Help! Connecting 64bit Vista to 32bit XP

[PythonArms]

Hello, I need some help.

I am trying to connect two computers directly, using a crossover cable, to share files and external hard drives between the two.

First Computer: Dell Latitude M6300 Laptop running Windows XP 32bit.
Second Computer: Dell Presicion 690 Tower running Windows Vista 64bit.

Current Steps taken:
1. Both computers are a part of the same workgroup.
2. I have installed LLTD (Layer Topology Discovery Responder) on the XP Laptop
3. I have run the Set Up Home Network Wizard on XP Laptop
4. The Vista settings are:
- Private Network
- File Sharing = On
- Public Folder Sharing = On
- Printer Sharing = On
- Media Sharing = On
5. Change Vista IP address to 192.168.1.3 (XP IP is 192.168.1.2)
6. I am able to Ping both directions

Result: I am still unable to see either computer.

If you need more information please let me know and I will post what you need. Thank you for your help.

 

[CrossCech]

Give this a read: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/da25b51f-8c3d-e025-74aa-1fa3f29f6cdd1033.mspx

An interesting note ** It mentions that newer NIC's can automatically detect the need to crossover when it detects you're directly connected to another computer's NIC using a straight through ethernet cable. Assuming your XP is a few years old and it's NIC doesnt do that, it requires the crossover cable. However, your Vista may autodetect and doesn't require a crossover cable. This may be causing a conflict with the redundacy of crossover at the Vista end. I don't know if there is a setting to turn off the autodetect function in Vista, but it might be worth looking into.

 

[berry120]

From a practical perspective, I haven't seen the need to do this in years - back when even hubs cost an arm and a leg, it was a viable (and sensible) option.

But you can pick up small switches for peanuts these days, especially if you grab one second hand (though personally they're so cheap new I wouldn't bother!) - have you considered going down this route?

 

[CrossCech]

.... or even a router?

I get what he's trying to do. I'm considering it within my network. I'd like to link 2 HTPC's for streaming media i.e dvd's and high def mkv files from my family room (which has all the media) to my office. I don't have a gigabit network, but my HTPC's have gigabit NIC's and also wireless cards for internet access. I'd like to utilize the gigabit NIC's to stream directly from HTPC to HTPC. So I could see the logic of his plan in some cases.

 

[PythonArms]

From a practical perspective, I haven't seen the need to do this in years - back when even hubs cost an arm and a leg, it was a viable (and sensible) option.

But you can pick up small switches for peanuts these days, especially if you grab one second hand (though personally they're so cheap new I wouldn't bother!) - have you considered going down this route?

I wish I could handle it the way "normal" techs would...but these are Army computers and they told me to "make it work" and refuse to buy "uneeded accesories"...sigh...So, following orders, I am attempting to make these computers talk to each other with just a crossover cable. I really do appreciate the advice. I'm sure it would work a lot better than this way.

 

[berry120]

.... or even a router?

He could, but if he's just transferring files from one PC to another a router is unnecessary.

Even gigabit switches these days are pretty cheap though - no, they're not included on most home routers but go for a straightforward switch and you should be able to pick one up for around £15 without an issue.

EDIT: Ah, that is a pretty specialised case, fair enough! What happens when you type in \\computer_name into the other computer? Do you just get a "not found" style error message, the same as if you'd type \\nonsense, or is it different (such as a permissions error?)

 

[PythonArms]

What happens when you type in \\computer_name into the other computer?

This is the error I get:

"\\192.168.1.3 is not accesible. You might not have permission to use the network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. The account is not authorized to log in from this station."

 

[berry120]

Have you tried enabling the guest account on both machines? Or have you tried specifying a username and password explicitly that's valid on the machine you're trying to connect to? I'm not sure about Vista, but from memory on XP, if you go to start => run => control userpasswords2, then hit the other tab (not the one that's selected by default) there should be an option for specifying a username and password for individual servers. If you hit 192.168.1.3 into the servername box, then enter a username and password that's valid on 192.168.1.3, it should let you in... should.

EDIT: Offside, but don't you hate those messages telling you to contact the administrator? I AM THE DAMN ADMINISTRATOR!!!

 

[PythonArms]

EDIT: Offside, but don't you hate those messages telling you to contact the administrator? I AM THE DAMN ADMINISTRATOR!!!

Ha Ha Ha I know EXACTLY what you mean

I'm trying your suggestion now 1341 21AUG09

"control userpasswords2" takes me to the "User Accounts" window. The "other" tab is the Advanced tab. The "Advanced User Management" takes me to the "Local Users and Groups" window. I don't see an option for Server usernames and passwords. Is this what you had in mind or did I botch this all up?

 

[berry120]

Not advanced user management - I'm talking about the "Manage passwords" button which will then let you add authentication details for individual servers.

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