Member Avatar for WheelDawg

I've seen many threads on issues with sharing between XP and 7, but this adds the wrinkle of needing to share an external drive as well.

The drive is connected to my computer, which can obviously use it just fine, but the XP computers can't even see it's there. Last I checked, the Win7 laptop we have could get into things just fine, but haven't gotten to try it in a while as that computer is off at college with my sister more than it is at home.

Everything seems like it's set up right, file and printer sharing is on, permissions setup for everyone to have access, but when trying to access the drive from the XP machine, it can't be seen in "My Network Places", and when trying to get in via the address bar with

\\COMPUTERNAME

and even

\\COMPUTERNAME\SHAREDFOLDERNAME

, it pops up with a login box, which puzzles me, as there should not be any password required to access the drive. Even so, I tried using the XPs user password as well as my own, neither of which worked. So at this point I'm stumped.

As far as network setup goes, we have a router hooked up to the modem, with the router handling the wireless and wired DHCP (modem is just a bridge), my computer is the only wired machine, all others are wireless.

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Dani AI

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Short diagnosis: because reports the Windows 7 machine can read the external drive but the XP boxes get a credential prompt that rejects passwords, this looks like an authentication/compatibility or sharing-type problem (not a physical/USB issue). Since already checked the protocol side, focus on how the volume is being shared and what Windows 7 expects for credentials.

Practical checklist to resolve the XP access problem:

  • Make the share a legacy SMB share (not a HomeGroup library). Right‑click the folder on the external disk -> Properties -> Sharing -> use Advanced Sharing to create a share, then set Share Permissions to include Everyone.
  • Match NTFS permissions: open the Security tab and grant the same account/group (Everyone or a specific user) the needed rights. Share permissions and NTFS permissions both must permit access.
  • Decide authentication model: either turn off Password Protected Sharing (Network and Sharing Center -> Advanced sharing settings) and enable the Guest/anonymous path (less secure), or create a local user on the Windows 7 host that has the same username and password the XP client will submit, and give that user rights to the share. Creating a matching local account is the safest option for a small home LAN.
  • If XP still fails at logon, temporarily allow File and Printer Sharing through the Win7 firewall (or disable the firewall for a short test) and try connecting by the Win7 machine IP address rather than name (obtain it with ipconfig on the Win7 host). Name resolution or NetBIOS issues can cause the prompt even when sharing is correct.

Extra notes and cautions: avoid relying on HomeGroup for cross‑OS sharing—XP cannot join HomeGroups. Avoid sharing the drive root as an administrative share; share a folder instead. Enabling Guest or turning off password protection reduces security; prefer a local account with a strong password. If the problem persists, review the Windows 7 Security event log for failed logon entries to see the exact failure reason (authentication type or access denied).

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Member Avatar for rch1231

In order to be able to see other windows systems from the XP systems you will need to make sure a protocol is loaded on the XP based system. Go to Control Panel, Network Connections the right click on Local Area Connection and then select properties. When the box comes up look through the list for

NWLink IPX/SPX NetBIOS Compatible Transport.

This protocol is what lets two windows systems see each other and communicate. Windows 7 has this installed by default. If it is not listed click the Install button just below the box and select "Protocol" you should see NWLink IPX/SPX in the list. Select it and click OK. It will take a second to load then OK the first screen and reboot the computer.

Member Avatar for WheelDawg

That is already installed.

Member Avatar for rch1231

Check in windows 7 for a setting under Network and Sharing Center:

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network and Sharing Center\Advanced sharing settings

Under Home or Work there are options for Password Protected Sharing, Network Discovery, Public Folder Sharing, and others that may lead to what you are trying for.

Member Avatar for nothing0829

I also want to know about this, can anyone give us the answer?

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