup wizard? I presume this wizard is only for
wired connection.

Chandra,

The Windows XP Network Setup Wizard sets up file and printer sharing on a given
computer. It's used for both Ethernet and WiFi connectivity.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html

You will possibly need a cross-over Ethernet cable to connect between the 2
computers, though much modern equipment has eliminated this.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html

Switching off the firewall on each is a good start, for diagnostics. If you
were going to make a long term connection, you would want to configure the
firewall properly. But start with the firewall, then look for other security
programs, if necessary.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.

 

[Chuck [MVP]]

Thanks Chuck for the links.

Ok, I dont want to go the crossover cable route as I need to connect the two
computers only once, just to transfer files. I only need to transfer files
from the XP to Vista. So I will keep the crossover cable as last option. I
want to see if I can connect the two wirelessly. Is that an option?
Connecting the XP and Vista wirelessly and transfer files. All the materials
I went through talk about connecting the second computer wirelessly for
Internet connection sharing. I dont want that. Internet connection is not an
issue. I just want to transfer files from my old XP to my vista. My internet
connection is thru a DSL and I have a wireless router/gateway. Both the
laptops are equipped with wireless adapters. XP doesnt have a bluetooth
adapter.

With these background, what are the options available to me?

I did a wired connection of my vista and setup a wireless connection to
which I was able to connect my XP wirelessly. After this I was able to
connect to the internet wirelessly from XP. This I guess is sharing the
internet connection all the article talk about. With this setup will I be
able to transfer or share files between the two? I was not able to. But not
sure if I did the setup correctly for this kind of sharing. Before that I
want to know if this is a right way to go. If not, I can try the crossover
cable option or simply buy a USB external hard drive.

Chandra,

If you have both computers connected to the Internet, behind a router, then you
have connectivity already. Just setup sharing from there. With Windows XP,
just run the Network Setup Wizard, and select
"This computer connects to the Internet through another computer on my network
or through a residential gateway."
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html#NATClient>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html#NATClient

With Windows Vista, use Network and indicate a Private network connection.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/12/windows-xp-and-vista-on-lan-together.html#VistaServer>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/12/windows-xp-and-vista-on-lan-together.html#VistaServer

Then setup sharing permissions.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html

What's the volume of the files? You could, alternatively, use a USB flash
drive, if the volume is low enough.

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.