XP - Vista File Sharing

[T. Jenkins]

I know there have been many posts on this issue, and I've tried the
troubleshooting tips on many of these, to no avail, so I'm going to explain
my specific situation in the hopes that someone can figure this out.

A few months ago, I purchased a Vista laptop. Up to that point, I'd been
using multiple XP computers on my home wireless and wired network, and have
been able to share files and printers on my main desktop without any
troubles. I still have an XP laptop, and continue to be able to access the
files and printer on my XP desktop without any problem.

The issue is that I cannot see my desktop from the Vista laptop, and have
not been able to access the files on my desktop. I also cannot see the
laptop from my desktop, but since I'm not planning to access files in that
direction (e.g., access laptop files from the desktop), I don't really care
about that problem.

As I mentioned, I've reviewed and tried to follow lots of troubleshooting
advice (example linked below). Example: both computers are using the group
name "MSHOME," file sharing is turned on on the laptop, XP patches installed,
etc. Based on what I've seen so far, it seems like my problem may be on the
XP desktop.

Can anyone suggest any additional troubleshooting steps?

Thanks,
Todd

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings,
http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is
allowed to be shared.
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx
Windows XP File Sharing -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[T. Jenkins]

One thing I've discovered is that I don't have SP3 installed, and that seems
to be key to fixing certain problems. However, I'm having problems getting
SP3 to run, and based on postings in the XP group, I'm thinking my download
may have been corrupted due to anti-virus software.

Assuming this is not an easy fix, I did see some reference to workarounds
for not having SP3. I think they had something to do with placing certain
files in certain folders. Do you know if these workarounds are reliable?

Todd

Hi
Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings,
http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is
allowed to be shared.
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx
Windows XP File Sharing -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[T. Jenkins]

Sorry, quick update. I just dug a little deeper in the workaround, and the
files it says to place in specific folders already exist, probably because I
already ran the LLTD install.

Is it possible that SP3 not being installed is my problem?

One thing I've discovered is that I don't have SP3 installed, and that seems
to be key to fixing certain problems. However, I'm having problems getting
SP3 to run, and based on postings in the XP group, I'm thinking my download
may have been corrupted due to anti-virus software.

Assuming this is not an easy fix, I did see some reference to workarounds
for not having SP3. I think they had something to do with placing certain
files in certain folders. Do you know if these workarounds are reliable?

Todd

 

[daleeh]

On the XP machine, go to run Windows Explorer. Right-click on the "C"
drive root folder. Click on "Sharing and Security". Click on the
statement "If you understand the risk..." if it's showing. Now you
can place a check mark in the box next to "Share this folder on the
network". Once you've done that, you can give it a "Share Name" if
desired. You may also place a check mark in the box next to "Allow
network users to change my files"
Once you've done this wait about 5 minutes, then restart the
computer. After the computer has completely restarted, you can search
for it on the network from any other computer by using its UNC name--
i.e. if the computers name is "XPDesktop" then you would search for \
\XPDesktop. Once you find it from another computer on the network you
should be able to access the data.

One quirk--sometimes shared resources simply will not show up in your
Network Neighborhood because of the oddities of Windows "Browse
Master" behavior. The only way to find them is to do the search for a
computer using its UNC name or its IP address. Once it is found via
the search, the share resources will show up--at least until the next
reboot. Also, I've seen a 5 or 10 minute delay in network discovery
of shared resources in a Workgroup environment, so don't be surprised
if the situation is "fluid".

Let us know how this works for you.

Dale