File Sharing between vista and XP

Hi, I have a custom built desktop machine running XP SP2 connected to this machine is my printer, wireless router and cable modem. I just bought a new laptop with vista home premium and there is another XP laptop on the network... both of these are connected wirelessly.

with XP firewall running:

Vista can see all the machines on the network but when I try to access the XP desktop's shared folders it says it cant access the machine, check the spelling of the name and make sure its connected. I can however access the XP laptop's shared folders and I can also get access to the vista laptop from both the XP machines. Vista machine cant see the printer either.

XP laptop cant access the desktop shared folders or printer either.


Without XP firewall running:

everything is tickety boo!! music and photo shared folders can be accessed from all machines by all machines.

This makes me think its the desktop firewall settings but I cant for the life of me find where its wrong or what I need to be changing.... firewall settings have exceptions for file and printer sharing allowed.

I guess the obvious solution is just to turn the xp firewall off but im not sure how good the router firewall is on its own - its a belkin wireless pre N router.

ANY help or assistance would be greatly appreciated as my head hurts trying to figure it out!

 

Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings, http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is allowed to be shared.

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/evaluate/vista_fp.mspx

Basic XP - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/filesharing.mspx

Advanced XP - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120