Networking a Win 7 and an XP machine

Hi mitchelle 65,

Make sure that you have an identical UserName and Password on XP and 7 computers.

Compare the ipconfig /all make sure that they are on the same Subnet, and keep on eye on the 'Peer to Peer' Node Type, then you won't be able to network the 2 or do files/printer sharing. It's fixable using a registry edit.

If you have any Security/Firewall Software running on both computers - Norton, McAfee, Zone Alarm or similar, pls. disable it for now.

If you are using the built-in Firewall, make sure to exclude Files and Printer sharing from the Windows Firewall exclusion Tab.

Do some test also, make sure that you're able to ping each others IP Address (info. can be found from ipconfig /all)

When you share a drive or folder, give a Full permission for now and see if you can access each other's shared drive or folder.

Try accessing each other's file or folder by typing these:
Click on Start=> on search box type \\computername\shareddrivename or sharedfoldername press enter. The computername can also be replace by an IP Address of the computer that you're trying to access.

Hope this helps.

If you just want to share your printer and you have a network printer, either wired or wireless, it's a much simpler approach. All you need to do is get a straight/patch Cat5e or Cat6 cable, plug it in to your router's LAN port. Then install the CD software/driver of your printer to any of your computers then it will detect the Printer's IP Address and you'll be able to print. Of course, proper printer driver is needed for the right O/S, the most recent one can be obtain/download from the manufacturer's site.

Other than that, if it supports parallel or USB cable only then yes, you'll have to go through all the network configuration that I have given in my initial Post. I know....it's such a hassle.

mitchell65 said:

I have managed to avoid networking till now but I now find it desirable. I have followed a tutorial on the subject only to get almost to the end to find that this will only connect to another PC running Win 7. I need to connect to an XP machine. Have searched for a tutorial on this to no avail. There are plenty of tuts to help edit the setting once I set it up but not the actual setting up. Any help much appreciate. I think I am having a "Funny turn" Everyone says it is so easy!!!!

It is easy.

How to make Windows 7 work with older Windows versions for networking and file sharing.

Sharing files and printers with different versions of Windows - Help & How-to - Microsoft Windows

Networking home computers running different versions of Windows

Download the free version of Cisco's Network Magic. It's a fairly simple and straightforward program and can make setting up your network a very easy process.

http://download.cnet.com/Network-Mag...-10722919.html

I'm on a Win7 and a Vista (xp I think is the same) I set it up to share the whole hard drives.
On my vista, I went to start,computer, right clicked on c: (my main drive), press the share tab at the top.
press share- you will need to put a name to the files you want to share and how what kind of access you want open.
The link will be in the Network location in that computer with your public files. (cautious- anyone that has access to your network will have access to your drive now)
In Win 7 the steps are the same.
You will be able to view any file on the other computer, but you must save them on the computer that you are on to be able to change the content.