Cant get Vista OS on my network

Hello,
I have a Compaq Presario A900 laptop with Vista Home Premium and I cant get it to recognize my existing XP network. I have a Linksys wired router with a RCN cable modem. I currently have several connections on a home network, including a shared printer. How do I get my laptop to recognize and be a part of the network? Thanks in advance..

Kevin

 

One item commonly overlooked when setting up a network is to make sure that you set up the Workgroup name to be the same as the the Workgroup name on your network. Start>Right Click on Computer>Properties, verify the Workgroup name and change if necessary.

In case you don't know how to setup a new network item, Start>Network>Network and Sharing Center>Setup a Connection or Network, then follow the wizard prompts.

 

Thanks for the quick reply... The workgroup is the same. I can see this laptop listed on my XP computers but I cant see my XP computers on the laptop list of networked computers. I went to set up the network on this laptop but it asks for isp addresses and such. I have no isea what they are...Any help. I found the ip address on the xp machines...am I on the right track? Thanks for the help...

Kevin

 

I think there is a known issue with trying to connect to XP computers from Vista. Gimme a sec, let me see if I can find this because I know I have had the problem you are describing before.

 

Ok, yeah, I remember the problem now. Vista uses a special Network protocol called Link-Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) to "map" the network items, and then displays this information in the special network map under Network settings. The problem is XP doesn't come with LLTD, so you have to download it onto each of the XP machines in order for Vista to recognize them.

Here's a link that describes it in detail and a place to download the LLTD:
http://www.home-network-help.com/vista-network-map.html

 

thanks mattbieg892...ive tried this before with no luck but i probably did it wrong. I will study the link and try again..Thanks again

Kevin

 

ok I tried again and the update seemed to load correctly. I checked the add/remove programs and it is not there...even after a restart. Any suggestions?

Kevin

 

The LLTD fix in that Article fixes only the graphical view so the map displays correctly (which is nice) but the XP computers, if all is configured correctly, will still show up on the Network as either a list or icons without the LLTD fix applied.

The problem you are having is that the Vista machine cannot see the XP machines.

"I went to set up the network on this laptop but it asks for isp addresses and such. I have no isea what they are...Any help. I found the ip address on the xp machines...am I on the right track?"

No, that is not where your problem is.

First, Try shutting down the Firewall / Internet Security / Anti-Virus programs on your PC’s. Start with your Vista PC and if that doesn’t work, also the XP Machine. Post your results.

Edit:
also, Go into your Control Panel>Network and Sharing Center>Manage Network Connections and double click on your wireless connection and select properties. Your Wireless Connection Network Properties should look the same as in the attachment. Except for the Kaspersky Anti-Virus entry.

 

Thanks DEEASTMAN..after a while or playing I was able to turn off my norton firewall (which was already out of subscription) and I was able to locate my network and get the printer set up. Should I keep my windows firewall off? I enabled it and still located the computers but it seems slow getting into some other computer files. Thanks again for the helpful suggestions.

Kevin.

I do not plan on renewing my trial period of Norton...Should I delete it or let it be? I have a corporate version of norton that I used on my xp machines...will this version work with Vista

 

I am very glad turning off Norton solved your problem. This indicates that your only problem was in AV configuration. Network problems can be a nightmare to resolve.

Turn your Windows Firewall ON if you are going to be accessing the internet. You can turn if OFF again once you have another AV or Internet Security program installed. You should only have ONE firewall turned on at a time.

You definitely should uninstall Norton since you will no longer be using it, especially so if you are planning to install another version. Norton slows down any computer I have had it running on. To fully uninstall Norton go to Symantec’s web site and download the “Norton Removal Tool” for your version HERE. After you have uninstalled Norton the conventional way through the Control Panel “Program and Features” run the Norton Removal Tool.

As to whether your Corporate Version of Norton is compatable with Vista, you should look up the version you have on Symantec’s web site and see what OS it is compatable with. If you do install it and cannot see your XP computers there is within one of the options a box to check to allow access to your network. I can’t remember what it is called at the moment.

 

Thanks for the help...it is greatly appreciated. I have successfully deleted norton with the help of the removal tool. Thanks again,,

Kevin