Vista - problems setting up a XP/Vista home network

I am trying to set up a small network
but having some difficulties – it does not work - I have done everything I think I should have done but still it does not work.

OK what I have is two desktop machines DT (1) and DT(2) running XP Pro I think with SP2 – dont think I have SP3 and a nice four port O2 wirelessrouter
which seems to be a Thomson Telecoms product and lovely new and shiny New Toshiba Tecra M10 running Vista Business. I am running ZoneAlarm as my firewall.

At the movement my main DT PC (1) is the only XP PC connected - obviously using Cat 5 cable and the Toshiba Laptop is also connected using Cat 5 cable. I did the XP set up a home network wizard and that seemed to be OK. I have set both the DT (1) and the LT to be on the same workgroup and on the DT (1) when I go to My Networks and then workgroup I can see (icons for) both the DT (1) and the LT.

I have multiple LARGE drives on the DT (1) and this is why I want the other DT (2) machine on the network to use as a fileserver – i have what must be close to a trillion pictures that i want to sort out - the work of a lifetime and a lifetimes work and i still have years of negatives to scan and sort I will then move all (apart from one) HDD’s to the second DT (2)

When I click on the DT (1) icon I can see the drive that I set up sharing on and i can expend that and see all the folders and files.

When I click on the LT icom I get a time out and an error message


LT PC is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to see if you have access permission.

The network path was not found.

When I go to the LT PC and look at my network I can only see the LT PC in the top section (workgroup name) (1) and two icons for the router that is identified as a SpeedTouch 780 in the next section unspecified (2)

As I have set two drives for sharing I can see them OK when I click on the LT icon


SO I can see the LT on my DT (1) but cant access it – on my LT I cant see my DT (1) I can see network drives but only on the local machine not across the network.

HELLLLLLLLLLLLLP Please

Thanks in anticipation

David

This should get you started.

Ultimate Router Guide: How to Optimize Security and Performance | Maximum PC

Thanks but i am 100% certain i dont have a router issue both PC's are connected using cables both PC's can access the WWW i am quite sure i have a Vista to XP MS home networking issue.

I know what i will do to prove this tomorrow i will connect DT (2) and configure it and if XP to XP file sharing works from DT (1) to DT (2) then i know the problem is Vista and i will roll back my Toshiba Laptop to Win XP Pro. I have not instaled much software on it yet so that wont be a too painful process Might even slip in another bigger HDD and start again with the Laptop maybe even with a dual boot XP and Vista. Computers are so much fun NOT!!!!!!

kindest regards

David

In Xp you network is set to default (MS Home) in Vista it's (workgroup). You have to change all the PC's using XP to workgroup.

Thanks i knew this - they all are set to the same name MOTHERWELL

I connected the other DT using Cat 5 Cable

DT (2) is running XP PRO Sp3 and it also cant see DT (1)

BUT DT (1) can see DT (2) but cant access it

so i guess this could be a ZoneAlarm Firewall problem

I have posted a question on the Zonealaram forum

i might have to try the window firewall

i have also heard that SP3 does give these sort of problems so i am still no further forward

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Try disabling firewall and antivirus then check to see if the can see and transfer...I'm thinking firewall as well.

will do that tomorrow will disconnect the router from the phone line and then drop both my antiV and the firewall and see what happens next

here is the stuff from the ZA forum

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i am trying to set up a home/small office network but ZA(free version) seems to be blocking the traffic how do i configure ZA to let the traffic through


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Hi!
set the LAN as TRUSTED and NOT internet. You find it in the ZA firewall section --> zones.

ZA trusted zone should be set to MEDIUM and NOT HIGH.

Cheers,
Fax


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dont have a LAN entry in Zones

this is on my main desk top

first line is 3Com 3c920B-EBM integrated Fast Ethernet adapter zone is internet
second line is NVIDIA nForce MCP Networking adapter zone is internet
third line is Loopback adapter zone trusted (this is for my MB parts catalog i think on a CD that thinks it is a server)
fourth line is DHCP Server zone is trusted



the other desktop

VIA PCI 10/100 fast ethernet adapter zone internet
DHCP server zone trusted
DNS Server zone trusted

security
internet is high
trusted is medium

program control is med on both PC's

on both PC's
when i look at the logs of Dt -01 and Dt -02
i have a personal policy blocking the traffic between these PC's and the rule is ExtBlockAll2

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ok today got all my IP addresses Dt 1 dt2 router and gateway

BOTH PC's can ping them selves and can ping the router

ZA does ask for ping permission

Neither PC can ping the other and get a reply

need to confogure ZA on both PC's to allow these pings to these IP addresses

Went into ZA logs on both PC's and set the network traffic both in and out that were logged as blocked traffic/ IP addresses of both pc's to be 'trusted'

Now ping on DT 01 to DT 02 works
But ping on DT02 (XP Pro SP3) to DT 01 XP Pro SP2) still does not and nothing in ZA logs now