OK, here's what I've done, and the order in which I have done it.
1) Created a new folder on the PC, containing one simple Word file. I can now access the folder, and can see the file name (which I couldn't before), but still cannot access the file contents. The error message suggested trying Diagnose, which brings up "[PC name] is not set up to establish a connection on Port 'File and Printer sharing (SMB)' on this computer".
2)Created the same username and password on both computers. The same error message with an old shared folder, and with the newly-created one the same inability to access the file contents, but this time Diagnose offers "Windows did not find any problems with this computer".
3)Tried removing and resetting the sharing option with different name as recommended by oldfogy, but same negative result.
4)My Workgroup name is different from MSHOME, but sorry, I can't understand the path detailed by oldfogy to open it.

Is this is the end of the road? Unless the new error message referring to Port 'File and Printer sharing(SMB)' is worth exploring? I've tried googling that, but can find reference to it only in Vista, not XP, and nothing that seems relevant.

>> My Workgroup name is different from MSHOME,
The group name does not matter "providing all the PC's have the same group name"

>> I can't understand the path detailed by oldfogy to open it.
When you open "My Computer" (explorer) at the bottom of the drive/folder list on the left-hand side should be "My Network Places" when you open all of the sub-folders you will or at least should come to your workgroup along with a list of the folders you are sharing.

>> Unless the new error message referring to Port 'File and Printer sharing
File and printer sharing must be enabled and is one of the options when you select the folder to share.

Have you also tried as I suggested earlier putting the XP/Vista disc in, then when it boots-up select the option to "Perform additional tasks" followed by "Set-up a a Home or Small Office network"

>> Is this is the end of the road?
No. (well not yet that is)

I seem to have sent my previous post twice - sorry. [duplicate deleted - Mike]

- Both computers have the same name.
- Just me being thick. All the shared folders on the PC are shown and will open (on the PC but not on the laptop).
- Both boxes are ticked in the Network Sharing and Security area, but on my XP computer this does not specifically include printer sharing.
- "Set-up a Home or Small office network" is already installed, and I used it when initially setting up the network.

In fact all the basic things have been checked several times over, and it was only when my IT-professional son confessed to being stumped that I came on the forum to see if anyone else had come across this very specific (but infuriating) problem.

Like I said before, if the problem was the other way around I could understand it because of lack of a password.
But this I just don't understand.

I think my only remaining advise now would be to "start all over" from scratch.

Start with the XP PC:
1. Remove all the shared options from any folders etc.
2. Re-run the Network sharing option from the disc, paying careful attention to what you select etc.
3. Select a existing folder to share.

4. Open the Vista PC and if necessary follow the same route as above.

I honestly think that it's possibly just something simple that has been overlooked from the initial setup. (possibly not selecting the "File and Printer" sharing option at stage 8 ) from the disc setup.
So don't take it for granted that everything "was" setup properly the first time.
Also check AV settings, although I doubt that is the problem.
Not forgetting the router, but again I don't think that's problem if you can see the folders.

Although no-doubt good advice earlier, but I do not see the point in going through the CMD routine to find your IP address etc.

Mike
Very careless of me - I meant WORKGROUP, not Computer name.

- All four services you list are already "Started" and set to "Advanced".
- In Local Area Connection 4 - Properties - Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - Advanced there is no tab for WINS. There is only one tab, Windows Firewall, which as I have mentioned is disabled. I have tried temporarily enabling it to see if this produces a WINS tab, but no joy. I don't want to tamper with any other settings without knowing what I am doing.

If all else fails, we could try using IPX/SPX protocol instead of TCP/IP. This doesn't require any configuration like TCP/IP and, as it isn't an internet-compatible protocol, it isn't affected by firewalls. It is though a bit more complicated to install in Vista than it is in XP and obviously both PCs would have to use it.

Mike
Sorry - I missed a step out. Trying to do things too quickly. Anyway I've got it right now, and the NetBIOS setting is "Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP".

Unfortunately it doesn't solve the problem. From the laptop I can see a file in the shared folder on the PC and try to open it. The computer tries to load WORD, but then hangs for a while, comes up with an error message and finally after going through Diagnose I get the error message "Windows found a problem that cannot be repaired automatically".

I noticed on your screengrab that you had selected the IP address and Subnet manually. Mine is set to automatic, so the boxes are blank. Would there be any point in my setting them manually?

Mike.
No disrespect intended as I know you are a very knowledgable person, but I just don't see the point of all this "NetBios, TCP/IP" talk.

If this just to get the AV/Firewall to recognise it?
If yes, then what happens if the AV is simply turned off?

Disconnect the internet connection (just to be safe)
Turn off AV & Firewall and see what happens, is the "File Sharing" still being blocked?

Derek,

Silly question but, in the Properties of the "Local Area Connection" in the XP PC, I assume that you do have both of these boxes ticked?

• Client for Microsoft Networks
  
• File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks

Mike
Yes, on my computer all four boxes are ticked. That is the two you list plus QoS Packet Scheduler and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Would you expect the last one to be ticked since I changed the NetBIOS setting on the WINS tab, as you suggested earlier? Should I try unticking that box?
Derek

Mike
We are making a little progress. I copied my TEST folder to a USB Flash drive on the PC (changing the name to avoid confusion with the original) and made certain it was shared. From the laptop I opened the renamed folder and clicked on the test file. This time I could open Word 2003 (which I have never been able to do before), but still cannot access the file itself. The error message was that Word had stopped working and Windows would look for a solution. Diagnose came up with the message "Windows cannot connect to the server [PC name]". The whole process was very slow - several minutes.
Derek