[seberle]

I recently posted (and solved - thanks!) a problem trying to see my XP Home laptop from my Vista desktop. But I had to return that desktop and bought a new one which, though the OS and firewalls are identical, is behaving a bit differently and showing similar problems that the former solution does not solve. So I start again:

My XP laptop is connected wirelessly to my router, which is cabled to my Vista desktop. The setup was working before I changed desktops. The XP laptop can access the Vista desktop effortlessly at all times. The Vista can see the XP, but either asks for a User Name and Password or gives Error Code 0x800004005 (Windows cannot access ...), apparently according to its mood.

I have identical User Names and Passwords on both computers, but they do not work when User Name and Password are required. Nor does leaving the password blank. Why is it calling my laptop a "server"?

I have checked the following:
Both computers are in the same WORKGROUP.
Running Network diagnostics on the Vista turns up no problem.
The XP is using SP3 and does not need the LLTD download.
I have rerun network setup on the XP computer (as some suggest).
File and Printer sharing is on. Folders are shared.
Norton and McAfee have correct settings (and the problem continues even when they are disabled).
The Vista desktop is set to:
- Private Network
- Network discovery On
- File sharing On
- Public folder sharing On (I've tried Off also)
- Printer sharing On
- Password protected sharing Off (I've tried On also)
- Media sharing Off
I cannot access the XP from the Vista even by typing \\ComputerName\SharedFolder
The Vista can see and ping the XP laptop. It just can't access it, or insists on a User Name and Password.
When I put the only User Name and Password I have (same for both machines), Vista says they are wrong.
For the last couple of hours I am getting only error messages, even when I connect the XP laptop by network cable to the router.

I have read countless help pages and forum posts and nothing I have found helps. Any ideas? I would greatly appreciate it.