Windows 7 sharing files with pc running XP

ktm128 · 24 Dec 2009

I have a new laptop running Windows 7. I need to access my PC (and external Drives and printers) running on XP.
After much searching these sites I was able to access shared files on my PC and printers but it's not fully working.

Here is how I'm connected.
1.Laptop and PC both have same "workgroup" name MSHOME
2.The Network tree does NOT show my PC, Share files or Printers - ONLY the laptop in there.
3.In the URL box, I typed in my network address \\officepc\ - then the URL drops down ALL my items on the network ex: \\officepc\HPLaser jet (one of my printers) and all other shared files I have.
4. After I click the HPLaser jet, all the shared files appear on the Network tree.
5. I created shot cuts to my desktop for all my shared files on the network.

After I reboot, the network tree ONLY has my laptop again and NONE not my pc or any shared files. So I think I have no connection to the shared files on the network. However, I CAN access all the shared files from the Short cuts on my desk top including the printers even though the Network tree shown no PC shared files. ?????

How can I get the Network Tree to read and detect the shared files since obviously the files are accessible on the network via the short cuts?

ps: I'm not too familiar with all computer stuff this so please be gentle :)

chev65 · 24 Dec 2009

I highly suggest that you use the built in GUI for networking your computers.

There are tutorials for this in this forum and all over the internet. There are also about a hundred threads here in the networking section of the forum on this very subject that also might help if you encounter any strange problems.

The entire process is much easier if you do not use passwords to gain access to those computers. If you do need to use passwords sharing will work best if you use the same User name and password on both machines, however, the machine names must be different.

Here is one of the tutorials to get you started.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...ons-of-Windows

As for the printer problem.
If your printer works on both machines locally you can do the following.

1. Download drivers for WinXP and drivers for Win7.
2. Place and install printer locally on one of the systems lets say Win7
And then do the following on WinXP machine:

Click Start, click Control Panel, click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Printers and Faxes.
Double-click Add Printer to start the Add Printer Wizard, and then click Next.
Click Local printer, clear the Automatically detect and install check box, and then click Next.
Click Create a new port, and then click Local Port in the Port type section.
In the Port Name box, type the path to the printer in the following format, where server is the name of the print server and printer is the name of the printer: \\server\printer
Click Next, and then select a Windows 7 or Windows XP driver for your printer.
Click Next, and then follow the instructions to finish the wizard.

Note the 6. step.. you gotta install WinXP printers as if you would add printer locally.