XP Computers in the Windows 7 Network Map

Windows 7 and Vista have the ability to detect the devices on a network and build a network map based on what it finds. Windows 7 and Vista do this using a protocol called LLTD (Link Layer Topology Discovery). The LLTD Responder is built in to both Windows 7 and Vista. It's also being included in Access Points, Wireless Routers and some NAS devices that display the "Windows 7" Logo.

Among other things LLTD does is detect laptops and desktops that are connected via wireless and builds the network map accordingly. However, any wireless connections will show up only if there's something connected.

However, XP doesn't support the LLTD Responder natively and thus, when the network map is displayed, any PC's running XP (any flavor) will show up on the bottom of the page in their own area, unable to be placed on the map.

Microsoft has a hotfix that will add LLTD Responder support to XP. It does require a Genuine copy of XP and may also require providing your email address to get access to the hotfix. The hotfix only works with SP3 so make sure your system has it installed.


IMPORTANT: This hotfix needs to be installed on every PC running XP on the network.


Here's the link:

Network Map in Windows Vista does not display computers that are running Windows XP

If you look down for the section marked "Resolution", you'll find the link to the hotfix.

To get the hotfix, it's best to use Internet Explorer as you will need to go through Windows Genuine Advantage Validation.

Once it's downloaded, install it on any PC's that are running XP. You may need to reboot the PC afterwards.

Once it's installed, try looking at the Windows 7 Network Map and your XP machines should now display in their proper place in the map.

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a Network Map Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Create a Network and Sharing Center Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to See Full Map of Network Computers and Devices in Windows 7

 

[CarlTR6]

Excellent tutorial. I am glad you pointed out about the emailed download. I will add that Firefox users should use the IE Tab or Coral IE Tab addon.

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

I do not have SP 3 on my Windows Xp.. from another tech website.. it was advised it was causing tons of issues.. so they suggested if all is running smoothly..
NOT install the Sp 3.. so I have not.

My Windows Xp is Windows Genuine Advantage Validation.. a long time ago by Microsoft Updates.. I've not ever had to be concerned about this .
Thanks for helping.

 

[CarlTR6]

LPt, that is OK, you can still get the group to work without LLTD. The map on your Windows 7 computer will just not look right. The group will still work.

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

Carl thank you .. for replying to my confusing situation..
I know somehow this router will work out okay.
If not.. I'll go buy a new router.. and start all over.

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

Carl I've just completed downloading and installing Windows XP... Sp 3..and the LLTD hotfix.. when I was installing the LLTD.. this screen appeared with this message.
It's quite late here.. I'm off to bed.. nite

 

[Barman58]

The hotfix is included in SP3 - also it should be possible to just install the hotfix on systems running SP2 only - This was always the case but of course with the changes in SP2 support this year this may have been changed.

 

[CarlTR6]

LPt, you are in good shape. Your XP has that protocol.

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

The hotfix is included in SP3 - also it should be possible to just install the hotfix on systems running SP2 only - This was always the case but of course with the changes in SP2 support this year this may have been changed.

Barman thanks bunches.. at least I have one thing going for me right now... on this mess.. as soon as I can see about a few things I'll be back here.

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

LPt, you are in good shape. Your XP has that protocol.

Carl oh great.. at least now I have something going right..

If this router... won't work.. I'll just go buy a new router and start over..
I really hate to have your guys trying so hard to get me connected to I E again.. when it seems almost hopeless to me.

YOU all are so kind and helpful..to hang in here with me.

 

[Anak]

Let's see if I understand this........

I have XP Pro Sp3 on one of two PC's that I want to home network, the other being win7.

So after reading 'bout LPt's experience, I won't need to apply the LLTD protocol to it because it already came along with the Sp3 upgrade....
It only needs to be applied to the win7 machine.

Correct?

The router in question is a wired Linksys network-everywhere- NR041 cable/dsl 4port router.

This being my first ever attempt at networking. Is there anything to look out for with this model?


Anak

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

Anak hi...My Router is a Belkin Enhanced Wireless Router.. N 150

OOPS Anak.. I should not have replied to your Q. my error.

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

LPt, you are in good shape. Your XP has that protocol.

Carl thanks..

 

[Anak]

Not a problem LPt Live.....Love.....and Laugh

Happy Easter!

 

[Barman58]

Ok No need to install the hotfix any any machine later than XP SP2, - XP SP3, Vista & win7 have the fix built in

As for setting the network things to watch are

network set as Home or Work (not public)
All systems on same IPv4 network segment, and member of same workgroup.
Firewall set to allow sharing
network discovery and file and printer sharing both on
Identical username on all systems and at least one folder shared using advanced sharing
Password controlled sharing is optional but recommended

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

Ok No need to install the hotfix any any machine later than XP SP2, - XP SP3, Vista & win7 have the fix built in

As for setting the network things to watch are

network set as Home or Work (not public)
All systems on same IPv4 network segment, and member of same workgroup.
Firewall set to allow sharing
network discovery and file and printer sharing both on
Identical username on all systems and at least one folder shared using advanced sharing
Password controlled sharing is optional but recommended

Nigel hi.. When I tried to set get the laptop 0n line as you ask me to do..
it showed "This page cannot connect..".. I looked around to see if there were things I might could do.. I did NOT type or change anything .. I did look at my DSL settings.. on the Laptop.. it appears that I don't have a connection on the laptop for that already..
so that showed me NOT connected..
Here is what I saw in :
Local Area Connection Status
IPv4 connection - No Internet access
IPv6......... No Internet access
Media State... Enabled
Speed 100.0 Mbps
So I closed that screen after taking a screen shot..

 

[Anak]

Hi Nigel, thank you for your reply.

I understand your suggestions, and will apply them as I build my ’net’…….But…..

Because of prior commitments I will not be able to let you know of my progress until late Sunday evening the fourth of April, Eastern Daylight Time.

Anak

 

[Barman58]

There are some basic instructions on network set-up in the win7 help (especially the on-line links) - they are actually quite good with some good explanations of concepts - also of course there are our own Tutorials here - though they are more specific to certain detailed setups.

LPT

I think we are at the stage to connect your laptop to the DSL modem directly via cable and use the disk from your ISP to see if you can get on line. As with the desktop I think this may allow you to connect via the router once connected once directly.

Reason for this is that I think there may be some user/Password info that needs to be on the actual laptop to connect.

If you can open a command prompt on the laptop (type CMD into the start search and select cmd.exe then enter). Then type "ipconfig /all" and enter You can then use CTRL-A and Ctrl-C to copy all the text and Paste into a post here - this will hopefully give some better idea of what is going on - in fact It may be an idea to do the same on the desktop to give a comparison.

Note when posting the information use the Code /Code tags on the forum to make things more readable

 

[alphanumeric]

I have two XP SP3 PCs, they both show up in "The following device(s) can not be placed in the map" section. Since they already have SP3 I can't install the LLTD hot fix. How do you enable the LLTD on the XP PCs? As far as i can tell its not there and or not running?

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

OK will try again to get this screen shot posted for you to see my page as of now.
View attachment 65097

Hope it works this time NOT used to the laptop how this works here.