Vista Bus. & XP Home Networking Nightmare!!!

PLEASE HELP!!! Here is my situation.

I want to setup a wireless network between my xp home desktop and vista business laptop, so that I can use file sharing. These are my current settings:

XP Home Desktop:
Connected to Router WRT54G router via cat5 (which is connected to internet).
Windows firewall is disabled.
Used to be able to connect to old laptop with XP Pro no problem.
Workgroup name: EDC
Computer name: EDC1

Vista Bus Laptop
Connected to Router WRT54G wireless
Windows firewall is disabled.
NO NORTON/software firewall installed
In the "network and sharing center" i have the following:
file sharing = on
Public folder sharing = on
printer sharing = on
password protected sharing = off
media sharing = off
Workgroup name: EDC
Computer name: jvenner

Using the vista machine, I can actually connect to printers which are connected to the xp machine; and print no problem from vista.

From the XP machine, "my network places, does NOT show any signs of the vista machine

From the vista machine, I can see the XP machine "EDC1" but I cannot open it. I get the error "\\edc1 is not accessible. you might not have permission to use this network resource.... bla bla bla"

Any help on how can I properly setup a network with file sharing between these 2 machines is greatly appreciated!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

 

Are you using the same login name on both pc's. If you are not prompted to user your pc's you will not login to any network services. XP uses the user name on the login screen. If you have a user id on the vista being the same (and PW) simplifies the process. On Vista Turn off IP6 on the port settings. Then ping by using IP and see if you can hit the other.

I do not recommend running with out a personal FW. For this exercise disconnect from the modem and you will be safe. You will get a message that you have limited connectivity. This is because Mother MS can not call home. Ignor your local will still work. Once going activate the FW and add a FW rule for your home network.

 

Yeah, but they are behind the SPI on the router so it should be reasonably safe without a personal O/S firewall. But I think blue68f100 is right -- to be safe unplug modem.