Network file sharing between xp and 7

I'm trying to set up shared folders on an XP computer, to be viewed on a windows 7 computer.

My setup is this:

Windows 7 (ZombyGeek-PC) --------- Router --------- Windows XP (Desktop-PC)

Both computer's are under the same workgroup name: ZOMBYHORDE

I can access the "Public Folders" in windows 7 from windows xp, but I cannot access the "Shared Documents" folder in windows xp from windows 7.

When in windows 7, clicking "Desktop-PC" from the network window, i'm prompted for a user name and password. I've typed in the windows xp username and password AND the windows 7 user name and password, but both say "Login Failure: unknown user name or bad password." Which is not true.

I don't know what else to do. I've been searching Google all day.

I think I have a similar problem, although it seems to be intermittent.

I also am prompted for "Network Password" ......whatever that is, but only "sometimes".

Often I can see my files on XP with no problem ........no clue what I'm doing to cause the problem to come and go.

I can provide more details if that would help.

Oh, and I have never been able to turn on network discovery in Win 7 (home network by the way .....not work or public). I set it, but then it gets turned off after I save/exit and return.

I'm not prompted for a network password. I'm prompted for a username and password for a user account. and i'm ALWAYS prompted with this.. i've never gotten it to work with WAN, only LAN.

This Microsoft article may be of help to you.

Networking home computers running different versions of Windows

Sub Styler said:

OK, I have sucess accessing XP from 7 when XP has simple file sharing disabled (in folder view options strangely) and the folders are shared manually, also the XP machine MUST have passwords on all accounts. these are the credentials (admin status) I use when prompted for password. And that machine is added to my win homegroup

I usually get there by typing \\systemname\sharename into the run folder as it seems faster than going through my network etc etc and waiting for it to refresh a list of available machines and shares.

I've already tried that. It's not really necessary for me anymore though, as long as I can transfer files back and forth, but I might try this again tomorrow.

@seavixen32 i've already been there, wasn't much help :/

OK ......I've tried setting PW on the XP machine .......no joy with that. I also set my C-drive to be sharable on the network (along with a bunch of files I set as shareable). I don't think this made any difference other than now I can access my entire XP C-drive from the Win 7 machine WHEN I do establish a connection.

But, what I have been able to establish, or so it seems, is that if I power up XP first......and then Win 7, all is well ! ...........and that if I do this in the reverse order, I get the PW request, which I don't still now how to satisfy.

Sooo ......I guess I have a solution (not at all elegant) .....which is power up XP first, which I know sound crazy, but it does the trick for me. BTW, I don't even have to log in on XP to see any of the XP shared files on the Win 7 PC.

In any event, thank you for your responses ......at least it promoted more thinking on my part, which led to what is a reasonable solution for me.

well that's just weird. i didn't think it'd work, but i shut down both of my machines, and started xp first, then 7.. then i magically had full access to winxp via 7..... weird... i don't get it.. i wasn't prompted for a password or anything.. it just went..

thanks for you help

OK .......good that it worked for you also.

I seem to recall instances when I would "lose" the connection after it had been established, but rarely and not immediately .............however, a reboot of the win7 PC always fixed the problem ......again, to the best of my recollection. I haven't been very diligent about keeping notes as I've thrashed through this.

Anyway .......looks like a case of dumb luck has served us well .......

Bob

Well .......I have to now disown my theory about the order in which the PCs are started. After more tested I'm finding that that is not really a reliable solution.

I'm back to this being a maddening intermittent problem .........coming and going for no apparent reason .... ............which I'm continuing to investigate.

Anyway, I didn't want anyone to think I had the answer .......but will provide updates if/when I have any.

I can live with the problem, as unsatisfying as that is.

Bob