hey guys i have a bit of an issue with my network

I have a laptop and a Dekstop i need to connect to each other wirelessly . the router is a 2.4Gig linksys running from a motorolla S.B cable modem which goes to my desktop through a wired connection into my ethernet plug. the laptop connects wireless through my router ( unsecured at the moment).


the laptop runs vista homepremium and the desktop runs xp professonal

i tired the thign with the usb thumb drive and network setup and it dosent work ... any ideas? i need the 2 computers to be able to share data andback up files to each other

There have been some issues for Vista and XP regarding the networking. 1) make sure your vista is fully patched. 2) Here is a MS forums post relating to one user's work. You will note that there are many variables. One of which is a download for XP to allow it to see Vista PC's on the network.
Start here, and Good Luck!!
Windows Vista <--> XP home networking succesfully resolved! - TechNet Forums

You can also try disabling any firewalls that may be enabled.

Then typing \\IPAddressHere\ of the other machine into a Start > Run window.

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ok ill try that thanks!
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nope that did not work

What all have you tried, the networking wizard from XP on both? The wizard on Vista on both?
You should to be able to (not see the laptop in network neighborhood without the vista patch) still connect to the two if you do the server share thing right. To make it easier, you must do //server/share So, if you use the IP situation listed above, you need to enter it like //IP.ADDY/C$ Use the C$ because that is the hidden share for the C drive. few points. 1) you must have an account on both machines with the same name. 2) You must tell the computer how you wish to authenticate.

In XP, to tell it to work this way, you need to open the "Control Panel", then "Administrative Tools". Double Click on "Local Security Policy." Next Expand "Local Policies" and "Security Policy." Scroll down to (Right Frame) "Network Access: Sharing and Security Model for Local Accounts." Double-Click this setting, and change it to "Classic - Users authenticate as themselves"

In Vista, I'm not sure exactly where this setting can be found. I'd have to dig around, but it should be similar.

This should allow you to at least connect to the two machines using the windows explorer as listed above.

You may check the linksys router settings. I'm not sure, but you never know, maybe there is a barrier between the wireless and wired sections of the network. Possibly a 2nd layer of NAT? I think I saw that on my little brother's wireless router.

well i found the settigns on my xp machine ... but i cannot find the lsp for vista ... any ideas?

I'll check from work tomorrow on the vista machine there. I don't have vista at home

no rush .... thanks ages

To find your network information in Vista (to which I assume you are referring):
>Open the Control Panel, then Network and Sharing Center. (Be ready for the normal UAC boxes)
>Follow the Link for STATUS for the Local Area Connection.
>Next click on the Details button

You can receive your needed information (MAC, IP addresses). You can select the Properties button to change certain aspects of the network settings.

So, What is your problem currently? Still can not get the two computers to see each other?
Can not get one to connect to the other? Or that you need it to repeat the connection?

If I Remember Correctly, you have both accessing the internet.


NOTE: XP HOME does NOT, and VISTA HOME may not show the Local Security Policy applet in the control panel>Adminsitrative Tools. This is one reason to have higher level software for diagnosis, troubleshooting, and more complex settings/control.

Now, I double checked Vista, and the setting for Local Security Policy is in the same location
Control Panel >> Administrative Tools >> Local Security Policy >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> Network Access: Sharing And Security Model for Local Accounts. (Set this setting to Classic mode)

With that and the information above (and identical user accounts on both machines) you can map a network drive so that all you need to do is Access each Computer via "My Computer". (This works best if you know the name of the computer, but IP address' work, assuming you use static IP's on your network).

>To do this, open My Computer, and Select the TOOLS Menu.
>Then select MAP A NETWORK DRIVE
>Chose the Drive letter (I recommend starting at L, as multiple CD/DVD's, Hard Drives and Flash Drives quickly run the drive letter list up a bit).
>Enter the information for the computer folder. I'll use computers I had in a previous network as an example. (I had 2 computers [homesickaggie and wannabe], each used a single folder I called "Available" which I shared)
\\homesickaggie\available (This is on the computer called WannaBe) (Substitue Ip address here: \\123.234.0.1\available )
\\wannabe\available (This is on the computer HomeSickAggie)
>Make Sure Reconnect at Login is checked
>Click OK

It will now open a window with the other computer's folder "Available" showing it's contents.

You will need to make that folder viewable for Sharing I assume you can do (have done) this. Otherwise I'd change the folder path above
\\homesickaggie\c$\available (for c:\available )
As a note, if computer a is not on when you start b, you can expect to see a message stating that it could not reconnect all network drives.

Of course, I could be misunderstanding your question to begin with, in which case, please straighten me out.

I just did this same thing Very simply put after I ran the setup network thing on each comp I could not see either comp. Vista changed the workgroup name from MSHOME which was the default name on xp to WORKGROUP. Once I changed the workgroup names to match each other I could see but not gain access. Then all I had to do was change the vista firewall to accept a range of IP adresses, and do the same on my desktop firewall(Zone Alarm) and BINGO! now I got no problems.