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Anyone here have experience setting up file/printer sharing between a Vista computer and an XP computer?

Money Mike - 2007-08-21 22:46:03 - Computer Networking

I have a Vista laptop and an XP computer, and I can't seem to get printer sharing working. The PC has a router connected to it, and the laptop has a built-in wireless card. I go through the wizard on the PC but it can't seem to find the laptop

Best Answer:

I have Four PC's on my network - Windows 98SE, (2) XP PRO and Vista - and they all see each other and I can share files. One thing about file and print sharing with XP and Vista - even if it is setup there tends to be a problem with the user. If you have password for the user it will work. If there is no password for the user XP will use he Guest Account for security. Run the Network setup Wizard and make sure the Guest account is on. Make sure the WORKGROUP name on each computer is the SAME. Make sure the Computer Name on each computer is Different.

Answers:

I have Four PC's on my network - Windows 98SE, (2) XP PRO and Vista - and they all see each other and I can share files. One thing about file and print sharing with XP and Vista - even if it is setup there tends to be a problem with the user. If you have password for the user it will work. If there is no password for the user XP will use he Guest Account for security. Run the Network setup Wizard and make sure the Guest account is on. Make sure the WORKGROUP name on each computer is the SAME. Make sure the Computer Name on each computer is Different.

You will need an update for XP for Vista to find it on the network. I have posted a link to the Microsoft website where the file can be found. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=4F01A31D-EE46-481E-BA11-37F485FA34EAdisplaylang=en#QuickInfoContainer

Its a problem of Group Policies generally.. A workaround is to use a password on the User account that is being used in Vista.. Then when you try to access the Vista laptop it should ask you for the User account name password and should then show you the shares on the laptop...