Vista - Odd file sharing problem

A few weeks ago i had to reinstall my copy of vista home premium 64 because i installed new RAM and it corrupted windows. . .(wierd!)

Anyway i have a couple of problems now, both very annoying:

1) my pc does not connect to the internet when i wake it from sleep. It requires me to shut down and turn off power completely, then reboot. My previous install of windows was fine

2) my pc is set up (as far as i can tell) to file share. to see other computers AND share. I cannot see other XP machines on my network, they cannot see me. Before i reinstalled it was also fine.

I have tried so many different things now to rectify the problem but nothing seems to solve it

This is incredibly frustrating, any help will be muchly appreciated.
I'm a little annoyed at microsoft to be honest. I've put up with so many problems and worked aorund them, but sleeping and file sharing - two features which they used to sell vista have given me such problems recently.

What happens if you disable your firewall and/or the Windows firewall?

I've tried turning the windows firewall off, which is my only firewall, and it made no difference. I checked and it has file sharing enabled in the setting of firewall.

The name of your network is the same on all computers?
Maybe this link can help you: File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista

I've tried the microsoft way of doing things and it didn't work

I'm thinking theres maybe something a bit more technical wrong. Unfortunately i think i've reached my depth of understanding

Hi Sidney1st,
On your Vista Machines is Network Discovery turned on, Also check wheter your getting a DHCP or Static IP. Can you please post your IPconfig /all overhere so that i could have a look. also if you are using a DHCP check your router or DHCP Server Wheter DNS and Defult gateways are correct. if that doesnt work please post the ipconfig /all and describe your network more.

Hope this Helps.

Cheers !!