Windows 7 ask's "enter network password" when accessing Window XP Machine

I had the same problem with my new Windows 7 laptop computer, which demanded a password, every time I tried to access shared files and folders on networked Win XP computers.  However, it would not accept any password that I entered.

All of the network computers were in the same Workgroup - and I had the same User Identity on all computers.  My User Identity is password protected on one of the Win XP computers.  However, I have never set a login password on the other Win XP computer.  My home network also includes a NAS network drive and two network printers. 

Although I tried everything suggested on this and other forums, the Windows 7 computer never allowed me to access shared files on the NAS drive or on the Windows XP computers.  Furthermore, I could not connect to either of the network printers.  There was no obvious reason for the problem.

Then, I switched to a different ISP.  My old ADSL modem and wireless router had been configured for the previous ISP, so I took the opportunity to upgrade my router from an old Huawei model (802.11b/g only) to a TP-Link router, which supports the 802.11n wireless protocol.

To my surprise, the new router resolved the networking problems immediately - and the Windows 7 computer no longer asks for a network password.

I compared all of the settings on the old and new routers - and could not find any significant differences.  The fact remains that a change of hardware has resolved the problems completely.

""Finally I notices the 2 PCs running Windows 2000 that had the 'wrong' time on them were working (the time was 1 hour behind the Windows 7 PC).  The PC running Windows 2000 that DID NOT WORK had the time that matched the time on the Windows 7 PC.  I reset the PC (Windows 2000) to 1 hour behind the Windows 7 PC and now it connectes. ""

That's the real solution. Thanks

I had a similar problem with my home network, which included:

Huawei HG520b ADSL wireless router

NAS network storage drive (wired connection to the router)

Medion tower computer with Win XP (SP3) Home edition (wired connection to the router)

HP laptop computer with Win XP (SP3) Professional (wireless connection to the router).

Networking had worked perfectly for several years between the Win XP computers - and also to the SMB server on the NAS network drive.

Very recently, I purchased a Samsung laptop computer with Win 7 (SP1) 64-bit Professional.  I attempted to add the Samsung laptop to the network and discovered that I could access shared files on the Samsung computer from the XP computers

• but not vice versa.  The Win 7 computer asked repeatedly for a Network Password, every time I attempted to access files on NAS drive or on the Win XP machines.

I tried everything mentioned in the previous posts including:

a.  Turned on Network Discovery on the Win 7 computer

b.  Turned on file and printer sharing on all computers

c.  Turned on public folder sharing on the Win 7 computer

d.  Turned off password protected sharing on the Win 7 computer

e.   Disabled local account use of blank passwords to console login only (in local security policy/accounts)

f.    Set Sharing and security model for local accounts as classic (in local security policy/Network access)

g.   Synchronised that the system time and date on all machines

h.   Ran the networking wizard on the Win XP machines (again)

None of the previous posts has mentioned KB922120, which includes an important Hotfix.  The Hotfix enables Vista (and Win 7) computers to "discover" a Win XP machine.  See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120?wa=wsignin1.0. 

I installed the Hotfix on both of my Win XP machines.  This did enable the Win 7 computer to "discover" the Win XP machines - and included them in the network map.

Unfortunately, none of these steps provided a complete solution to the networking problem - and I never managed to access shared files on the HP Laptop or the NAS network drive - from the Win 7 computer. 

Eventually, I devised the following tortuous "workaround" on the Win 7 computer, which did allow me to access shared files on the Medion tower computer:

1.  Re-boot the Win 7 computer

2.  Disable Network Discovery on the Win 7 computer

3.  Enable Network Discovery on the Win 7 computer

4.  Open Windows Explorer, select "Network" in the list of folders, and click on View / Refresh

However, this was not a satisfactory solution.

As a last resort, I replaced the Huawei router with a TP-Link TD-W8961ND ADSL wireless router - and discovered to my amazement that networking works perfectly with the new router.  I cannot offer any a logical explanation, because I copied all of the network and firewall settings from the Huawei router to the TP-Link device.  Consequently, I would have expected the routers to operate in a similar manner.  Maybe, there are significant differences in the firmware.

However, a Google search shows that many people have experienced similar problems, with very few documented solutions.  For anyone who has been unable to establish networking between Win 7 and Win XP machines, it might  be worth experimenting with a different router.  (That is in addition to the installation of Hotfix KB922120 and the steps (a - h) mentioned above.)

This worked for my Windows8 PC as well.