Vista/XP networking problems

[purplelemon]

Hi, I'm having a network problem I'm hoping I can resolve (and a few questions.)

Currently I have a desktop with XP Pro on it. I just purchased a laptop with Vista, and wanted to network it with the desktop. For some reason, the desktop can locate and access the laptop, but the laptop cannot locate or even see the desktop. They're both in the same work group and network, and all the sharing permissions are turned on, as far as I can tell.

Right now, we have Comcast broadband internet. The internet connects to a Linksys router downstairs. My friend's computer (XP) is the primary one, which I don't want in the network, and is wired directly into the Linksys. Up on my end, the Linksys is connected to a Buffalo wireless router, and then the Buffalo is wired into my desktop (XP) computer.
The laptop (Vista) is wireless off the Buffalo router.

What I can't figure out is why the desktop can see the laptop and access it just fine, but the laptop can't see the desktop.
Is it due to using so many routers? Though it makes no sense to me, if one computer can see the other. I tried playing with settings and even rerunning the Network wizard to make sure it was in the right workgroup.
Maybe there's a setting I don't know about?
Can anyone help me with this? It woudl be so much easier to transfer files and such with a network!

I also had a question about sharing the printer connected directly to my desktop. Providing I can get get both computers up and running on the network, and accessible, is there a way to set up the laptop so that it can print through the network?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[joedeene]

here u go bud, take a look at this link. and xp and vista are not very well networked together yet easily but are capable

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/net.../vista_fp.mspx


and just take a look at this forum with someone with a similar problem

Link removed per posting guidelines

read thoroughly through that forum as there are many external links with answers to your question

[purplelemon]

Hmm, well, I managed to get the XP computer to show up on the Vista Network Map, but I can't click on it, it's just a picture - when I hover my mouse over it, it displays the IPv4 address and MAC address.

I double checked the XP computer. everything is enabled and it can still see/access the Vista laptop. The workgroup names are the same, and the firewall is set to allow file and printer sharing. The Shared Documents folder is enabled.

For some reason the Network map on Vista shows the Vista laptop, the Buffalo wireless router, and the Internet as all connected, but then coming off the Buffalo router is an anonymous "Switch" with no more info on it, and then from the switch not connected to anything else, my XP computer. I don't understand that, since I don't have any other routers or switches between the computer and the router. Would that affect the Vista computer's ability to access the XP computer?
I really don't understand why it only goes one way . It seems logical that something is wrong with the XP computer or its network settings, but I can't find anything else to change!