Vista - trying to setup a small home network.

Hi guys,

I've been trying for a while now, to connect 3 of my computers in a small home network. As far I understand all I have to do is have a wireless router.. and then put all 3 computers under the same workgroup, then they should be able to see each other. I do have a trend micro firewall, which I put under the profile small home network.

Anyone know why I can't see my other computers...? or a way to get more information of why I can't see them?

Ed.

As long as they are all in the same LAN you will be able to connect to each other. Ensure Network Discovery is enabled.

Hmmm. same LAN. it says: Multiple Networks, between my computer and the Internet world icon.

I do have Network discovery on.. hmmm :\

I did forget to mention though. The other 2 computers have windows XP SP 3. Anything else I can verify?

Ed

You should still be able to see the other computers even if they are running a different version of windows. I dont see how you have multiple networks if its all one LAN...maybe if you bridge all the LANs that might do the trick.

Do you know how to create a network bridge?

Hmm. Nope. I think the multiple networks is more of an accident of me not knowing what to do.. and enabling all sorts of options to see if it works, I don't remember seeing it there before.

Is there a way to return back to the default settings, for the network?

Im not sure if there is a way to reset the connections to the defaults...

Try this - Highlight all the connections and click Bridge Connections. See if that helps.

Hmm I tried that but I saw no change. Am I suppose to bridge my Disconnected LAN to my wireless LAN?

Here try this info: came from barman in a previous post called " Accessing a network on XP".

The major issues with XP/Vista sharing are Related to the fact that XP and Vista use a different workgroup name and the new discovery system used in vista answers to both are here ...

InformIT: How to Network Vista and XP Computers Together > How to Network Vista and XP Computers Together

and Here ...

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

So try these tips and post back with your results. Great info, so thank barman, I just moved it here for you. Good luck.

Hmm that worked, it didn't let me install it on SP3, so I followed this tutorial.

Link Layer Topology Discovery (KB922120) not included in SP3 no problem!!! Read on... - Windows Live

Anyhow, I'm able to see the computer now in the map, but I am unable to access it. It doesn't show up in the network. Even though they have the same workgroup

Change to workgroup names on the xp machines to the same name on the vista machine. Vista by default is "Workgroup". Change all xp machines to that.

Next it firewall settings. Make sure your firewall will allow access to it. You might have to manually go in and configure it to do so. I was having issues with my firewall as well. I was having same problem as you, I did all the above and previously mentioned and then change my firewall. I started using MS built in firewall and since then I have not had an issue with any pc seeing or accessing each other on my network.