Sharing a new Win7 PC with existing winXP, win2k, and win98 network

[Littleberry]

What I have read so far is that my new windows 7 systems (either 64 or 32 bit, I have both) will not allow me access to my existing network of two windows 98 systems, one win2000k system, and one windows XP system.

My existing network, which I have had for many years, and works great (allows any of my PC's to see the hard drives of any and all of my other pc's), and it is not feasable for me to upgrade all of these existing PC's to windows 7.

Surely, some windows guru's have come up with a work-around for windows 7 that will allow it to see the drives to an existing network - no? That would seem like a very worthwhile project.

My network is hardwired to an ATT router connected via DSL. It does have wireless capability, which I don't use except when getting onto the internet with a laptop sometimes at this home facility (I rarely do this).

If nobody here has come across a workaround for this problem of windows 7 not allowing access to prior windows systems networks, then I am about to give it up - my fall back option is to downgrade my new windows 7 sysems to windows XP so that I can join my existing network. What a shame, but I need access to all my exisitng hard drives.

 

[AddRAM]

Since no one`s posted.

Complete Guide to Networking Windows 7 with XP and Vista

How to Let Windows 7 PCs Recognize Windows XP Home PCs on a Network - dummies

Windows 7 can not connect to Windows 2000 share Microsoft Windows 7 FAQ | DSLReports, ISP Information

 

[Littleberry]

I am getting absolutely nowhere. I went into my win98se PC and changed home to workgroup, and, then I couldn't access anything outside that PC. This is so very confusing, and, each system has different network windows that don't seem to be talking the same language. I should have left well enough alone, but, now, I am starting to think my windows 98se PC isn't going to be able to share its hd's with my windows 7 pc, nor vice-versa. If someone could point me to a good book, or webpage, that starts from scratch (assuming I know NOTHING) and walks you through the windows you have to engage on each system (win7 and win98se) as to how they can have full access to each other's hd's, I could sure use that help.
It is such a hassle to have to copy folders to a thumbdrive in order to get data from one system to the other, and, I was able to do it via networking before I installed windows 7 and tried to get win98se to be on the same workgroup.
I suppose msoft had good reasons for making it so hard to network with older systems, but, I can't see why.

 

[tiffdawson]

How to Network Windows 7 and Windows 98