Networking between Windows 7 & Vista. Is it Possible??

Orbital Shark

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I've been wondering if it's at all possible to network 2 machines, 1 running Windows 7 (build 7057) and the other, Vista??

Also, is it possible to create a network connection over long distance??

E.g. We live a few miles from my girlfriend's Mum & would like to network ours & her laptop if it's possible.

Any help would be great :)
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Compaq Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Sempron Dual Core
Memory
3GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
Screen Resolution
1024x768
Hard Drives
150GB Sata
Hi Orbital Shark,

Yes the networking of Windows 7 and Vista is fully supported if you go to the network and sharing centre in windows 7 and choose Advanced networking (do not set up a Homegroup as this is windows 7 only), and either follow the instructions to join an existing network or to create a new home network.

As for your remote network the best way would probably be a "Virtual Private Network" or VPN, which uses the internet to bridge the gap between the locations.

Have a look Here ...

Welcome to OpenVPN
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    ChillBlast - Custom to my design
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5950X, 3.8 - 5.2 MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime X570-Pro
    Memory
    64GB [2 x 32GB] DDR4 3200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 Ti
    Sound Card
    On-board SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI [5.1 system]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 3840 x 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1TB M2 SSD OS, 500GB Fast Access SSD, 2 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 4TB, 10TB NAS
    PSU
    NZXT C750 80 PLUS Gold 750W Modular PSU
    Case
    Workstation Case [Matt Black]
    Cooling
    NZXT Kraken X63 280mm CPU Cooler +2x Quiet Case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless MX Keys & K400 + others
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless MX Master 3S
    Internet Speed
    920 MB Down 50 MB Up
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security Pro
    Browser
    Chrome (always run latest Non-Beta)
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Blackview TAB 8 4G Android Tablet c/w Keyboard
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Dell XPS 17 10750H
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Latest RP
    CPU
    Intel I7 10750H 5.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell XPS
    Memory
    32GB [2x16GB] DDR4 2933 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX1650Ti 4 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Stock [Realtek] 4 Speaker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" IPS UHD+ Infinity Edge Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400
    Hard Drives
    2TB M2 NVMe, 4TB External + various 500GB & 1TB External NVMe (also have access to spinner HDD from
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Stock XPS Aluminium & Carbon Fibre
    Cooling
    Stock - Active Fan Control
    Keyboard
    Backlit + Various Logitech
    Mouse
    Stock Track Pad + Logitech MX Trackball
    Internet Speed
    72 MB Down 18MB Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
    10TB NAS
Thanks Barman58 i'll give it a try :D
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Compaq Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Sempron Dual Core
Memory
3GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
Screen Resolution
1024x768
Hard Drives
150GB Sata
I have similar problem in that I have a newly installed Windows 7 on the main computer with Vista on a Laptop using a wireless connection. This is all in my own home so security is not a problem. I can see the network drives on both computers but I cannot access the files, however I can print to the main printer via the wireless network. I presume you mean the ' Advanced sharing Settings' but I cannot find anything that is useful there. I'm Administrator for both computers and I think I've configured each drive to share, but still no joy!!
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Buil
OS
windows 7 RC
CPU
Pentium 4
Memory
2000mb DDR
The major difference between Advance networking which is the requirement in Windows 7 and the standard networking used previously is that there are two levels of security that are required.

You have to allow access to the shares using Sharing permissions as previously, but you also need to have correct permissions at the NTFS security level. There is a button on the advanced sharing dialogue to specifically add these permissions to the share. but they may be added manually to all or part if greater control is needed of folders and files.

While the administrator part of a users rights will allow access due to the presence of the UAC it is often required to add specific access rights for the individual users as this will permit access in a non elevated state.

This presumes of course that the same user name is present on both machines otherwise you will be prompted for credentials each time you try to access a share
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    ChillBlast - Custom to my design
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5950X, 3.8 - 5.2 MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime X570-Pro
    Memory
    64GB [2 x 32GB] DDR4 3200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 Ti
    Sound Card
    On-board SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI [5.1 system]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 3840 x 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1TB M2 SSD OS, 500GB Fast Access SSD, 2 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 4TB, 10TB NAS
    PSU
    NZXT C750 80 PLUS Gold 750W Modular PSU
    Case
    Workstation Case [Matt Black]
    Cooling
    NZXT Kraken X63 280mm CPU Cooler +2x Quiet Case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless MX Keys & K400 + others
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless MX Master 3S
    Internet Speed
    920 MB Down 50 MB Up
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security Pro
    Browser
    Chrome (always run latest Non-Beta)
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Blackview TAB 8 4G Android Tablet c/w Keyboard
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Dell XPS 17 10750H
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Latest RP
    CPU
    Intel I7 10750H 5.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell XPS
    Memory
    32GB [2x16GB] DDR4 2933 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX1650Ti 4 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Stock [Realtek] 4 Speaker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" IPS UHD+ Infinity Edge Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400
    Hard Drives
    2TB M2 NVMe, 4TB External + various 500GB & 1TB External NVMe (also have access to spinner HDD from
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Stock XPS Aluminium & Carbon Fibre
    Cooling
    Stock - Active Fan Control
    Keyboard
    Backlit + Various Logitech
    Mouse
    Stock Track Pad + Logitech MX Trackball
    Internet Speed
    72 MB Down 18MB Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
    10TB NAS
I'm getting down to the 'tearing Hair Out Stage' I read your answer very carefully and I've looked at the advanced options and I've also changed the name as admnistrator on both computers to be the same for both. Both are also password accessed using the same password. I've also gone to each file I wanted to share and given them permissions to share. I can see the whole network on both computers, but when I try to access I get the following screen:

'You do not have permission to access \\Sandra\c. Contact your Network Adminisrator to request access.'

This has become really frustrating!!!
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Buil
OS
windows 7 RC
CPU
Pentium 4
Memory
2000mb DDR
Go physically to the computer you want to share from.

Open Windows Explorer (Computer). Click organize at top left, then folder and search options. View tab. Scroll to bottom in advanced settings pane. Uncheck the box for Use Sharing Wizard (Recommended). Hit ok.

Go to the folder or drive you want to share. Rt click, choose properties. Sharing tab. Advanced sharing. Click the box for share this folder. Enter a name. Put a $ at the end if you want it hidden on the network. Limit the users to the amount of other computers you have. Hit permissions. Click add.
Type everyone. Give full control if you want or leave only read access if you want. Ok your way out.

Now go on machine you want to access with and map your shares.

On any machine, you may open a command prompt and type net view then hit enter to see unhidden shares on the network. Or you can use the net share command to see what you are sharing. Complete drives are shared as default and hidden with the drive letter name and $. i.e. C:\ = C$

In network and sharing center, click change advanced sharing settings near top left. Click the dropdown arrow for the type of network you previously had set it as. Make sure turn on password protected sharing is on. Also turn on file and print sharing if it is not. You want 128 bit encryption.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
self built
OS
7600.20510 x86
CPU
P4 550 3.4 GHz HT running at 3.5 GHz
Motherboard
MSI PM8M3-V (MS-7211 v1.x) Micro-ATX mainboard
Memory
OCZ 2 GB(2x1GB) DDR400mHz running @ 414 mHz
Graphics Card(s)
HIS Radeon HD 3850 IceQ 3 Turbo HDMI Dual DL-DVI AGP
Sound Card
MOTU Traveler firewire studio interface 192 kHz 24 bit
Monitor(s) Displays
22" widescreen Acer X223W LCD, 17" Compaq P75 CRT
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 and 1280x1024
Hard Drives
SATA I x2 WD, 400 GB and 120 GB, SATA 2 WD Caviar Black 1 TB
PSU
350W generic
Case
Cybertronpc, it glows blue
Cooling
stock cpu fan, Ice-Q 3 gpu and system, many case fans
Keyboard
Logitch Classical Keyboard 200
Mouse
Logitech Mediaplay cordless
Internet Speed
1792/448 kbits/sec
Other Info
SATA II PCI fake RAID adapter, 1 GB Readyboost, original ATI Remote Wonder (even works with WMC perfectly), Logitech Rumblepad 2 game controller x2
Jeff,

TeamViewer is a great free program for remote over the internet.

I have set up a two way remote between 2 computers that way :geek:


" Doc "
 

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My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Built them myself, Science Experiments !
OS
Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
CPU
AMD fx8350 4ghz, AMD-32 2400mhz, AMD-64 3200mhz, AMDx64 2.8G
Motherboard
SIS 755, ECS-K8M890M-M (Ult 7600), GigaByte & others
Memory
2gb, 4gb on the Ult 7600, 4gb on Technet RTM, 32gb on FX8350
Graphics Card(s)
Draw my own Graphics, several nVidia cards
Sound Card
on motherboard
Monitor(s) Displays
19" flat scr, 28" I-Inc widescr,22" Emprex Widescr, 23" Acer
Screen Resolution
1280 x 1024, 1440 x 900, 1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
6 pata Ide HD's & 2 Sata HD's
added 80gb external on Ult 7600 computer,
numerous extra 1tb, 2TB, 3Tb SATA HD's
A collection of ext HD Docks w/ HDs
PSU
430w, 550w, 600w, 700, 800, etc
Case
All Generic Full Towers
Cooling
Open Air & a few fans, some w/ colored LEDs
Keyboard
Compaq & Dell recycled from GoodWill
Mouse
Made in China Optical Wired Mouse
Internet Speed
Fast Cable InterNet
Antivirus
AVG Free on 24 different Desktops, NO Problems!
Browser
IE 8 is preferred, but use FireFox sometimes
Other Info
Linksys Routers, switches, & Hubs
Too Many USB Flash Drives to count, Biggest is 64GB !
Eight computers in my home network.
Sixteen computers at my business network.
Linked via TeamViewer !
Lots of old used spare computer parts everywhere!
This presumes of course that the same user name is present on both machines otherwise you will be prompted for credentials each time you try to access a share

Yes, but not necessarily completely true. You can set Windows to remember the credentials if they're different upon mapping a remote share. Just check the boxes for connect using different credentials AND reconnect at logon.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
self built
OS
7600.20510 x86
CPU
P4 550 3.4 GHz HT running at 3.5 GHz
Motherboard
MSI PM8M3-V (MS-7211 v1.x) Micro-ATX mainboard
Memory
OCZ 2 GB(2x1GB) DDR400mHz running @ 414 mHz
Graphics Card(s)
HIS Radeon HD 3850 IceQ 3 Turbo HDMI Dual DL-DVI AGP
Sound Card
MOTU Traveler firewire studio interface 192 kHz 24 bit
Monitor(s) Displays
22" widescreen Acer X223W LCD, 17" Compaq P75 CRT
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 and 1280x1024
Hard Drives
SATA I x2 WD, 400 GB and 120 GB, SATA 2 WD Caviar Black 1 TB
PSU
350W generic
Case
Cybertronpc, it glows blue
Cooling
stock cpu fan, Ice-Q 3 gpu and system, many case fans
Keyboard
Logitch Classical Keyboard 200
Mouse
Logitech Mediaplay cordless
Internet Speed
1792/448 kbits/sec
Other Info
SATA II PCI fake RAID adapter, 1 GB Readyboost, original ATI Remote Wonder (even works with WMC perfectly), Logitech Rumblepad 2 game controller x2
Jeff,

TeamViewer is a great free program for remote over the internet.

I have set up a two way remote between 2 computers that way :geek:


" Doc "

Very cool. It reminds me of a Dameware type of app, which I used to put to good use every now and then. Think X-Scan in conjunction lol.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
self built
OS
7600.20510 x86
CPU
P4 550 3.4 GHz HT running at 3.5 GHz
Motherboard
MSI PM8M3-V (MS-7211 v1.x) Micro-ATX mainboard
Memory
OCZ 2 GB(2x1GB) DDR400mHz running @ 414 mHz
Graphics Card(s)
HIS Radeon HD 3850 IceQ 3 Turbo HDMI Dual DL-DVI AGP
Sound Card
MOTU Traveler firewire studio interface 192 kHz 24 bit
Monitor(s) Displays
22" widescreen Acer X223W LCD, 17" Compaq P75 CRT
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 and 1280x1024
Hard Drives
SATA I x2 WD, 400 GB and 120 GB, SATA 2 WD Caviar Black 1 TB
PSU
350W generic
Case
Cybertronpc, it glows blue
Cooling
stock cpu fan, Ice-Q 3 gpu and system, many case fans
Keyboard
Logitch Classical Keyboard 200
Mouse
Logitech Mediaplay cordless
Internet Speed
1792/448 kbits/sec
Other Info
SATA II PCI fake RAID adapter, 1 GB Readyboost, original ATI Remote Wonder (even works with WMC perfectly), Logitech Rumblepad 2 game controller x2
Jeff,

TeamViewer is a great free program for remote over the internet.

I have set up a two way remote between 2 computers that way :geek:


" Doc "

Very cool. It reminds me of a Dameware type of app, which I used to put to good use every now and then. Think X-Scan in conjunction lol.


I have TeamViewer set up on both computers, with run at startup & with passwords. So I can access the other computer completely from either location :geek:
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Built them myself, Science Experiments !
OS
Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
CPU
AMD fx8350 4ghz, AMD-32 2400mhz, AMD-64 3200mhz, AMDx64 2.8G
Motherboard
SIS 755, ECS-K8M890M-M (Ult 7600), GigaByte & others
Memory
2gb, 4gb on the Ult 7600, 4gb on Technet RTM, 32gb on FX8350
Graphics Card(s)
Draw my own Graphics, several nVidia cards
Sound Card
on motherboard
Monitor(s) Displays
19" flat scr, 28" I-Inc widescr,22" Emprex Widescr, 23" Acer
Screen Resolution
1280 x 1024, 1440 x 900, 1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
6 pata Ide HD's & 2 Sata HD's
added 80gb external on Ult 7600 computer,
numerous extra 1tb, 2TB, 3Tb SATA HD's
A collection of ext HD Docks w/ HDs
PSU
430w, 550w, 600w, 700, 800, etc
Case
All Generic Full Towers
Cooling
Open Air & a few fans, some w/ colored LEDs
Keyboard
Compaq & Dell recycled from GoodWill
Mouse
Made in China Optical Wired Mouse
Internet Speed
Fast Cable InterNet
Antivirus
AVG Free on 24 different Desktops, NO Problems!
Browser
IE 8 is preferred, but use FireFox sometimes
Other Info
Linksys Routers, switches, & Hubs
Too Many USB Flash Drives to count, Biggest is 64GB !
Eight computers in my home network.
Sixteen computers at my business network.
Linked via TeamViewer !
Lots of old used spare computer parts everywhere!
Thank you Barman58 and torrentg for your time and help. I'm slowly getting there but I still don't have two machines fully talking with each other. The advice from torrentg worked OK for Windows 7 but didn't seem to apply to Vista. I can currently see the public folders in the laptop (with vista) from the PC (master computer), but I still need permission to view the two drives in the laptop. From the laptop I need a user name and password to access the drives in the PC, but I don't have a password that I'm aware of. Now you see why my hair is getting thinner.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Buil
OS
windows 7 RC
CPU
Pentium 4
Memory
2000mb DDR
From the laptop I need a user name and password to access the drives in the PC, but I don't have a password that I'm aware of.

Of course you do. User name/Password = same you use to get on PC when you start it and are sitting with it.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
self built
OS
7600.20510 x86
CPU
P4 550 3.4 GHz HT running at 3.5 GHz
Motherboard
MSI PM8M3-V (MS-7211 v1.x) Micro-ATX mainboard
Memory
OCZ 2 GB(2x1GB) DDR400mHz running @ 414 mHz
Graphics Card(s)
HIS Radeon HD 3850 IceQ 3 Turbo HDMI Dual DL-DVI AGP
Sound Card
MOTU Traveler firewire studio interface 192 kHz 24 bit
Monitor(s) Displays
22" widescreen Acer X223W LCD, 17" Compaq P75 CRT
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 and 1280x1024
Hard Drives
SATA I x2 WD, 400 GB and 120 GB, SATA 2 WD Caviar Black 1 TB
PSU
350W generic
Case
Cybertronpc, it glows blue
Cooling
stock cpu fan, Ice-Q 3 gpu and system, many case fans
Keyboard
Logitch Classical Keyboard 200
Mouse
Logitech Mediaplay cordless
Internet Speed
1792/448 kbits/sec
Other Info
SATA II PCI fake RAID adapter, 1 GB Readyboost, original ATI Remote Wonder (even works with WMC perfectly), Logitech Rumblepad 2 game controller x2
Hi Orbital Shark,

Yes the networking of Windows 7 and Vista is fully supported if you go to the network and sharing centre in windows 7 and choose Advanced networking (do not set up a Homegroup as this is windows 7 only), and either follow the instructions to join an existing network or to create a new home network.

As for your remote network the best way would probably be a "Virtual Private Network" or VPN, which uses the internet to bridge the gap between the locations.

Have a look Here ...

Welcome to OpenVPN

How to undo a home group?
Thanks
 

My Computer

OS
Win7
network credentials

i m running windows 7 on my laptop and vista business on my desktop.
i donot have any logon user id and password for both my systems. when i try to open one from the others network sharing they ask for credentials. i tried typing several user ids and passwords they donot workout. please solve my issue.
 

My Computer

OS
windows 7 home premium
Just like to remind you that VPN is not supported by most ISP's for the downloading of files etc. They have blocked mine! (Virgin that is!).
 

My Computer

OS
Stools

My Computer

OS
Stools
Windows 7 and Vista LAN

Hi Orbital Shark,

Yes the networking of Windows 7 and Vista is fully supported if you go to the network and sharing centre in windows 7 and choose Advanced networking (do not set up a Homegroup as this is windows 7 only), and either follow the instructions to join an existing network or to create a new home network.

As for your remote network the best way would probably be a "Virtual Private Network" or VPN, which uses the internet to bridge the gap between the locations.

Have a look Here ...

Welcome to OpenVPN

I have that set and both computers show in both of the network maps, but they won't allow me to 'LogIn' to access to the other computer drives and files without the proper credentials: \\Computer_Name\User_Name.
; ,
The 'User Control' is turned off in both computers. It won't allow me to add the User_Name from the other computer, as it only accepts it's own Computer_Name.
\\Win7 will ONLY accept Groups and Users from Win7, it won't allow me to create anything permisions on it with \\Vista\User_Name
, '
Also in Windows 7, the 'Full Netwrok' map shows a mysterious and unknown 'switch' between the 2 computers and the Router. I have no idea what this is and does? It isn't there in the Vista LAN map.

So I'm having a 'permission' problem. Both computers only have one user and neither of them needs any password to Log In with.
, ;
So I don't know:
1) What to use as the '\\Computer_Name\User_Name' to sign into and access the other computer.
2) Even when I find out 'What' to use to sign into the other computer, I don't know where to enter this information as it won't accept the other's computer name to add this as a valid UserName in the 'Groups/Users' permissions.
; ' ,
Thanks for any and all assistance
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
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