Windows 7 - Windows XP Home/Windows 7 Networking: Sharing issues.

Hi there.

This could be a Windows 7 or a Win XP issue. I'm not sure which.

I have two desktops. One running Windows 7 Home Premium, the other running Windows XP Home edition. I've got them networked by wireless dlink router (although using cables running off the ethernet ports) and they are obviously seeing each other as I can browse the entire C: on the Win XP machine from the Windows 7 machine no problem. I can also receive the internet on both machines. The problem lies in trying to view any folder on the Win 7 machine from the Win XP machine.

In Win XP, I browse to Entire Network, Microsoft Windows Networks(?? sorry I'm going off memory here as I'm away from the computers in question) and finally Workgroup. After I click the plus symbol on Workgroup, I then get the two computers listed. Upon double clicking the Windows 7 computer, I get the big bad "<COMPUTER NAME> is not accessible" etc error. I've read all manner of things relating to disabling simple file sharing but this seems to only apply to Windows XP Pro. I've also read about setting permissions for folders but I can't even reach the desired folder so as to right click it and set the permissions. I'm stuck at not being able to double click the Win 7 computer name.

One thing I've thought of however is that the two computers do not have a static ip address set. I was thinking of maybe setting the Win 7 machine to 192.168.0.2 and the XP machine to 192.168.0.3. As it is, I'm not sure of setting IP addresses and subnets etc except on a straight crossover cable set up. In this case, I have the computers networked via a Dlink router. The moment I put a static ip address in the XP machine's TCP/IP settings under Local Area, the net connection is knocked out. As far as I'm aware, the Dlink's ip for accessing it's web page is 192.168.0.1 . Can someone tell me if I'm on the right track here, or can I have the TCP/IP settings as "automatically obtain" and find some other method to get the XP machine to see 7's share folders.

Regards,

JazzCat.

The usual fix for the can't access Win 7 machine from XP is listed below.

On the Windows 7 machine navigate to the following registry key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
create or modify 32-bit DWORD: LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy
set the value to: 1

You don't need to use static IP's to fix this type of problem, use DHCP, it works fine for me in every situation.

Also check the time/date settings on both machines and make sure they are in sync. This will also cause problems with sharing.

As for permissions you will need to add Everyone to the list on the XP machine. Windows 7 has a similar feature but Everyone is already on the list you just need to go through the steps.

Perform the following steps on the XP machine, but because you are already sharing the entire C: drive you must have already done this step. It's not recommended to share the entire drive because it's considered to be a security risk.


Sharing and Permissions

Dlink IP is: 192.168.0.1 therefore that is the Gateway Address!

If these computers are going to be stable in the house then you can always put static IPs:

Computer 1:
IP: 192.168.0.100
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.0.1

DNS & Secondary DNS: Explain Later

Computer 2:
IP: 192.168.0.101
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.0.1

If these computers are always going to be moving and leaving the house since they are laptops you coudl always use the Dynamic IP reservation setting that is on your router. That way everytime that it will enter itno your Wireless Router it will reserve those certin IPs for your computers.

This is my network and it works very well like this... please follow.. but your IP settings will be a little different than mines:

Index of /network

This is for both Windows 7 and Windows XP computers for the IPv4 Settings.

Please disable simple file sharing on the Windows XP computer... Makes it easier to share... also reduces problems

How to disable simple file sharing and how to set permissions on a shared folder in Windows XP

*NOTE*
when it comes to sharing files... Make sure your firewall allows all the connections. Turn them both completely off and disable the internet first to get your network tested before you put your computers back on the internet....

First you test your network with your Internet off with Firewall off to make sure your network is working
then test your computers with internet off with firewall enabled
then with firewall enabled... and your network still working, enable your internet..

This is just for safety percausions.

You need to pull your DNS servers from your router...
They will be located on your STATUS page of your router that you get that information.
If you look under my network folder, you will see something similar.

It will say DNS
Secondary DNS

That is what you will need to enter to get your network on the internet...

If you have the DHCP enabled and the IP's automatically obtained then it will automatically pulll this information from the router. You only have to put this information in if you set it to static.

For folder sharing to work...
You have to have the same user and password on each computer.

Also enable Everybody and have full access on each computer and the folder you want to grant access for sharing.