Vista/XP Network Issues + "Microsoft Publication Service Device Ho

[Mr. Kazoo]

I cannot connect to my Ethernet network of XP computers, but I can connect to
the Internet. When I open up my network, it shows several "media devices" and
this "Microsoft Publication Service Device Host." When I click on it, it
takes me to the Microsoft.com homepage. I have been able to connect to my
network previously.

I am running Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, and the other two computers
are running XP Professional. One XP computer cannot connect to the network at
all and has limited Internet access, however we are planning to replace it
soon. all the XP computers and my Vista computer are on the WORKGROUP
workgroup.
My network settings now are:
Network discovery: On
File Sharing: Custom
Public folder sharing: On
Printer Sharing: On
Password protected sharing: Off
Media Sharing: On

We all share a connection through a combination router/modem.

If you have any suggestions PLEASE help.

 

[Mick Murphy]

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

Have a read of the above link re Vista File and Printer Sharing.

Permissions/Share info is there as well.

If using Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro I.S., make sure file and printer
sharing is enabled in THEIR firewall.

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 to include
Vista in your “New†Network, even if you had an XP Network set up prior to
adding a Vista computer to it.

 

[Mr. Kazoo]

well, the one XP computer can now see mine, but I still can't see anybody

And I'm still plagued by the "Microsoft Publication Service Device Host."
Could whatever's causing that have anything to do with my problems?