Vista / XP workgroup networking

[Larry]

My home network has several XP Pro SP3 computers that are networked with a
common workgroup. My Vista computer is a member of WORKGROUP but isn't
networking with WORKGROUP properly, although it connects properly over WiFi
to the internet.

First, in Explorer, there is a entry named Network (not My Network Places,
etc.) that shows only this computer and no entry for WORKGROUP or for the
other computers. Also, WORKGROUP is present but is empty (except for this
computer) in View Computers and Devices.

However, Full Map View shows the other computers and they can be opened with
\\computername and seen on Net View IP. So, how do I make those computers
show up in explorer or View Computers or in some other accessible place?

Also, the Vista computer is not visible from the other computers. If
searched for with \\computername, a error message says "computername is not
accessible. You might not have permission ..." Net View IP reports "System
Error 5. Access is denied."

All computers are using the WORKGROUP name. Same results with all firewalls
disabled. Files are being shared. Private Network, Network discovery On,
File sharing On Public Folder sharing On, Password protected sharing off,
Media Sharing On, WINS NetBios setting Default. The XP computers are running
Link-Layer and NW Link NetBios.

Thanks for your assistance.
Larry

 

[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 .(LAN allowed)

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 (they can be different) 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, or a Vista Computer.

Also, If you haven’t done so already, run XP’s Network Setup Wizard (in
Start >All Programs >Accessories >Communications), and tell the Wizard to
enable File and Printer Sharing.
Or > Start > Control Panel > Network Connections > Set up a Home or Small
Office Network

 

[Larry]

Thanks for the quick reply. However, you don't seem to have taken into
account my detailed discussion of many of the stock items in your response.
For example: No firewall in use; workgoup name the same; various items on and
off. In addition, I have indeed read the technet reference and of course
file sharing is on. Would the rest of the network work otherwise? In any
case I just re-did that.

So, no offense, but a reply that actually addresses my situation would be
more helpful. Any responses that address my situation would be appreciated.

Larry

 

[Malke]

My home network has several XP Pro SP3 computers that are networked with a
common workgroup. My Vista computer is a member of WORKGROUP but isn't
networking with WORKGROUP properly, although it connects properly over
WiFi to the internet.

First, in Explorer, there is a entry named Network (not My Network Places,
etc.) that shows only this computer and no entry for WORKGROUP or for the
other computers. Also, WORKGROUP is present but is empty (except for this
computer) in View Computers and Devices.

However, Full Map View shows the other computers and they can be opened
with
\\computername and seen on Net View IP. So, how do I make those computers
show up in explorer or View Computers or in some other accessible place?

Also, the Vista computer is not visible from the other computers. If
searched for with \\computername, a error message says "computername is
not
accessible. You might not have permission ..." Net View IP reports
"System
Error 5. Access is denied."

All computers are using the WORKGROUP name. Same results with all
firewalls
disabled. Files are being shared. Private Network, Network discovery On,
File sharing On Public Folder sharing On, Password protected sharing off,
Media Sharing On, WINS NetBios setting Default. The XP computers are
running Link-Layer and NW Link NetBios.

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

DO NOT NEGLECT TO CREATE PASSWORDS, EVEN IF THE PASSWORD IS A SIMPLE ONE.

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center, turn off Simple
File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab)

Malke

 

[Mick Murphy]

I did address it, if you had bothered to read it all.
Did you run XP's Network Wizard?
And passwords were mentioned.

No-one gets paid to help you here; so if you can't be bothered reading it
all; STIFF!

 

[Larry]

Thank you for the suggestions. I made sure that at least one user name and
password combo is in effect on at least two computers, and that didn't help.
Is that enough, or does everything have to be identical on every computer?
Also, Folder Options, View, Simple File Sharing is indeed off.

More advice would be welcome. Thanks.
Larry

 

[Malke]

Thank you for the suggestions. I made sure that at least one user name
and password combo is in effect on at least two computers, and that didn't
help. Is that enough, or does everything have to be identical on every
computer? Also, Folder Options, View, Simple File Sharing is indeed off.

In your first post you wrote:

"Private Network, Network discovery On,
File sharing On Public Folder sharing On, Password protected sharing off,
Media Sharing On, WINS NetBios setting Default.  The XP computers are
running Link-Layer and NW Link NetBios."

1. How many computers are we talking about here? More than 5? You wrote that
you created "at least one username and password... on at least two
computers. Is there a reason you're skimping? No, you don't need to have
every single username and password included, just the ones who will be
sharing resources. If you're only talking about 4 computers and 3 user
accounts per box, why not just create them all and be done with it?
Especially since you apparently are having such difficulties.

2. Turn Password Protected Sharing On.

3. Did you turn off Simple File Sharing on the XP Pro boxen? If not, do so.

4. You said "all firewalls disabled". Which firewalls are installed? If you
have Norton/McAfee/ZoneAlarm, uninstall them using the companies'
respective uninstallation instructions/tools. Do not simply disable them.
If this solves your issue, don't install them again. The built-in Windows
Firewall on XP & Vista is adequate for most people. If you want better
protection for the network, consider a network appliance or an extra box
running something like UntangleIT.

Perhaps you're leaving something out, like you're trying to run 15 machines
and contact one pseudo-server. All I can tell you is that I've got six
different machines running different operating systems (XP Pro/Home, Linux,
OS X) and the Vista machine can see and connect to all of them. I never
installed "Link-Layer and NW Link NetBios" stuff for this either. So unless
there's some other factor omitted, I'm sorry but I don't know why you're
having such difficulties.

Malke

 

[Ian]

So I've had the exact same problem with my laptop running vista and my
roommate's xp desktop. I may not be able to give the most technical of all
answers but we were able to overcome it when we both changed our workgroup to
a new one. I was pretty surprised this fixed it.
Give it a shot, good luck.

 

[Larry]

Great suggestion! It had occurred to me that the workgroup name should be
renewed, but now I see that it only works if your change the workgroup name
(and then change back, if desired).

So, I have made progress! Now all my computers, XP and Vista, can find each
other with \\computername, and can even map each other's directories.
However, they still don't show each other (Vista vs. XP) in Network or My
Network Places or Vista Show Computers in workgroup without the explict
\\computername search (although of course several XP computers manage to do
this). I take it you are doing better than this?

Thanks for all tips and suggestions.

Larry