Windows 7 - Low file transfer rate over Lan (between win7+xp)

Hi all.

As the title suggests I am struggling with my file transfer rate.
I'm hoping the answer is something obvious that hopefully I have missed but i will explain further.


I have 2 PC's linked directly in a LAN.
PC1 is running Windows 7 Home Premium - 64bit
PC2 is running Windows XP Home Edition - Service Pack 3



Both computers have the same Workgroup
PC2 has 2x Hard drives, one of which I have set up as a "Shared" hard drive.
PC1 I have changed in 'Advanced sharing settings' - network discovery/public folder sharing/file and printer sharing turned on.
Also ‘File sharing connections’ is on ‘Enable file sharing for devices…..’
And I have turned off password protected sharing.

Those settings are for both ‘Home or Work’ and ‘Public’


I can’t figure out why I have such slow file transfer rates, if anyone can help I would really REALLY appreciate it. I have been looking all over the net for a solution but can’t find one.

Please and thanks for any and all help.
(If you need any further info I will be happy to give it, I’m not the most technical person but I will try my best XD )

is this a common problem, ive been searching the net, seems other people have the same or similar problem but it doesnt look like there are any solutions.

What hardware do you have in those computers (drives, NIC, motherboard, etc)? What router do you have? Are you using wifi or ethernet cable to connect to your router? Did these computers come preconfigured with 7/XP, or did you install it yourself? Do you have the manufacturer's drivers installed (ie: did you download them yourself and install them) or did you let Windows find and install them?