Networking computers?

Question

I have windows 2000 on our Desktop PC, and Windows Vista on our laptop. Each computer sees each other and even it's files. BUT from our laptop I am unable to OPEN any files from the desktop. We already made sure the files are set to share, (and we do see them) But it tells us it's not accessable.
This problem is opening files from the laptop to the Desktop. We can see and open from desktop to the laptop. So that's not a problem, I used the printer from the laptop, so that works. But opening anything won't work.
Does it make a difference having two different windows? Is that the problem? Or is there another way to make sure the laptop has permission to open and go into other files in the desktop? Again I already made sure each file was set to share. We currently are using a wireless router from AT&T, a 2wire, if that helps.

Thanks, this would be a huge help!

Answer 1

Having 2 versions of Windows is not the problem, it will work fine after you set it up correctly. The issue is with Windows 2000 and the way permissions are set up.



You need to establish an authenticated user on the Win 2000 machine that matches the account you are using on Vista. Go here for step by step. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/301281



Here is the key info:

Sharing a Folder

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.

2. Right-click the appropriate folder (for example, Accounts Receivable), and then click Sharing.

3. In the folder's properties, click Share this folder. Use the default name for the share. Click Permissions.

4. In the Permissions for dialog box, click Add.

5. In the Select Users, Computers, or Groups dialog box, double-click the Authenticated Users group, and then click OK.

6. In the Permissions for dialog box, click the Authenticated Users group.

7. In the Permissions list, for the Full Control permission, click Allow. After you have set the appropriate permissions, click the Everyone group, and then click Remove.



It is not difficult, but Win 2000 can be a real pain when it comes to security. Of course, that is why it is still widely in use in the business community.

Answer 2

Two different versions of winhoes shouldn't nessicelery cause such problems, especially as they are both post-NT. It sounds like it is a permission based problem. Maybe, the folder the files are in is shared, but the children have not inherited the parent directories attibutes properly for some reason.... try setting it using an account with elevated access. ie: Administrator. It could be because the two systems are using slightly different versions of the NTFS filesystem, in which case m$ will have a fix...



If you can see the files there, your settings must be accurate to some degree. It could be that explorer.exe has attempted to access somthing(or one of the scvhost.exe's) - Y'all told firewall no, with a box ticked 'remember this decision...

Answer 3

Installing another copy of Window Vista in your Windows 2000 computer. This will create two operating systems on that computer . Alllowing you to copy files from Windows 2000 into Window Vista or get thoes files within Windows Vista or accessing the drive of Windows 2000 drive in Windows Vista .



What I mean is that you will see in Window Vista the drive of all your Windows 2000 files and programs. Windows Vista will permit you to access them from within.

Answer 4

Microsoft has an entire page or two devoted to Home Network Troubleshooting.



Sometimes it's just a single parameter that keeps things from working.



Check over the link below. Once you are comfortable with it, there are some other links there which referr to printer and file sharing.



On vista, this is the best link.



http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/76174f4a-7522-425a-9424-324dd299265e1033.mspx



Good luck.

Answer 5

Turn off your firewalls until you are done transferring files and then turn the firewalls on again.

That should do it.

Doodad