Can't share files or printers with XP and Vista

I have two computers on a network, one running Vista Home Premium and the other running XP Home Edition SP3. Both computers are in the same workgroup and I have set up duplicate users on the computers. The Vista computer can access printers and files from the XP computer, but when I go to the workgroup from the XP computer and try to access files from the Vista computer a message appears that says:

\\PC is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. Access is denied.

What are possible causes/solutions to this problem?

ephilip

Posted 2009-11-23T13:23:27.103

Reputation: 2 694

Answers

See this thread : Vista pc hidden from XP?

You might try to re-do on your network all that we tried in order to network Vista with XP.
Although we haven't been successful, it might work for you (one never knows in advance).

If everything fails, read the paragraph in my answer about "the last resort".

EDIT

Set Vista to a fixed IP (say 192.168.0.10).
The XP's hosts file is found in C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
Go to its end and add the line:

192.168.0.10 name-of-vista-machine

(the number of spaces between the address and the name isn't important).

harrymc

Posted 2009-11-23T13:23:27.103

Reputation: 306 093

What exactly do I have to enter in the hosts file? – ephilip – 2009-11-23T15:10:26.107

That didn't work. I guess my best option now is just to switch the printer cable and use flash drives to transfer files. – ephilip – 2009-11-23T15:39:33.837

Can you see Vista from XP in Windows Explorer when you enter the address like "\\192.168.0.10" ? And if yes, can you see its shared printer and try to double-click on it? – harrymc – 2009-11-23T16:14:12.457

It still says "access denied". – ephilip – 2009-11-23T16:34:48.530

Could you describe exactly what you're doing and what's happening? – harrymc – 2009-11-23T17:15:45.310

I go to "My Network Places" and then type in the Vista computer's IP address. Then the same message described in the original post pops up. – ephilip – 2009-11-23T17:56:35.073

(1) Have you done EVERYTHING that's described in the thread I cited above? (2) Do you have a Linksys router in your network ? – harrymc – 2009-11-23T18:15:11.260

(1)Yes, (2)No (15 chars.) – ephilip – 2009-11-23T18:52:42.633

Too many possibilities for the cause of your problems. Many report that this tool has fixed their network problems (7 days trial) : http://www.purenetworks.com/product/pro.php

– harrymc – 2009-11-23T22:17:31.927

i have the same combination as u do vista/xp/linux. i have no trouble sharing files, printer or even desktops with teamviewer. i found if in vista u set permissions to everyone u will have no problem if on the same network

Dan Fitzpatrick

Posted 2009-11-23T13:23:27.103

Reputation:

If you have a firewall enabled in both computers, be sure the profile is set the same. Example: Don't have one PC set as a small home or office network and the other set to standalone computer.

Robert

Posted 2009-11-23T13:23:27.103

Reputation: 53