Windows XP cannot access Windows 7 workgroup

Maybe this can Help.

Win7 when configured on peer-to-peer Network has three types of Sharing configurations.

HomeGroup Network = Works only between Win 7 computers. This type of configuration makes it very easy to Entry Level Users to start Network sharing.

 Work Network = Basically similar to the previous methods of sharing that let you control what, how, and to whom folders would be shared with.

 Public Sharing = Public Network (like Internet cafe) to reduce security risks.

 For best results log to each computer's System Screen and set all the computers to be on a Network with the same name while each computer has its own unique name.

http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/net_name.jpg

Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party Firewall instructions

General example,  http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trusted

Please Note that some 3rd party Software Firewalls keep blocking aspects of Local Traffic even it they are turned Off (disabled). If possible configure the Firewall correctly, or totally uninstall it to allow clean flow of local network traffic. If the 3rd party software is uninstalled or disables, make sure that Windows native Firewall is On .

Since you have a Network with Win 7 and other version of Windows you need to configure Win 7 as Work Network.

In the Network Center, clicking on the Network type opens the window to the right.

Choose your type of Network. Notice the check mark at the bottom, and check/uncheck it according to your needs.

http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/net_type.jpg

Win 7 - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Networking-home-computers-running-different-versions-of-Windows

Win 7  Work Network specific folder sharing - http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windows7/windows7_sharing.htm

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx

Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista (Not need for XP-SP3) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

When finished with the setting of the system it is advisable to Reboot all the hardware including the Router and all computers involved.

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If needed check specifically the Permission/Security settings.

Point to the a Folder that meant to  to be share. Right click and choose properties.

In the properties

Click on the Security tab shown in the pic bellow to the right) and check that the users and their permission (shown in the pic bellow center and left) are correctly configured. Then do the same to the Permission tab.

This screen shot is from Win 7, Vista's menus are similar.

http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/Permission-Security.jpg

In both the Security panel, and the Permission panel you have to highlight each User/Group and examine that the Permission Controls are checked correctly.

When everything is OK, Reboot the Network (Router, and computer).

Please Note that the Groups and Users shown in the screen shoot are just an example. Your list will look the way your system is configured.

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*Note. Some of the processes described above are done Not for Windows sake but to compensate for different Routers and the way their firmware works and stores the info about the computers that are Networked.

Thanks Jack for the quick reply, but I have already done the above steps before posting. And have doublechecked them just to be on the safe side.

The strange part is Windows XP PCs being able to get access for a short period then not.

Hi

When you lose acess to the Network, does it keep normal Internet connection?

If it does lose the connection, then it might be "Quirky" cable/switch port/Network card

Also if you Router can do IP reservation configure it to do so.

IP reservation would assign always the same IP to each computer, thus makes Network access smoother since every computer would be always at the same address rather then changing the IP every time when the lease expires.

Hi Jack,

When the workgroup connection fails, the Internet still works just fine.

Another thing: As a test I set-up a shared folder on one of the XP machines and tried accessing from another PC after the XP connection to Windows 7 had broken and it still worked.

Already using IP reservation on the network too.

Hi

Are any of the XP  computers running the Home version?

Home version = Simple file sharing issue.

May be you exceed the 10 concurrent connections of peer-to-peer (5 with home version) and it is time to switch to Windows 2008 SBS.

Hi

Disconnect the Network cables from the Win 7 computers, and see if you can establish sharing and file transfer between the two XPs.

Hi Jack,

Will try this on Friday (not at work till then) but I think the XP machines will happily talk to eachother. What do you think the next step would be if they do / don't?

Daniel

Hi

Is the TCP/IP of the Windows XP computers optimized correctly, http://www.ezlan.net/Internet_Speed.html

Get all the Network cards of the server and the XP computer out of Power- saving.

Connecting a Win 7 computer to an XP computer with crossover cable and Static IPs, to rule out peripherals problems.