Sharing between XP and 2000

[bibsoconner]

I need some help sharing files between my Windows XP Pro and Windows 2000 Pro. I believe I have followed the steps in Steve Winograd's article. I have disable all but TCP/IP on both machines, both computers have the same group name, ICF is disabled on the XP machine for LAN.

Other relevant info.... I disabled Simple File Sharing on the Windows XP machine. Both machines are connected to a LinkSys Wireless Router ( BEFW11S4 ver. 2) . I am able to browse the internet from both computers. However, I can't get each computer to see each other thru windows explorer. That is, going to Network Neighborhood -> Workgroup reveals only the actual computer. Curiously, I am able to ping from both computers to their mates.

I'd appreciate any help, advice, or references folks could give me.

Thank you!

Andrew Walker

[Greenstead]

Hmm...I must read that article, I'm sure its very helpful.

You should not disable simple file sharing.
You should check the boxes for Client for MS Networks and File Sharing.

Heres a checklist to run thro to enable PCs to share resources:
Note : You only need one protocol (NetBT = Netbios over TCP/IP)
- All PCs have TCP/IP installed.
- All PCs have Netbios over TCP/IP enabled.
- All PCs have the same workgroup.
- All PCs have a unique computer name.
- ALL PCs have network shares defined directly under c:.
- ALL NICS are on the same subnet (typically IP 192.168.0.* subnet 255.255.255.0).
- MS Client and file & printer sharing are checked on each NIC.
- All NICs have their node type = broadcast or Hydrid (check with Ipconfig /all).
- XP's ICF firewall is permanently disabled.
- All 3rd party firewalls are disabled (until connection is working).

Also it is easier (but not essential) if both PCs use the same user ID and password.

[bibsoconner]

Greenstead,

Thanks for your response. Thanks to your suggestions, I'm much closer. I disabled the ZoneAlarm firewall I had running on the Windows 2000 machine. I also enabled simple file sharing on the Windows XP machine. From the 2000 machine, I can now browse all of the XP machine (I set it up to share the root) with no problems. However, when I click on the 2000 machine from XPs explorer, it asks me for a username/password, this I give, and I am able to see only "Printers and Faxes" and "Scheduled Tasks", even though I have shared the root directory on the Windows 2000 machine. So, if you would indulge a few more questions they would be:

1. Why can't I see the entire 2000 machine? Why am I forced to enter the username/password for it and not for the XP machine.

2. Is there a way to use ZoneAlarm or is it not recommended on a home network? Admittedly, it is not particularly important now that my entire home is behind a LinkSys router.

3. Must I use the Simple File Sharing on XP? This presents a bit of a problem when programming in .NET. I ran into a problem where I was trying to write a file into my webservices directory (Inetpub/wwwroot). Try as I might, I always got a message saying that I couln't write to that directory. I searched the newsgroups and the answer was, (you guessed it!),
"Disable Simple File Sharing on XP - it's a known problem".

Thanks for all your help.

Andrew Walker

[Greenstead]

1. XP allows users in to net share via a net guest account so no ID is needed. W2K requires a valid ID and password that exists on the W2K PC. I would think the problem is a permissions issue on the W2K PC but I don't know this area.

2. I use Zonealarm no problem. You have to put your subnet in the trusted zone.

3. I don't know other than simple file sharing so can't help with this. You might try the M$ newgroups where MVPs might help you.
http://support.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.aspx