Want permanent network with XP and Vista

ok, right now my internet network is just fine between my xp desktop and my vista laptop. the trouble is that my file sharing between the both is very sketchy. basically to transfer files between them i'd have to go through the network setup wizard or network id each time to start the connection. the workgroup and every stays the same all the time, but each time i turn off my xp pc the connection closes indefinetly and i have to go thru all that again to open it back up. any help?

 

One day, imma create a hope to be "Sticky" on this topic. I'm guessing u r running XP Pro w/ SP3 on the desktop. Create a shared folder on either comp. and and give it "Share" permissions to the everyone user. Under the "Security" tab add the everyone user and give it modify permissons. You will need to enable file and printer sharing on the network adapter that u r using to connect to the Internet. You will also need to enable file and printer sharing on Windows Firewall if u use it and on ANY firewall program that u may be using. I've attached screen shots for guidance.

 

It seems that all this is been done but the OP looses the settings when he turns the computer off, that's my understanding.

 

Well i've personally never used the Network Setup Wizard to set up file sharing; so i'm guessing doing it the way I suggested above is like doing it manually or something. IDK...but I don't see why it wouldn't stick that way.

 

The way I do share my folder is much simpler (without using the wizard) but it is essentially the same thing as suggested by Makaveli. On the host (server), I set up a shared folder by right clicking on the folder to be shared and then switch to the "sharing" tab. If it is your first time, click the option that enables file sharing in Windows. Now create a exceptions list for your firewall (software) may it be Windows firewall or other third party ones (I use ZoneAlarm). Find out the name of the host computer before moving to the client pc. At the Client, go to my computer click Tools -> Map Network Drive. Enter the path to the shared folder on Server like this:

\\(Computer name of server)\(Name of the Shared Folder)\

-tick reconnect at log on - you can use it to save the setting so you don't have to set it up every time.

If the firewall exceptions are set correctly, you now have a working shared folder.

 

I was wondering if he shared it that way using a Network Map...if so I could understand if it's disappearing if he didn't put in that tick.

 

Another option is to install a NAS on your network. Then create a mapped drive to the NAS on all pcs'. This will also provide a backup medium for all PC's if large enough. NAS are more stable than PC's and most have a builtin FTP server. So you could even set it up for outside access if your away from home. This way you would not be required to have a pc on all the time.

 

Pai may have hit on the crux of the matter - make sure that you've enabled reconnect at log on; if it's not enabled, that may be what's causing the problem.