Networking (to file share) between Windows 7 and Windows XP

I have the same problem with build 7068 ( only able to access network folders by typing address in)

Edit- how crazy , after just copying a shortcut to favorites, so I can access network files easier(than typin adres in). I go back to the Network, and I can see the LAN PC's.
No Idea if this build is bugged or not now, as it's fresh(10 minutes old)install.

Still interested in the setting up the below Netbeui... like the sound of better performance.

torrentg said:

If you feel like it, you could try installing the netbeui protocol on all machines on the network, and then disable netbios in the Local Area Connection settings (you see it when you right click the tray icon.) It actually performs better, is more secure from people trying to enumerate your shares etc...too.

This is for XP, but it's very much the same for Vista and 7 (folder locations specifically). You could find the files needed many places easily on the net as well.

How to install NetBEUI on Windows XP

If you need me to explain the steps in greater detail, let me know.

What is netBEUI? >>>
What is NetBEUI? - a definition from Whatis.com

Do you know if I could still play LAN games with this workaround you mention?
Could you elaborate on how to go about this? it seems pretty interesting to use, even without this network bug. And would like to try it. Maybe start a new thread if it's not welcome/off topic in this one.

Coldout said:

Do you know if I could still play LAN games with this workaround you mention?
Could you elaborate on how to go about this? it seems pretty interesting to use, even without this network bug. And would like to try it. Maybe start a new thread if it's not welcome/off topic in this one.

Yes, you could still play them the same as always. I'm not 100% sure if this is the correct explanation, but is how I understand it>>> I'm not a big network gamer, but I *think* they use normal tcp/ip protocol to communicate. Not netbios or netbeui used for client/server communications of file and print sharing.

For any (or most, I dunno) Microsoft o.s. -

Place each of the two files where they need to be.
1) Nbf.sys goes to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers
2) Place Netnbf.inf in folder C:\Windows\Inf

Here is a .zip containing those 2 files >>> http://www.mac-net.com/images/1024976.zip

now
Windows 7 instructions:
1) Right click the network tray icon.
2) Choose Open Network and Sharing Center
3) Click Local Area Connection
4) Click properties
5) Double left click Internet Protocol Version 4
6) Click Advanced
7) Go to WINS tab
9) Choose Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
10) OK your way out twice until you are back to the Properties tab.
11) Click Install
12) Click protocol
13) Click add
14) Choose netbeui, then ok

I have same problem.. but using build 7000 so my problem is probably similar to yours in that the build issue from 7048 was not the cause.. it must be something about my XP machine (perhaps McAfee filrewall) blocking my connection...

I ran into this problem with the 7068. I couldn't access my XP machine right from the start like I could with the previous builds. I think it's because this build creats a homegroup instead of giving you the option to make one, instead of having the access through user accounts and passwords which is more straight foward but probably not as secure.

I had to play with the settings switching between homegroups and user accounts in advanced sharing settings then all the sudden I could access my XP machine's file's.

I now have it set too "allow windows to manage home group connections". It all works again for me but I had to do some switching back and forth between the two settings and I had to remove my machine from homegroups and then add it again in order for it to work properly.

I'am pretty sure this has to do with another security layer which always ends up creating more problems than they solve. I hope they get this straightend out with the RC because it was a pain to get it working right. Hope this helps someone.

Sorry torrentg, I seem to be having a problem downloading the .zip file. It shows as empty once downloed, after I right click -save as. Well not empty just cannot open archive, using 7zip or with windows extraction.

Just googled and found what I hope is the same 2 files.
Here:- NETBEUI in XP
Thank you, torrentg

A quick question. I gather I need to enable Netbeui on all the PC's on the LAN. Two are using XP, does the installation/setup, differ in any way on those PC's using XP? I know the site says Netbeui for XP, just want to double check.

Thanks again.

lol when i posted the link to the files, it was a good link. They must have had lots of hits or something, didn't like it and disabled it. But ya, the .zip file you link to are the right ones and the same.

Yes, you have to install netbeui on all machines on the network. If you have netbeui on a machine and netbios on another, they definitely will not be able to file share.

No, the installation is same. There are only minor differences, such as the steps to get to where you install it after you placed the files correctly. Like in XP (I'm goin by memory here so...), you right click the tray icon and choose status I believe. Then follow Win 7 instructions from my previous post, starting at number 4.

Further, only in XP and/or Vista (not 7), you may go to the services page (services.msc) and disable the service TCP/IP Netbios Helper. This is not necessary, although I like doing this myself.

FWIW I never got UNC to work right in XP or XP64... so I reverted to my old tried and true since windows 95osr0 method:

set machine A and B on static IP addresses
(xp and newer) disable simple file sharing
enable file sharing with simple easy to remember names
(2000 and newer) set up properties so "authenticated users" are allowed access instead of the default
log in via \\IP (ex. \\192.168.0.10) or file://IP
When adding drive letter mappings, use the IP instead of UNC as well

this **ALWAYS** works for me, ever since win95osr0, as long as network connectivity and TCP/IP are set up properly.

Worked fine for me with a win7 x64 7057 (and 7068) client to an xp x64 sp3 server, and vice versa.

If this doesn't work, the problem is not in the sharing, it is either in networking hardware, drivers, or such!

Ya Jaqie, excellent post and basically describes what I do too after setting netbeui to be the default. Great advice for either netbios or netbeui. I also put machine names and ip addresses in the hosts file of each machine, which helps if a drive is going to be mapped by name.

So \\computernamehere\sharename will work as well as
\\localipaddress\sharename regardless.

And I also name the shares with a $ at the end to keep them hidden, and purposely not show on the network unless you happen to know the right name...i.e. you are admin.

Need a bit of help..
When I get to these steps..
11) Click Install
12) Click protocol
13) Click add
14) Choose netbeui

There is no netbeui to choose.
A multicast protocol or somthing, but no netbeui.
Do I need to use "Have disk"?

If netbeui is not listed, then almost surely the .inf and possibly too, the .sys have not been placed in the correct folders. Have a look in the applicable folders and see that you placed them properly.