networking between vista and xp pro

[Aaron]

I am trying to figure out how to set up a network between vista & xp pro, Ive
figured out how to set up file sharing, but I want the 2 computers to be on a
network also so that I can add users of one computer to have certain
permissions to folders on the other computer. for example when you right
click a folder and go to the security settings, and click the add button
under Groups and user names, and click the locations button I want to be able
to choose the second computer as a location. Right now I have one user
account on each computer with the same user name and password, the computers
are also on the same workgroup. The computer running vista is a laptop with a
wireless connection to the router and the xp is a desktop that is wired to
the router.

 

[Malke]

I am trying to figure out how to set up a network between vista & xp pro, Ive
figured out how to set up file sharing, but I want the 2 computers to be on a
network also so that I can add users of one computer to have certain
permissions to folders on the other computer. for example when you right
click a folder and go to the security settings, and click the add button
under Groups and user names, and click the locations button I want to be able
to choose the second computer as a location. Right now I have one user
account on each computer with the same user name and password, the computers
are also on the same workgroup. The computer running vista is a laptop with a
wireless connection to the router and the xp is a desktop that is wired to
the router.

So what's the problem? Make new users and groups and set your
permissions. In XP Pro, disable Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View
tab) and you'll get the Security tab (assuming the drive is formatted
NTFS). You didn't say what version of Vista you have so I can't address
that. I don't know if Vista Home/Basic editions allow the fine-grained
permissions or not (XP Home didn't).

If you're successfully sharing files, you've already got your network
set up. You don't need to set up another one just to add users.


Malke

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

Some of your requirements sound like roaming profiles which is not a feature
of Windows client operating systems. If you want to network both computers,
make sure the following are setup:

In Windows Vista make sure Network Discovery is enabled under Network and
Sharing Center
Both machines have static IP Address
Both are in the same workgroup
You firewall is not blocking network discovery

 

[Aaron]

i have vista home premium,
simple file sharing is disabled in xp
network discovery is on in vista

I dont get any options for adding users of compurer 1 on computer 2
xp shows the vista computer as being internet and not local network

 

[Malke]

i have vista home premium,
simple file sharing is disabled in xp
network discovery is on in vista

I dont get any options for adding users of compurer 1 on computer 2
xp shows the vista computer as being internet and not local network

These are two separate problems and you haven't given us enough
information to help you solve either one of them. You aren't clearly
describing what you're doing. I'll give you links to help you make a
newsgroup post and I'll give you networking information, but it may be
more practical for you to have a computer professional come on-site and
set you up correctly. I say this not to offend you in any way but simply
because it may be the easiest solution for you.

If you want to try and get help from the newsgroup, please don't feel
turned away. But do go to these links to see what you need to include in
your next post so we can help you:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Usenet
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 - How to Ask a Question

To add users to a computer, go to Control Panel>User Accounts and add
users, then assign passwords. This is done in Vista the same way it was
done in XP. For networking, see the rather detailed steps below.

*****

Here are general network troubleshooting steps. Not everything may be
applicable to your situation, so just take the bits that are. It may
look daunting, but if you follow the steps at the links and suggestions
below systematically and calmly, you will have no difficulty in setting
up your sharing.

Excellent, thorough, yet easy to understand article about File/Printer
Sharing in Vista. Includes details about sharing printers as well as
files and folders:

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

For XP, start by running the Network Setup Wizard on all machines (see
caveat in Item A below).

Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally
caused by 1) a misconfigured firewall; or 2) inadvertently running two
firewalls such as the built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party
firewall; and/or 3) not having identical user accounts and passwords on
all Workgroup machines; 4) trying to create shares where the operating
system does not permit it.

For XP and Windows 2003 Server, MVP Hans-Georg Michna has an excellent
small network troubleshooter. It may also be useful with Vista.

http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Here are some general networking tips for home/small networks:

A. Configure firewalls on all machines to allow the Local Area Network
(LAN) traffic as trusted. With Windows Firewall, this means allowing
File/Printer Sharing on the Exceptions tab. Normally running the Network
Setup Wizard on XP will take care of this for those machines.The only
"gotcha" is that this will turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you
aren't running a third-party firewall or have an antivirus with
"Internet Worm Protection" (like Norton 2006/07) which acts as a
firewall, then you're fine. With third-party firewalls, I usually
configure the LAN allowance with an IP range. Ex. would be
192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would substitute your correct
subnet. Do not run more than one firewall.

B. For ease or organization, put all computers in the same Workgroup.
This is done from the System applet in Control Panel, Computer Name tab.

C. Create matching user accounts and passwords on all machines. You do
not need to be logged into the same account on all machines and the
passwords assigned to each user account can be different; the
accounts/passwords just need to exist and match on all machines. If you
wish a machine to boot directly to the Desktop (into one particular
user's account) for convenience, you can do this. The instructions at
this link work for both XP and Vista:

Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) -
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm

D. If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center:

1. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

2. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
Simple File Sharing enabled. Simple File Sharing means that Guest
(network) is enabled. This means that anyone without a user account on
the target system can use its resources. This is a security hole but
only you can decide if it matters in your situation.

E. Create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
Shared Documents folder. See the first link above for details about
Vista sharing.

F. After you have file sharing working (and have tested this by
exchanging a file between all machines), if you want to share a printer
connected locally to one of your computers, share it out from that
machine. Then go to the printer mftr.'s website and download the latest
drivers for the correct operating system(s). Install them on the target
machine(s). The printer should be seen during the installation routine.
If it is not, install the drivers and then use the Add Printer Wizard.
*****

Malke

 

[Aaron]

I'm not sure how I can be more specific on what I am trying to do.
What is there to not understand that I want to add a user of one computer to
the other. When I go to sharing and security in either vista or xp and click
add user and then click locations I only get the location of the computer I
am currently accessing this menu. I want to be able to log in to the network
rather than just the computer.

 

[Malke]

I'm not sure how I can be more specific on what I am trying to do.
What is there to not understand that I want to add a user of one computer to
the other. When I go to sharing and security in either vista or xp and click
add user and then click locations I only get the location of the computer I
am currently accessing this menu. I want to be able to log in to the network
rather than just the computer.

Sorry, but this doesn't make sense. You don't add users that way. You
add users to each computer so that both computers have the same user
accounts and passwords on them. You do this from the User Accounts
applet in Control Panel. You can't add users to Sharing/Security
(presumably to set permissions/restrictions) until the user accounts
first exist on the machine.


Malke

 

[Aaron]

I do have the same user name and password on both computers.

I just basically want to be able to login like its a real network, i'm not
sure how the login would appear in vista but in xp u have a network login
screen where u have 2 press ctrl-alt-del to login and to have full access to
shared folders through the admin. account but limit access to others. (not
having to enable full control to Everyone in the permissions)

 

[Malke]

I do have the same user name and password on both computers.

I just basically want to be able to login like its a real network, i'm not
sure how the login would appear in vista but in xp u have a network login
screen where u have 2 press ctrl-alt-del to login and to have full access to
shared folders through the admin. account but limit access to others. (not
having to enable full control to Everyone in the permissions)

You're really having a hard time explaining this, aren't you? What does
"login like its [sic] a real network" *mean*? It *is* a real network!
Are you talking about wanting to set up a domain? You need a server
operating system. Are you talking about wanting to have users login with
something vaguely resembling the Win2k/XP/2003 classic logon box (which
has nothing to do with networking)?

You can set fine-grained permissions and restrictions on non-domain
computers by using the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) on each local
machine with XP Pro, Vista Business, Vista Enterprise, and Vista
Ultimate. You don't have gpedit available on Vista Basic, Vista Home
Premium, and XP Home.

I'm really sorry that I'm not understanding what you want to do. Maybe
someone else will be more intuitive about it and can read more into your
posts than I can. Good luck, and good night.


Malke

 

[PhilBiker]

I'm not sure how I can be more specific on what I am trying to do.
What is there to not understand that I want to add a user of one computer to
the other. When I go to sharing and security in either vista or xp and click
add user and then click locations I only get the location of the computer I
am currently accessing this menu. I want to be able to log in to the network
rather than just the computer.

If I understand you correctly I believe you may be asking too much from the
simple Windows networking available in the Windows OSes. Sorry if this
doesn't help.

I have networking set up on my home network, and it works great between my
three computers running Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, and XP
Professional. But I'm not doing what you're doing.

 

[PhilBiker]

You can set fine-grained permissions and restrictions on non-domain
computers by using the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) on each local
machine with XP Pro, Vista Business, Vista Enterprise, and Vista
Ultimate. You don't have gpedit available on Vista Basic, Vista Home
Premium, and XP Home.

I believe this is the answer for the OP.

 

[Aaron]

What I want to do is login to a network not a computer, via ctrl-alt-del to
login like a REAL network that you would find in a business or school.

And I do not want to allow "EVERYONE" access to shared files/folders. Just
for my user name.
I dont get why nobody can understand what I am wanting, obviously this isnt
an american or english speaking website

Maybe I should just talk to HP to see about an upgrade back to xp, I am
realy getting tired of not getting any results out of vista, yes I do mean
UP-GRADE!!
Or maybe leave microsoft all together.. Linux is starting to sound better
and better every time I read a reply. I cant believe that microsoft would
actually charge people to use such a crapy OS they should be paying me.

No further replies needed unless someone has a real answer

 

[Robert Martin]

So I take you have a Dedicated server like a REAL network?
I have a network with Vista, XP, OS X, Ubuntu and I give
access to certain things to everyone, something's to others,
it's all a matter of setting up permissions correctly.
You just have to know how to do it.