Hi
Ethernet is the same and does not change with the OS.
Any Windows client that is connected to a switch and have an active Network
card can connect to another computer Windows OS provided that the Fie
sharing of each computer is configured correctly.
This page might have some info about Win98 and Win2000,
http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
Otherwise,
Win 7 when configured on peer-to-peer Network has three types of Sharing
configurations.
Home Network = Works only between Win 7 computers. This type of
configuration makes it very easy to Entry Level Users to start Network
sharing.
Work Network = Basically similar to the previous methods of sharing that let
you control what, how, and to whom folders would be shared with.
Public Sharing = Public Network (like Internet cafe) to reduce security
risks.
The Work Network is the one that most of us are going (and need) to use.
Win7 Work Network's Sharing settings are in principle similar to Vista's
configuration, some menus locations in Win 7 might be in different place,
and look a little different, but it should not be a problem to adapt.
Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local
traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should
be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers
on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party
Firewall instructions.
General example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trusted
Win 7 -
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...ons-of-Windows
Win7 Work Network with a little visual help),
,http://www.onecomputerguy.com/window...s7_sharing.htm
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb727037.aspx
Windows XP File Sharing -
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...utt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista (Not need for XP-SP3) -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
When finished with the setting of the system it is advisable to Reboot all
the hardware including Router and all computers involved.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking).


"FUBARinSFO" wrote in message
...
Hi:

Having spent an inordinate amount of time over the years, and most
recently in the past two days, trying to understand and diagnose
connectivity issues in a mixed LAN workgroup with XP, Win2000, Win2003
Server, Windows 98, etc workstations, in which the general advice is
to "check permissions" or "refer to your network administrator", my
questions a

Is there a document and software floating around somewhere that
describes the steps to diagnose shared drive connectivity issues in a
mixed workgroup environment?

In particular, is there a) a standard to set the workgroup
workstations to a known base-line condition, b) a tutorial walking
through all the lower to higher level connections, such as using net
view, net use etc to explore permissions a the lowest level, then
moving up to the Windows level, and c) is there software that will do
this analysis for you as opposed to having to do it manually?.

Thank you in advance for your help.

-- Roy Zider