Networking between XP, W7 and W8.1

Hello,

I have a wireless network running through a router.

My new computer is running windows 8.1

The other computers are 1 running windows 7, and 3 running windows XP.

All computers can access the internet through the network.

On the W8.1 computer, I have protected share password turned off and file sharing turned on.

The W8.1 computer can see all the others and can access files.

All the other computers can "see" the W8.1 computer.

One XP computer can access the W8.1 files without a problem.

The other 2 XP's and W7 computers can't access the W8.1 computer..."Access Denied"

I've tried a different workgroup name, changing the login password to the W8.1 computer and various other things.

Anyone have any ideas?

is your network router a dual band type?

On my router, if I don't have the seamless DHCP option turned on for the 2.4 and 5 ghz networks, the other machines on my network will "see" my server pc, but they will not be able to remote desktop into them or share the files that are locally stored.

Try turning on the remote desktop on your windows 8 machine and look to see if the windows XP machines can connect to them.

To turn it on on the windows 8 pc:

1. Press Windows start button
2. start typing "allow remote" and it should come up in a control panel window.


click allow remote connections from PCs without certificate.


If it connects, tell me and I can help you further.

Maybe this tutorial will help. It is very challenging to get a mixture of Windows to network properly especially if XP is in the mix.

Sharing files and printers with different versions of Windows - Windows Help

There is also EZLAN.NET

Personally I would do a Ping test or Trace Route from Cmd. Remote Desktop takes too long to do. Especially if the computers are not all in front of you.

Also make sure that Firewalls on all machines are turned off. If on WiFi, connected on same Access Point. If mixed wired & wireless. Wired computers on same switch, same router that the Access point uses.

Also change security in advanced in Network, to 56. along with shutdown Home Group by leaving it on all machines. Workgroup is actually named "Workgroup"