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I haven’t used Vista, but based on W2000, XP, etc, you need to enable File-Sharing, and probably need to make all the computers belong to the same workgroup.

You are trying to use Microsoft Networks which is really buggy. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I recommend something like Network Magic from. Put it on each computer.

i use a wireless router with wireless cards. once all the computers are connected you can share files through my network. works great for me.

Vista is different, has more firewall. Lots more firewall.

The basics is this, make sure all the computers have a IP address from the router/switch. 192.168.1.x Make sure al the computers can surf the internet. Go to a web page. makes no difference if a laptop or a desktop.

Then and only then make all computers part of the same windows work group. I Choose a 6 letter name for mine “HACK12″ upper or lower case is same. That part will be hard enough on the vista machines. Then share a folder on each machine, say the documents folder. By now the Vista UAC will pop up and block you, and tell you that you need to grant access to this and that software and program. You are changing the firewall.

I won’t say that Vista is better or worse than Win XP , but its just different. Same stuff but in different location.

I use XP myself.

Here is a secrete; the versions of Vista and XP for home have a limit on the number of network computers. 5, and no more than 5 computers can be Networked with Windows XP home edition. Vista is the same way. If you have more than 5 computers, you can network all, it won’t let you. 5 is limit.

Vista UAC will require everyone to have a user name and password. Win XP does not. The shares will be access by UID and Password. ” Will Be”!

The first 2 or 3 will be very hard, but after that you will wonder what all the fuss is about.

Share a Folder, workgroup name and adjust the firewall. 123.

Good luck