Map Network Drives from XP to Win7

Hi everyone,
I have 3 Windows 7 Ultimate computers hooked up to a ATT FastAccess DSL line. They are in a Homegroup. I also have 2 Windows xp Pro computers that are connected to same the FastAccess DSL. From the XP can see all win7/xp computers by browsing the "entire network".

On one of the Win7 computers is assigned to Susan. Susan Win7 PC has a 4 Tb external hard drive attached to it. I created a folder on the 4 tb external HD called Frank and shared it.

What I am needing to do is on Frank's Windows XP Pro computer is to Map Network Drive and Map to the "frank" folder and have it reconnect at logon. Problem is when it goes to map the folder it wants an id/password to connect to the "frank folder". I can enter the credentials that Susan uses on her PC and the drive will map just fine but I need it to map without asking for any credentials. I already tried "reconnect at logon" and it shows in explorer but wants a password to reconnect.

I was thinking if I create a Frank user id and password on Susan's PC then use those credentials when frank tries to connect to the folder "frank" from his XP Pro PC then that might work. I am not sure.

Any ideas? Thank You
Lat3 (Raj)

lat3 said:

Hi everyone,
I have 3 Windows 7 Ultimate computers hooked up to a ATT FastAccess DSL line. They are in a Homegroup. I also have 2 Windows xp Pro computers that are connected to same the FastAccess DSL. From the XP can see all win7/xp computers by browsing the "entire network".

On one of the Win7 computers is assigned to Susan. Susan Win7 PC has a 4 Tb external hard drive attached to it. I created a folder on the 4 tb external HD called Frank and shared it.

What I am needing to do is on Frank's Windows XP Pro computer is to Map Network Drive and Map to the "frank" folder and have it reconnect at logon. Problem is when it goes to map the folder it wants an id/password to connect to the "frank folder". I can enter the credentials that Susan uses on her PC and the drive will map just fine but I need it to map without asking for any credentials. I already tried "reconnect at logon" and it shows in explorer but wants a password to reconnect.

I was thinking if I create a Frank user id and password on Susan's PC then use those credentials when frank tries to connect to the folder "frank" from his XP Pro PC then that might work. I am not sure.

Any ideas? Thank You
Lat3 (Raj)

You may need to set up the security permissions on that Windows 7 drive in order to access it without passwords. You might also have better luck using a Workgroup only for your mixed Op system network. It can help with this problem to turn off simple file sharing on the XP pro machine.

The Homegroup network is only made to work with all Windows 7 machines. Mixing different Op systems into a Homegroup network is not a supported configuration but can be made to work although it may not work perfectly for you. It might also help to change the password settings under Advanced Sharing settings window in Windows 7.

As for accessing that drive without using a password. When you right click that drive, besides setting up the Advanced sharing permissions you will also need to go into the Advanced Security permissions tab and set it to allow you to share through that drive. Sharing through drives is more difficult because it's considered a security risk.

As for the actual mapping of the drive this tutorial might help.
Map Network Drive

Thanks guys. I will try your suggestions and post back.

I really do not recall why i posted this. I did things resolved with your suggestions. Thank You