Sharing files between a Windows XP PC and a Windows 7 PC over a home network

Anonymous
2009-12-17T00:07:02+00:00

I have files on an old PC running Windows XP that I would like to get onto my new PC running Windows 7. I have been trying to access the files over the network the same way that I always had with XP, by making them available over the network through the folder's properties.

I have made the files available for sharing on the XP computer, but can't figure out how to access them from the new Windows 7 PC.

PC with desired files is running Windows XP

PC to retrieve files is running Windows 7

The XP PC is connected wirelessly through a Linksys router

The W7 PC is connected to the same router via Ethernet cord

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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Anonymous
2009-12-20T05:26:10+00:00

Hi All!

This problem occurs if the Link-Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) Responder component is not installed on the Windows XP-based computer.

In order to establish the connection between the windows 7 machine and XP machine, try downloading and installing the Link-Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) hotfix. Check the link mentioned below:

Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) Responder (KB922120)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=4F01A31D-EE46-481E-BA11-37F485FA34EA&displaylang=en

If this doesn't help, can the computer ping each other?

To do this:

  1. Get your computer name (Visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Find-your-computer-name for help getting your computer name). In this example we'll be using Computer1 and Computer2as the computer names.
  2. On Computer1, Click Start, type cmd and press Enter
  3. In the black and white command box, type ping Computer2 and press Enter

You should get something similar to the following:

 Pinging <###.###.###.###> with 32 bytes of data:

   Reply from <###.###.###.###>: bytes=32 time=77ms TTL=28

   Reply from <###.###.###.###>: bytes=32 time=80ms TTL=28

   Reply from <###.###.###.###>: bytes=32 time=78ms TTL=28

   Reply from <###.###.###.###>: bytes=32 time=79ms TTL=28

If you get Request Timed Out, there's a something blocking communication between the computers.

Try those steps out and let me know what works!


Cody C

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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Anonymous
2009-12-18T09:04:31+00:00

Easiest way, make both workgroups the same . windows key + pause under computer. Kill password sharing in windows 7. Right mouse on the LAN in Win7, open network / change advanced. Select turn off password sharing. Make sure turn network discovery and file sharing are on.

Create a folder in XP share it. Tick simple file sharing if its off (my computer / tools / folder options / view). . Create a folder in Win 7 right mouse / properties  / sharing / share. Select everyone up the top, change the bottom to read/write. Saves you mucking around with passwords, or entering ips in to get into the other folder. To make things easier if you want to copy install files etc. Go to start/run in win7, type shell:sendto, right mouse / new shortcut. Go to the networked folder add it. Then it'll appear under the send to context menu. Do the same with XP, except type sendto under start/run. And do the same thing

If you dont have any other Win7 pc's kill homegroup. Computer, highlight homegroup / right mouse / change homegroup settings / leave homegroup

If any firewalls are installed on either (besides windows), configure them

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-05-01T17:44:46+00:00

    Thanks,  your tip for the

    Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) Responder (KB922120) worked and I am able to see the XP computer files from Windows 7 computer.

    Indru

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-04-20T19:07:44+00:00

    Disableing Norton was the key for me. I discovered in Nortons "help" that it stopps all computer to computer links except thise set up in file and print sharing BEFORE Norton is installed. Guess what the first question is when you start a new machine... "do you want to start norton"...

    I restored my computer to factory settings and restarted without norton. Then I could see  the other machine under network (but not connect to it). 2 days later and after trying everything is this forum and more. It finally worked this morning!!!

    Then a windows update, and its all gone again - so back to the drawing board

    GROAN

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-04-16T02:42:42+00:00

    I had the same problem with an almost identical mix of wired and wireless.  Finally noticed that the W-7 was assigned to the Msft generic workgroup 'WORKGROUP' instead of my company name.  Changed WORKGROUP to my company name, rebooted, and my old XP computer came up at the bottom of the map page.

    Previous efforts have occasionally given me access from W-7 to the two XP's and one Vista in my office but it was very erratic, a nuisance since I do a lot of file transfers.  Will be curious to see if this produces reliable across a few days of operation, or if it was just another "one minute wonder" (wonder why it ever worked) which slipped past Msft's built-in pitfalls.

    "Stitches"

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