File sharing on Vista Business

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I have a problem adding a Vista Business SP1 laptop to a fully functioning network. All internet functions work, and it can see a Vista Home Premium PC, but it cannot see any other devices or printers.

The basic network (that works) consists of 2 WXP SP3 PCs, a Vista Home Premium SP2 laptop, a Netgear ReadyNAS with a printer all connected through a BIllion 7300N router. File and printer sharing all work fine.

I added the Vista Business laptop, which can see the other Vista laptop but not the other PCs nor the printer. All internet activities work fine. It can see the NAS as a storage device, and access its control panel in a browser, but not its file system in Windows Explorer nor its printer. Attached is a screenshot of the Network applet from the offender (Michael…) – in the other Vista PC (Desdemona) the NAS drive also shows as a PC as well as storage.

I have checked the workgroup names are the same, and that file and printer sharing and Netrwork discovery are both on. I have run the Network Diagnostics applet, which reports the network is fine.

Any ideas, anyone?

Chris B

Chris
Win 10 Pro x64 Group A

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I suspect the answer to this problem may lie in Fred Langa’s article in Windows Secrets (paid edition) of 11 March 2010:

“More on Win7-NAS networking problems

Charles Ojserkis also wrote a follow-up note, but on a different issue:
 “Just wanted to comment on the ‘Solving Windows 7 Networking Problems’ item in the Feb. 25 issue.

“I had the same problem with two older NAS (network attached storage) units on my LAN when I went from XP to Vista. They were older (like 1999) Linux-based Iomega devices.

“There was a problem with the method of encryption used by the new OS to communicate with the network shares. As I recall, I had to go into the OS and reduce the type of encryption/handshaking used by the new OS. Once I made the change, I was able to create the share. Prior to the change, the share could not be created. Hope this helps.”
Thanks, Charles. Yes, it’s confirmation of one of the items I suspected and described this way: “But HomeGroup — and related elements of Win7’s networking, such as 128-bit encryption for shared files — introduces new and added complexity into your local networking mix.”

To change Win7’s network-share encryption levels, go into the Network and Sharing Center and do the following:
 Open Control Panel (default view), click Network and Internet, then click Network and Sharing Center.
 In the Network and Sharing Center’s left-hand pane, select Change advanced sharing settings.
 Select the appropriate type of networking profile: Home or work or Public (LANs are likely to be the former); then scroll down to File Sharing Connections and make your selection. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. In the Network and Sharing Center’s advanced settings, you can change the encryption level for Win7 network shares.

If 128-bit encryption is selected, try the 40- or 56-bit option. Win7 should now communicate with older and non-Win7 devices.”

However, for the life of me I cannot find the equivalent of the Change Advanced Sharing Settings in Vista – although Charles Ojserkis clearly could. Has anyone any idea where it might be?

Chris B

Chris
Win 10 Pro x64 Group A

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