Brand new laptop, so brand new to Vista. Three questions.

Hi folks,

I'm not new to computers or Windows OS's at all. Vista, though, is new to
me. I just bought a new laptop (Toshiba Satellite P205D-S7454), and it has
Vista Home Premium 32 bit preinstalled.
In my first hour of running it, I managed to delete my entire desktop.
Rebooting, it was still gone. So for the first time ever, I cracked the
seal on my own recovery disks. Two hours later, I make sure I don't mess
with unhiding system files anymore :-)
Ok, so Vista is pretty cool. It's also quite a bit different than any other
Windows version. So far, all my software I need installed is working just
fine. Vista hasn't complained about any of it, including all my 3D apps.

Three questions:

1. Windows Explorer, or, just Explorer in Vista. I'd like to have it
open to the same size, position, and with the same folder shown open using a
specific shortcut. With 98SE and XP, this was very easy. In XP I simply
use:

Target location: %SystemRoot%
target: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,C:\
Start in: %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%

And the XP Explorer remembers its size and location, and opens with C:\ open
in the folder pane.

In Vista, this [ C:\Windows\explorer.exe /e,C:\ ] gets Explorer open and C:\
is open. But the size is always too small. How do I get it to open to the
size I want every time from that shortcut? Maybe I'm not running Explorer
from the right place, or the right way?

2. How do I get Explorer to NOT show "Favorite Links" at the top of the
folder pane? If I can't remove it, then at least get it at the bottom of
the folder pane.

3. Private network, File and Folder sharing. From the laptop/Vista, I
have no trouble accessing my desktop running XP Pro x64 and using the
folders I've shared from there. From the XP x64 machine, I can see this
laptop, see the folders I've 'shared' but am not able to open them at all.
I see there is a "Public" folder that opens into several folders, 'Public
Downloads' for instance. Those I can access. But I prefer to be able to
access "C:\ARCS\DOWNLOADS" directly, for instance. While I can see
"C:\ARCS", I can't open it. 'Access denied....'
What do I need to do to access that folder from my desktop?
I'm using a DLink DI-524 4 port switch with Wireless G (802.11b/g), the
desktop is wired (10/100mbit) and the laptop is Wireless (54mbit max). The
networking seems fine. I seem to have missed a setting in Vista for the
shares.

Other than these two little things, I think I've figured out how to
(safely!) get around in Vista now. The Aero interface is neat, Vista runs
quite well, seems very responsive and the system is quick. I'm just
guessing, but since Vista hasn't stopped me, all the software I've installed
thus far is 'compatible'.
Having a nice bright 17" Widescreen WXGA display for it is very nice.

Thanks in advance!
McG.

3.

There are two parts to sharing/using files within Vista.
Sharing - this allows various files/directories to be seen across the
network.
Access - this allow users to access/view/change files and directories that
are being shared.

Just because a directory is being shared does not mean that a specific user
can access files within that directory.

There are two basic ways to get a directory shared, right click on the
directory
There is a entry for 'sharing' use this to get the simplest sharing setup.
Otherwise select properties and the sharing tab, advanced sharing. This
allows much finer control and many more ways to screw up permissions so that
you machine is unusable!

Before messing with permission/sharing I recommend that your do a system
snapshot so that you can do a system restore if necessary.

If you haven't already noticed, Vista/XP happiness on sharing depends a
great deal on having identical accounts on both machines. If your logon
account and password on both machines is the same things just go much
smoother.

Simple steps to get your share going.
Right click on c:\arcs\download
select sharing
select from the expandable list if you want more than the owner of the
directory (yourself). Note that the 'public' shares include 'everyone' in
the list.
click on share, will take a while to set everything up correctly. You are
very unlikely to mess up your system using this way.

You say you can see c:\arcs, so perhaps you have already gotten to the steps
above, so sorry about the redundancy.
If so right click on c:\arcs and check the sharing.

As far as seeing the share but not seeing the content, check the security
settings (properties/security tab) to make sure that the account from the XP
has permissions to view/change the items.

Michael

"McG." <McGrandpaNOT@NOThotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ecv0mkjGIHA.4496@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Hi folks,
>
> I'm not new to computers or Windows OS's at all. Vista, though, is new to
> me. I just bought a new laptop (Toshiba Satellite P205D-S7454), and it
> has Vista Home Premium 32 bit preinstalled.
> In my first hour of running it, I managed to delete my entire desktop.
> Rebooting, it was still gone. So for the first time ever, I cracked the
> seal on my own recovery disks. Two hours later, I make sure I don't mess
> with unhiding system files anymore :-)
> Ok, so Vista is pretty cool. It's also quite a bit different than any
> other Windows version. So far, all my software I need installed is
> working just fine. Vista hasn't complained about any of it, including all
> my 3D apps.
>
> Three questions:
>
> 1. Windows Explorer, or, just Explorer in Vista. I'd like to have it
> open to the same size, position, and with the same folder shown open using
> a specific shortcut. With 98SE and XP, this was very easy. In XP I
> simply use:
>
> Target location: %SystemRoot%
> target: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,C:\
> Start in: %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>
> And the XP Explorer remembers its size and location, and opens with C:\
> open in the folder pane.
>
> In Vista, this [ C:\Windows\explorer.exe /e,C:\ ] gets Explorer open and
> C:\ is open. But the size is always too small. How do I get it to open
> to the size I want every time from that shortcut? Maybe I'm not running
> Explorer from the right place, or the right way?
>
> 2. How do I get Explorer to NOT show "Favorite Links" at the top of the
> folder pane? If I can't remove it, then at least get it at the bottom of
> the folder pane.
>
> 3. Private network, File and Folder sharing. From the laptop/Vista, I
> have no trouble accessing my desktop running XP Pro x64 and using the
> folders I've shared from there. From the XP x64 machine, I can see this
> laptop, see the folders I've 'shared' but am not able to open them at all.
> I see there is a "Public" folder that opens into several folders, 'Public
> Downloads' for instance. Those I can access. But I prefer to be able to
> access "C:\ARCS\DOWNLOADS" directly, for instance. While I can see
> "C:\ARCS", I can't open it. 'Access denied....'
> What do I need to do to access that folder from my desktop?
> I'm using a DLink DI-524 4 port switch with Wireless G (802.11b/g), the
> desktop is wired (10/100mbit) and the laptop is Wireless (54mbit max).
> The networking seems fine. I seem to have missed a setting in Vista for
> the shares.
>
> Other than these two little things, I think I've figured out how to
> (safely!) get around in Vista now. The Aero interface is neat, Vista runs
> quite well, seems very responsive and the system is quick. I'm just
> guessing, but since Vista hasn't stopped me, all the software I've
> installed thus far is 'compatible'.
> Having a nice bright 17" Widescreen WXGA display for it is very nice.
>
> Thanks in advance!
> McG.
>

"Michael Walraven" <mexxwalraven@verson.net> wrote in message
news:FD615A2C-CC0F-4D45-A38D-0DCD11CB70A5@microsoft.com...
> 3.
>
> There are two parts to sharing/using files within Vista.
> Sharing - this allows various files/directories to be seen across the
> network.
> Access - this allow users to access/view/change files and directories that
> are being shared.
>
> Just because a directory is being shared does not mean that a specific
> user can access files within that directory.
>
> There are two basic ways to get a directory shared, right click on the
> directory
> There is a entry for 'sharing' use this to get the simplest sharing setup.
> Otherwise select properties and the sharing tab, advanced sharing. This
> allows much finer control and many more ways to screw up permissions so
> that you machine is unusable!
>
> Before messing with permission/sharing I recommend that your do a system
> snapshot so that you can do a system restore if necessary.
>
> If you haven't already noticed, Vista/XP happiness on sharing depends a
> great deal on having identical accounts on both machines. If your logon
> account and password on both machines is the same things just go much
> smoother.
>
> Simple steps to get your share going.
> Right click on c:\arcs\download
> select sharing
> select from the expandable list if you want more than the owner of the
> directory (yourself). Note that the 'public' shares include 'everyone' in
> the list.
> click on share, will take a while to set everything up correctly. You are
> very unlikely to mess up your system using this way.
>
> You say you can see c:\arcs, so perhaps you have already gotten to the
> steps above, so sorry about the redundancy.
> If so right click on c:\arcs and check the sharing.
>
> As far as seeing the share but not seeing the content, check the security
> settings (properties/security tab) to make sure that the account from the
> XP has permissions to view/change the items.
>
> Michael
>
snip

>>
>> 3. Private network, File and Folder sharing.

Thanks for that, will check the user access permissions. Only thing left
McG.

"Michael Walraven" <mexxwalraven@verson.net> wrote in message
news:FD615A2C-CC0F-4D45-A38D-0DCD11CB70A5@microsoft.com...
> 3.
>
> There are two parts to sharing/using files within Vista.
> Sharing - this allows various files/directories to be seen across the
> network.
> Access - this allow users to access/view/change files and directories that
> are being shared.
>
> Just because a directory is being shared does not mean that a specific
> user can access files within that directory.
>
> There are two basic ways to get a directory shared, right click on the
> directory
> There is a entry for 'sharing' use this to get the simplest sharing setup.
> Otherwise select properties and the sharing tab, advanced sharing. This
> allows much finer control and many more ways to screw up permissions so
> that you machine is unusable!
>
> Before messing with permission/sharing I recommend that your do a system
> snapshot so that you can do a system restore if necessary.
>
> If you haven't already noticed, Vista/XP happiness on sharing depends a
> great deal on having identical accounts on both machines. If your logon
> account and password on both machines is the same things just go much
> smoother.
>
> Simple steps to get your share going.
> Right click on c:\arcs\download
> select sharing
> select from the expandable list if you want more than the owner of the
> directory (yourself). Note that the 'public' shares include 'everyone' in
> the list.
> click on share, will take a while to set everything up correctly. You are
> very unlikely to mess up your system using this way.
>
> You say you can see c:\arcs, so perhaps you have already gotten to the
> steps above, so sorry about the redundancy.
> If so right click on c:\arcs and check the sharing.
>
> As far as seeing the share but not seeing the content, check the security
> settings (properties/security tab) to make sure that the account from the
> XP has permissions to view/change the items.
>
> Michael
>
> "McG." <McGrandpaNOT@NOThotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:ecv0mkjGIHA.4496@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Hi folks,
>>
>> I'm not new to computers or Windows OS's at all. Vista, though, is new
>> to me. I just bought a new laptop (Toshiba Satellite P205D-S7454), and
>> it has Vista Home Premium 32 bit preinstalled.
>> In my first hour of running it, I managed to delete my entire desktop.
>> Rebooting, it was still gone. So for the first time ever, I cracked the
>> seal on my own recovery disks. Two hours later, I make sure I don't mess
>> with unhiding system files anymore :-)
>> Ok, so Vista is pretty cool. It's also quite a bit different than any
>> other Windows version. So far, all my software I need installed is
>> working just fine. Vista hasn't complained about any of it, including
>> all my 3D apps.
>>
>> Three questions:
>>
>> 1. Windows Explorer, or, just Explorer in Vista. I'd like to have it
>> open to the same size, position, and with the same folder shown open
>> using a specific shortcut. With 98SE and XP, this was very easy. In XP
>> I simply use:
>>
>> Target location: %SystemRoot%
>> target: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,C:\
>> Start in: %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>>
>> And the XP Explorer remembers its size and location, and opens with C:\
>> open in the folder pane.
>>
>> In Vista, this [ C:\Windows\explorer.exe /e,C:\ ] gets Explorer open and
>> C:\ is open. But the size is always too small. How do I get it to open
>> to the size I want every time from that shortcut? Maybe I'm not running
>> Explorer from the right place, or the right way?
>>
>> 2. How do I get Explorer to NOT show "Favorite Links" at the top of the
>> folder pane? If I can't remove it, then at least get it at the bottom of
>> the folder pane.
>>
>> 3. Private network, File and Folder sharing. From the laptop/Vista,
>> I have no trouble accessing my desktop running XP Pro x64 and using the
>> folders I've shared from there. From the XP x64 machine, I can see this
>> laptop, see the folders I've 'shared' but am not able to open them at
>> all. I see there is a "Public" folder that opens into several folders,
>> 'Public Downloads' for instance. Those I can access. But I prefer to be
>> able to access "C:\ARCS\DOWNLOADS" directly, for instance. While I can
>> see "C:\ARCS", I can't open it. 'Access denied....'
>> What do I need to do to access that folder from my desktop?
>> I'm using a DLink DI-524 4 port switch with Wireless G (802.11b/g), the
>> desktop is wired (10/100mbit) and the laptop is Wireless (54mbit max).
>> The networking seems fine. I seem to have missed a setting in Vista for
>> the shares.
>>
>> Other than these two little things, I think I've figured out how to
>> (safely!) get around in Vista now. The Aero interface is neat, Vista
>> runs quite well, seems very responsive and the system is quick. I'm
>> just guessing, but since Vista hasn't stopped me, all the software I've
>> installed thus far is 'compatible'.
>> Having a nice bright 17" Widescreen WXGA display for it is very nice.
>>
>> Thanks in advance!
>> McG.
>>
>

Followup:

3. Turned out the problem was twofold. I had not installed any updates at
all, and (likely the big one with Vista) had not added a Guest account with
appropriate access levels for the folders I wanted to share. I had only
Administrator/owner account for access, which is where everything HAS to be
identical with each machine. Now there is a Guest/Contributor for them
also. I already had Private Network set, btw. It is a little different in
XP of course, the access to security settings are put right in your face in
Vista :-) . But in the end, the result is I have access to what I want from
where I want. I ran Windows Update, checked out the 29 available downloads
for Vista and Office 2003, found them to all be desirable, downloaded and
installed all 29, rebooted and all is well. I can now access the new
folders I've shared from both the XP Pro x64 desktop and XP Home on old
Toshiba laptop.

1. and 2. were better that I figured out on my own. No problems there now
either. Opening Explorer any way other than my new shortcut results in the
default Explorer, and with that shorcut just the way I like it. Finding I
can just drag the 'Favorite Links' box bottom line up till it is almost gone
was a DUH moment ;-)

General thoughts on Vista now:

Pretty darn good, all things considered. It's quite a lot faster than I
expected. And I actually like having the security features thrown right in
my face. Once they're properly taken care of, no worries. As long as the
hardware manufacturers supply drivers to support X64/Vista, all is well it
seems.

I'm now considering Vista Ultimate 64 bit for the desktop :-D

Thanks again for the help, Michael!

McG.

A thing to check, there is a update for XP that permits improved 'network
discovery'. Vista/XP will work without it but will work better with it. The
update is not a 'security' one so it is not automatic.
I think that if you go to netowrk and sharing center and click on view full
map your will see the XP machine if the update has been made, otherwise it
wont show there.

Michael


"McG." <McGrandpaNOT@NOThotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uHJcNhxGIHA.4584@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> "Michael Walraven" <mexxwalraven@verson.net> wrote in message
> news:FD615A2C-CC0F-4D45-A38D-0DCD11CB70A5@microsoft.com...
>> 3.
>>
>> There are two parts to sharing/using files within Vista.
>> Sharing - this allows various files/directories to be seen across the
>> network.
>> Access - this allow users to access/view/change files and directories
>> that are being shared.
>>
>> Just because a directory is being shared does not mean that a specific
>> user can access files within that directory.
>>
>> There are two basic ways to get a directory shared, right click on the
>> directory
>> There is a entry for 'sharing' use this to get the simplest sharing
>> setup.
>> Otherwise select properties and the sharing tab, advanced sharing. This
>> allows much finer control and many more ways to screw up permissions so
>> that you machine is unusable!
>>
>> Before messing with permission/sharing I recommend that your do a system
>> snapshot so that you can do a system restore if necessary.
>>
>> If you haven't already noticed, Vista/XP happiness on sharing depends a
>> great deal on having identical accounts on both machines. If your logon
>> account and password on both machines is the same things just go much
>> smoother.
>>
>> Simple steps to get your share going.
>> Right click on c:\arcs\download
>> select sharing
>> select from the expandable list if you want more than the owner of the
>> directory (yourself). Note that the 'public' shares include 'everyone' in
>> the list.
>> click on share, will take a while to set everything up correctly. You are
>> very unlikely to mess up your system using this way.
>>
>> You say you can see c:\arcs, so perhaps you have already gotten to the
>> steps above, so sorry about the redundancy.
>> If so right click on c:\arcs and check the sharing.
>>
>> As far as seeing the share but not seeing the content, check the security
>> settings (properties/security tab) to make sure that the account from the
>> XP has permissions to view/change the items.
>>
>> Michael
>>
>> "McG." <McGrandpaNOT@NOThotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:ecv0mkjGIHA.4496@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>> Hi folks,
>>>
>>> I'm not new to computers or Windows OS's at all. Vista, though, is new
>>> to me. I just bought a new laptop (Toshiba Satellite P205D-S7454), and
>>> it has Vista Home Premium 32 bit preinstalled.
>>> In my first hour of running it, I managed to delete my entire desktop.
>>> Rebooting, it was still gone. So for the first time ever, I cracked the
>>> seal on my own recovery disks. Two hours later, I make sure I don't
>>> mess with unhiding system files anymore :-)
>>> Ok, so Vista is pretty cool. It's also quite a bit different than any
>>> other Windows version. So far, all my software I need installed is
>>> working just fine. Vista hasn't complained about any of it, including
>>> all my 3D apps.
>>>
>>> Three questions:
>>>
>>> 1. Windows Explorer, or, just Explorer in Vista. I'd like to have it
>>> open to the same size, position, and with the same folder shown open
>>> using a specific shortcut. With 98SE and XP, this was very easy. In
>>> XP I simply use:
>>>
>>> Target location: %SystemRoot%
>>> target: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,C:\
>>> Start in: %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>>>
>>> And the XP Explorer remembers its size and location, and opens with C:\
>>> open in the folder pane.
>>>
>>> In Vista, this [ C:\Windows\explorer.exe /e,C:\ ] gets Explorer open and
>>> C:\ is open. But the size is always too small. How do I get it to open
>>> to the size I want every time from that shortcut? Maybe I'm not
>>> running Explorer from the right place, or the right way?
>>>
>>> 2. How do I get Explorer to NOT show "Favorite Links" at the top of
>>> the folder pane? If I can't remove it, then at least get it at the
>>> bottom of the folder pane.
>>>
>>> 3. Private network, File and Folder sharing. From the laptop/Vista,
>>> I have no trouble accessing my desktop running XP Pro x64 and using the
>>> folders I've shared from there. From the XP x64 machine, I can see
>>> this laptop, see the folders I've 'shared' but am not able to open them
>>> at all. I see there is a "Public" folder that opens into several
>>> folders, 'Public Downloads' for instance. Those I can access. But I
>>> prefer to be able to access "C:\ARCS\DOWNLOADS" directly, for instance.
>>> While I can see "C:\ARCS", I can't open it. 'Access denied....'
>>> What do I need to do to access that folder from my desktop?
>>> I'm using a DLink DI-524 4 port switch with Wireless G (802.11b/g), the
>>> desktop is wired (10/100mbit) and the laptop is Wireless (54mbit max).
>>> The networking seems fine. I seem to have missed a setting in Vista for
>>> the shares.
>>>
>>> Other than these two little things, I think I've figured out how to
>>> (safely!) get around in Vista now. The Aero interface is neat, Vista
>>> runs quite well, seems very responsive and the system is quick. I'm
>>> just guessing, but since Vista hasn't stopped me, all the software I've
>>> installed thus far is 'compatible'.
>>> Having a nice bright 17" Widescreen WXGA display for it is very nice.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance!
>>> McG.
>>>
>>
>
> Followup:
>
> 3. Turned out the problem was twofold. I had not installed any updates
> at all, and (likely the big one with Vista) had not added a Guest account
> with appropriate access levels for the folders I wanted to share. I had
> only Administrator/owner account for access, which is where everything HAS
> to be identical with each machine. Now there is a Guest/Contributor for
> them also. I already had Private Network set, btw. It is a little
> different in XP of course, the access to security settings are put right
> in your face in Vista :-) . But in the end, the result is I have access
> to what I want from where I want. I ran Windows Update, checked out the
> 29 available downloads for Vista and Office 2003, found them to all be
> desirable, downloaded and installed all 29, rebooted and all is well. I
> can now access the new folders I've shared from both the XP Pro x64
> desktop and XP Home on old Toshiba laptop.
>
> 1. and 2. were better that I figured out on my own. No problems there
> now either. Opening Explorer any way other than my new shortcut results
> in the default Explorer, and with that shorcut just the way I like it.
> Finding I can just drag the 'Favorite Links' box bottom line up till it is
> almost gone was a DUH moment ;-)
>
> General thoughts on Vista now:
>
> Pretty darn good, all things considered. It's quite a lot faster than I
> expected. And I actually like having the security features thrown right
> in my face. Once they're properly taken care of, no worries. As long as
> the hardware manufacturers supply drivers to support X64/Vista, all is
> well it seems.
>
> I'm now considering Vista Ultimate 64 bit for the desktop :-D
>
> Thanks again for the help, Michael!
>
> McG.
>

re XP Pro x64; I've never installed *any* windows updates in the two years
I've run the system. It is stable and solid as a rock. I'm a bit
paranoid about the 34 updates including SP2-x64 for it. There were tons of
problems with autoupdates and most windows updates for x64 two years ago.
The Vista machine is different. It's New. :-) I can always just use the
recovery disks.

After the Vista updates, the Vista machine now sees both XP machines, and
are shown in the full map.
I'll look for any updates that improve Network Discovery in XP. Don't see
anything yet. Might be in x64 SP2?
McG.

"Michael Walraven" <mexxwalraven@verson.net> wrote in message
news:%2351N8zyGIHA.1212@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>A thing to check, there is a update for XP that permits improved 'network
>discovery'. Vista/XP will work without it but will work better with it. The
>update is not a 'security' one so it is not automatic.
> I think that if you go to netowrk and sharing center and click on view
> full map your will see the XP machine if the update has been made,
> otherwise it wont show there.
>
> Michael
>
>
> "McG." <McGrandpaNOT@NOThotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:uHJcNhxGIHA.4584@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> "Michael Walraven" <mexxwalraven@verson.net> wrote in message
>> news:FD615A2C-CC0F-4D45-A38D-0DCD11CB70A5@microsoft.com...
>>> 3.
>>>
>>> There are two parts to sharing/using files within Vista.
>>> Sharing - this allows various files/directories to be seen across the
>>> network.
>>> Access - this allow users to access/view/change files and directories
>>> that are being shared.
>>>
>>> Just because a directory is being shared does not mean that a specific
>>> user can access files within that directory.
>>>
>>> There are two basic ways to get a directory shared, right click on the
>>> directory
>>> There is a entry for 'sharing' use this to get the simplest sharing
>>> setup.
>>> Otherwise select properties and the sharing tab, advanced sharing. This
>>> allows much finer control and many more ways to screw up permissions so
>>> that you machine is unusable!
>>>
>>> Before messing with permission/sharing I recommend that your do a system
>>> snapshot so that you can do a system restore if necessary.
>>>
>>> If you haven't already noticed, Vista/XP happiness on sharing depends a
>>> great deal on having identical accounts on both machines. If your logon
>>> account and password on both machines is the same things just go much
>>> smoother.
>>>
>>> Simple steps to get your share going.
>>> Right click on c:\arcs\download
>>> select sharing
>>> select from the expandable list if you want more than the owner of the
>>> directory (yourself). Note that the 'public' shares include 'everyone'
>>> in the list.
>>> click on share, will take a while to set everything up correctly. You
>>> are very unlikely to mess up your system using this way.
>>>
>>> You say you can see c:\arcs, so perhaps you have already gotten to the
>>> steps above, so sorry about the redundancy.
>>> If so right click on c:\arcs and check the sharing.
>>>
>>> As far as seeing the share but not seeing the content, check the
>>> security settings (properties/security tab) to make sure that the
>>> account from the XP has permissions to view/change the items.
>>>
>>> Michael
>>>
>>> "McG." <McGrandpaNOT@NOThotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:ecv0mkjGIHA.4496@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>>> Hi folks,
>>>>
>>>> I'm not new to computers or Windows OS's at all. Vista, though, is new
>>>> to me. I just bought a new laptop (Toshiba Satellite P205D-S7454), and
>>>> it has Vista Home Premium 32 bit preinstalled.
>>>> In my first hour of running it, I managed to delete my entire desktop.
>>>> Rebooting, it was still gone. So for the first time ever, I cracked
>>>> the seal on my own recovery disks. Two hours later, I make sure I
>>>> don't mess with unhiding system files anymore :-)
>>>> Ok, so Vista is pretty cool. It's also quite a bit different than any
>>>> other Windows version. So far, all my software I need installed is
>>>> working just fine. Vista hasn't complained about any of it, including
>>>> all my 3D apps.
>>>>
>>>> Three questions:
>>>>
>>>> 1. Windows Explorer, or, just Explorer in Vista. I'd like to have
>>>> it open to the same size, position, and with the same folder shown open
>>>> using a specific shortcut. With 98SE and XP, this was very easy. In
>>>> XP I simply use:
>>>>
>>>> Target location: %SystemRoot%
>>>> target: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,C:\
>>>> Start in: %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>>>>
>>>> And the XP Explorer remembers its size and location, and opens with C:\
>>>> open in the folder pane.
>>>>
>>>> In Vista, this [ C:\Windows\explorer.exe /e,C:\ ] gets Explorer open
>>>> and C:\ is open. But the size is always too small. How do I get it to
>>>> open to the size I want every time from that shortcut? Maybe I'm not
>>>> running Explorer from the right place, or the right way?
>>>>
>>>> 2. How do I get Explorer to NOT show "Favorite Links" at the top of
>>>> the folder pane? If I can't remove it, then at least get it at the
>>>> bottom of the folder pane.
>>>>
>>>> 3. Private network, File and Folder sharing. From the
>>>> laptop/Vista, I have no trouble accessing my desktop running XP Pro x64
>>>> and using the folders I've shared from there. From the XP x64
>>>> machine, I can see this laptop, see the folders I've 'shared' but am
>>>> not able to open them at all. I see there is a "Public" folder that
>>>> opens into several folders, 'Public Downloads' for instance. Those I
>>>> can access. But I prefer to be able to access "C:\ARCS\DOWNLOADS"
>>>> directly, for instance. While I can see "C:\ARCS", I can't open it.
>>>> 'Access denied....'
>>>> What do I need to do to access that folder from my desktop?
>>>> I'm using a DLink DI-524 4 port switch with Wireless G (802.11b/g), the
>>>> desktop is wired (10/100mbit) and the laptop is Wireless (54mbit max).
>>>> The networking seems fine. I seem to have missed a setting in Vista
>>>> for the shares.
>>>>
>>>> Other than these two little things, I think I've figured out how to
>>>> (safely!) get around in Vista now. The Aero interface is neat, Vista
>>>> runs quite well, seems very responsive and the system is quick. I'm
>>>> just guessing, but since Vista hasn't stopped me, all the software I've
>>>> installed thus far is 'compatible'.
>>>> Having a nice bright 17" Widescreen WXGA display for it is very nice.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance!
>>>> McG.
>>>>
>>>
>>
>> Followup:
>>
>> 3. Turned out the problem was twofold. I had not installed any updates
>> at all, and (likely the big one with Vista) had not added a Guest account
>> with appropriate access levels for the folders I wanted to share. I had
>> only Administrator/owner account for access, which is where everything
>> HAS to be identical with each machine. Now there is a Guest/Contributor
>> for them also. I already had Private Network set, btw. It is a little
>> different in XP of course, the access to security settings are put right
>> in your face in Vista :-) . But in the end, the result is I have access
>> to what I want from where I want. I ran Windows Update, checked out the
>> 29 available downloads for Vista and Office 2003, found them to all be
>> desirable, downloaded and installed all 29, rebooted and all is well.
>> I can now access the new folders I've shared from both the XP Pro x64
>> desktop and XP Home on old Toshiba laptop.
>>
>> 1. and 2. were better that I figured out on my own. No problems there
>> now either. Opening Explorer any way other than my new shortcut results
>> in the default Explorer, and with that shorcut just the way I like it.
>> Finding I can just drag the 'Favorite Links' box bottom line up till it
>> is almost gone was a DUH moment ;-)
>>
>> General thoughts on Vista now:
>>
>> Pretty darn good, all things considered. It's quite a lot faster than I
>> expected. And I actually like having the security features thrown right
>> in my face. Once they're properly taken care of, no worries. As long as
>> the hardware manufacturers supply drivers to support X64/Vista, all is
>> well it seems.
>>
>> I'm now considering Vista Ultimate 64 bit for the desktop :-D
>>
>> Thanks again for the help, Michael!
>>
>> McG.
>>
>

If the XP shows in the map on the Vista then I suppose you don't need it. I
believe that I got it by doing a Windows Update and it was in the
'recommended' updates rather than the security/critical type. Also I am
using XP 32 bit SP2 on my laptop, vista home premium on my desktop, also do
all security updates and most non-hardware updates.

Correct name for patch I was referencing to is 'link-layer topology
discovery responder' KB922120. Not clear to me if it applies to 64 bit XPs.

Michael


"McG." <McGrandpaNOT@NOThotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OH6swQzGIHA.4592@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> re XP Pro x64; I've never installed *any* windows updates in the two
> years I've run the system. It is stable and solid as a rock. I'm a bit
> paranoid about the 34 updates including SP2-x64 for it. There were tons
> of problems with autoupdates and most windows updates for x64 two years
> ago.
> The Vista machine is different. It's New. :-) I can always just use the
> recovery disks.
>
> After the Vista updates, the Vista machine now sees both XP machines, and
> are shown in the full map.
> I'll look for any updates that improve Network Discovery in XP. Don't see
> anything yet. Might be in x64 SP2?
> McG.
>
> "Michael Walraven" <mexxwalraven@verson.net> wrote in message
> news:%2351N8zyGIHA.1212@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>A thing to check, there is a update for XP that permits improved 'network
>>discovery'. Vista/XP will work without it but will work better with it.
>>The update is not a 'security' one so it is not automatic.
>> I think that if you go to netowrk and sharing center and click on view
>> full map your will see the XP machine if the update has been made,
>> otherwise it wont show there.
>>
>> Michael
>>
>>
>> "McG." <McGrandpaNOT@NOThotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:uHJcNhxGIHA.4584@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>> "Michael Walraven" <mexxwalraven@verson.net> wrote in message
>>> news:FD615A2C-CC0F-4D45-A38D-0DCD11CB70A5@microsoft.com...
>>>> 3.
>>>>
>>>> There are two parts to sharing/using files within Vista.
>>>> Sharing - this allows various files/directories to be seen across the
>>>> network.
>>>> Access - this allow users to access/view/change files and directories
>>>> that are being shared.
>>>>
>>>> Just because a directory is being shared does not mean that a specific
>>>> user can access files within that directory.
>>>>
>>>> There are two basic ways to get a directory shared, right click on the
>>>> directory
>>>> There is a entry for 'sharing' use this to get the simplest sharing
>>>> setup.
>>>> Otherwise select properties and the sharing tab, advanced sharing. This
>>>> allows much finer control and many more ways to screw up permissions so
>>>> that you machine is unusable!
>>>>
>>>> Before messing with permission/sharing I recommend that your do a
>>>> system snapshot so that you can do a system restore if necessary.
>>>>
>>>> If you haven't already noticed, Vista/XP happiness on sharing depends a
>>>> great deal on having identical accounts on both machines. If your logon
>>>> account and password on both machines is the same things just go much
>>>> smoother.
>>>>
>>>> Simple steps to get your share going.
>>>> Right click on c:\arcs\download
>>>> select sharing
>>>> select from the expandable list if you want more than the owner of the
>>>> directory (yourself). Note that the 'public' shares include 'everyone'
>>>> in the list.
>>>> click on share, will take a while to set everything up correctly. You
>>>> are very unlikely to mess up your system using this way.
>>>>
>>>> You say you can see c:\arcs, so perhaps you have already gotten to the
>>>> steps above, so sorry about the redundancy.
>>>> If so right click on c:\arcs and check the sharing.
>>>>
>>>> As far as seeing the share but not seeing the content, check the
>>>> security settings (properties/security tab) to make sure that the
>>>> account from the XP has permissions to view/change the items.
>>>>
>>>> Michael
>>>>
>>>> "McG." <McGrandpaNOT@NOThotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:ecv0mkjGIHA.4496@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>>>> Hi folks,
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm not new to computers or Windows OS's at all. Vista, though, is
>>>>> new to me. I just bought a new laptop (Toshiba Satellite
>>>>> P205D-S7454), and it has Vista Home Premium 32 bit preinstalled.
>>>>> In my first hour of running it, I managed to delete my entire desktop.
>>>>> Rebooting, it was still gone. So for the first time ever, I cracked
>>>>> the seal on my own recovery disks. Two hours later, I make sure I
>>>>> don't mess with unhiding system files anymore :-)
>>>>> Ok, so Vista is pretty cool. It's also quite a bit different than any
>>>>> other Windows version. So far, all my software I need installed is
>>>>> working just fine. Vista hasn't complained about any of it, including
>>>>> all my 3D apps.
>>>>>
>>>>> Three questions:
>>>>>
>>>>> 1. Windows Explorer, or, just Explorer in Vista. I'd like to have
>>>>> it open to the same size, position, and with the same folder shown
>>>>> open using a specific shortcut. With 98SE and XP, this was very
>>>>> easy. In XP I simply use:
>>>>>
>>>>> Target location: %SystemRoot%
>>>>> target: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,C:\
>>>>> Start in: %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>>>>>
>>>>> And the XP Explorer remembers its size and location, and opens with
>>>>> C:\ open in the folder pane.
>>>>>
>>>>> In Vista, this [ C:\Windows\explorer.exe /e,C:\ ] gets Explorer open
>>>>> and C:\ is open. But the size is always too small. How do I get it
>>>>> to open to the size I want every time from that shortcut? Maybe I'm
>>>>> not running Explorer from the right place, or the right way?
>>>>>
>>>>> 2. How do I get Explorer to NOT show "Favorite Links" at the top of
>>>>> the folder pane? If I can't remove it, then at least get it at the
>>>>> bottom of the folder pane.
>>>>>
>>>>> 3. Private network, File and Folder sharing. From the
>>>>> laptop/Vista, I have no trouble accessing my desktop running XP Pro
>>>>> x64 and using the folders I've shared from there. From the XP x64
>>>>> machine, I can see this laptop, see the folders I've 'shared' but am
>>>>> not able to open them at all. I see there is a "Public" folder that
>>>>> opens into several folders, 'Public Downloads' for instance. Those I
>>>>> can access. But I prefer to be able to access "C:\ARCS\DOWNLOADS"
>>>>> directly, for instance. While I can see "C:\ARCS", I can't open it.
>>>>> 'Access denied....'
>>>>> What do I need to do to access that folder from my desktop?
>>>>> I'm using a DLink DI-524 4 port switch with Wireless G (802.11b/g),
>>>>> the desktop is wired (10/100mbit) and the laptop is Wireless (54mbit
>>>>> max). The networking seems fine. I seem to have missed a setting in
>>>>> Vista for the shares.
>>>>>
>>>>> Other than these two little things, I think I've figured out how to
>>>>> (safely!) get around in Vista now. The Aero interface is neat, Vista
>>>>> runs quite well, seems very responsive and the system is quick. I'm
>>>>> just guessing, but since Vista hasn't stopped me, all the software
>>>>> I've installed thus far is 'compatible'.
>>>>> Having a nice bright 17" Widescreen WXGA display for it is very nice.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance!
>>>>> McG.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Followup:
>>>
>>> 3. Turned out the problem was twofold. I had not installed any updates
>>> at all, and (likely the big one with Vista) had not added a Guest
>>> account with appropriate access levels for the folders I wanted to
>>> share. I had only Administrator/owner account for access, which is
>>> where everything HAS to be identical with each machine. Now there is a
>>> Guest/Contributor for them also. I already had Private Network set,
>>> btw. It is a little different in XP of course, the access to security
>>> settings are put right in your face in Vista :-) . But in the end, the
>>> result is I have access to what I want from where I want. I ran Windows
>>> Update, checked out the 29 available downloads for Vista and Office
>>> 2003, found them to all be desirable, downloaded and installed all 29,
>>> rebooted and all is well. I can now access the new folders I've shared
>>> from both the XP Pro x64 desktop and XP Home on old Toshiba laptop.
>>>
>>> 1. and 2. were better that I figured out on my own. No problems there
>>> now either. Opening Explorer any way other than my new shortcut results
>>> in the default Explorer, and with that shorcut just the way I like it.
>>> Finding I can just drag the 'Favorite Links' box bottom line up till it
>>> is almost gone was a DUH moment ;-)
>>>
>>> General thoughts on Vista now:
>>>
>>> Pretty darn good, all things considered. It's quite a lot faster than
>>> I expected. And I actually like having the security features thrown
>>> right in my face. Once they're properly taken care of, no worries. As
>>> long as the hardware manufacturers supply drivers to support X64/Vista,
>>> all is well it seems.
>>>
>>> I'm now considering Vista Ultimate 64 bit for the desktop :-D
>>>
>>> Thanks again for the help, Michael!
>>>
>>> McG.
>>>
>>
>
>

"Michael Walraven" <mexxwalraven@verson.net> wrote in message
news:eayvOd0GIHA.2100@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> If the XP shows in the map on the Vista then I suppose you don't need it.
> I believe that I got it by doing a Windows Update and it was in the
> 'recommended' updates rather than the security/critical type. Also I am
> using XP 32 bit SP2 on my laptop, vista home premium on my desktop, also
> do all security updates and most non-hardware updates.
>
> Correct name for patch I was referencing to is 'link-layer topology
> discovery responder' KB922120. Not clear to me if it applies to 64 bit
> XPs.
>
> Michael
>
>
snip

Ok, I found the article. That update is NOT for x64. The x64 networking
is already updated in SP1 (which is a bit later than the release of x86
SP2). But like you said, it wasn't XP Pro x64 that was having the problem
seeing the Vista machine, it was the other way around. I simply couldn't
access the visible folders from ANY machine on the LAN. Now, with Vista
updated and 'Guest' users added to those folders, I can read/write to them
from any system on my lan. Cool :-) That's what I needed.
McG.