Windows 7: Windows 7 to Vista LAN Nightmares

After much trial and error, I managed to see both computers (Vista and 7) on my wireless LAN. I could look at public folders from the Win-7 laptop.

THEN ... When I turned the laptop on the next day, I was prohibited from access the Vista computer from the Win-7 computer because I was asked for a user name and password. BOTH computers have password protected sharing turned off. I tried ever combination of user name and password possible. None work. And since Microsoft chose to eliminate Local Security Policy setting from Windows 7 Home, HOW do I turn off ALL password-related requirements so the two machines will talk to each other?



Second, how do I enable my Win-7 computer to access an external storage drive that's attached to the Vista machine?