Interface Cards & Controllers

Networking Vista and XP: Steps I Had to Take

 

We recently did some work on my wife's computer, including upgrading to XP SP3.  I also wanted to get my home network functioning properly as desired as well.  I don't usually write about windows, and probably won't write about windows again for some time: I don't have bad feelings about windows, because it usually works, but it's just not my main professional area of expertise.

 

The first issue was that Vista and XP have different protocols for home networks.  Therefore XP had to be supplemented with a patch.  (Supposedly Service Pack 3 has these new features included, but in my case it certainly did not.)  So I first tried to simply download and install LLTD Link Layer Topology Discovery (KB922120) from microsoft.com (I was already familiar with this because I had previously had to do the same thing on a SP2 install) On the new computer, however, it was unsuccessful because the install script believes sp3 transcends the patch, which it doesn't... luckily one guy had managed to pull off the patch installations, and laid out the instructions perfectly, which I followed with success: http://x3webworx3.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!E40FC8E37C2475AE!234.entry

 

Then I uninstalled all antivirus products and turned off firewalls (which I'll have to put back one at a time later, carefully, in a way that I still allow file sharing)

 

After that I made sure the workgroup names were the same, and I wrestled for a while with sharing media and specific files... I finally was able to share media but not directories or files.  When I followed microsoft.com's troubleshooting guide, including http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/library/bb727037.aspx and other troubleshooting pages at microsoft.com, it seemed most of my network was functional but that the computer name was not being broadcast (the Vista computer was able to find the XP computer when it created a full network map, but it was not able to find the XP computer when I just clicked Start->Network). 

 

Eventually I gave up and decided to try Microsoft tech support.  I had only to click a button in the XP tech support section of microsoft.com (http://support.microsoft.com/select/default.aspx?target=assistance)

to start a chat, and I immediately got paired up with Manisha Pradhan in India, with no waiting. She or he (after asking a lot of questions) took control of both computers (with my permission) and did a great job of backchecking many things I'd checked, and then checking quite a few more items as well that I had not checked.  We rebooted in safe mode, turned off the firewall service, created a Guest account on the Vista machine, and verified that the IP adapters had all the right options available and that they were checked on both machines (including Client for Microsoft Networks, File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks, Link Layer Topology Discovery Responder).

 

I don't know exactly which of those items was the missing link, but everything is working now. Great job, Manisha Pradhan of Microsoft tech support!  (Of course it would be nice if sp3 properly offered LLTDR or Vista had a way around XP's lack of it in the first place... but maybe for some reason those options had hidden disadvantages.)

 

Looks like we have a home network again!  Thanks to a few good blogs on the internet, and Microsoft Tech Support in India.

We recently did some work on my wife's computer, including upgrading to XP SP3.  I also wanted to get my home network functioning properly as desired as well.  I don't usually write about windows, and probably won't write about windows again for some time: I don't have bad feelings about windows, because it usually works, but it's just not my main professional area of expertise. The first issue was that Vista and XP have different protocols for home networks.  Therefore XP had to be supplemented with a patch.  (Supposedly Service Pack 3 has these new features included, but in my case it certainly did not.)  So I first tried to simply download and install LLTD Link Layer Topology Discovery (KB922120) from microsoft.com (I was already familiar with this because I had previously had to do the same thing on a SP2 install) On the new computer, however, it was unsuccessful because the install script believes sp3 transcends the patch, which it doesn't... luckily one guy had managed to pull off the patch installations, and laid out the instructions perfectly, which I followed with success: http://x3webworx3.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!E40FC8E37C2475AE!234.entry Then I uninstalled all antivirus products and turned off firewalls (which I'll have to put back one at a time later, carefully, in a way that I still allow file sharing) After that I made sure the workgroup names were the same, and I wrestled for a while with sharing media and specific files... I finally was able to share media but not directories or files.  When I followed microsoft.com's troubleshooting guide, including http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/library/bb727037.aspx and other troubleshooting pages at microsoft.com, it seemed most of my network was functional but that the computer name was not being broadcast (the Vista computer was able to find the XP computer when it created a full network map, but it was not able to find the XP computer when I just clicked Start->Network).  Eventually I gave up and decided to try Microsoft tech support.  I had only to click a button in the XP tech support section of microsoft.com (http://support.microsoft.com/select/default.aspx?target=assistance) to start a chat, and I immediately got paired up with Manisha Pradhan in India, with no waiting. She or he (after asking a lot of questions) took control of both computers (with my permission) and did a great job of backchecking many things I'd checked, and then checking quite a few more items as well that I had not checked.  We rebooted in safe mode, turned off the firewall service, created a Guest account on the Vista machine, and verified that the IP adapters had all the right options available and that they were checked on both machines (including Client for Microsoft Networks, File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks, Link Layer Topology Discovery Responder). I don't know exactly which of those items was the missing link, but everything is working now. Great job, Manisha Pradhan of Microsoft tech support!  (Of course it would be nice if sp3 properly offered LLTDR or Vista had a way around XP's lack of it in the first place... but maybe for some reason those options had hidden disadvantages.) Looks like we have a home network again!  Thanks to a few good blogs on the internet, and Microsoft Tech Support in India.

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Restricted Compatibility Indicates Which The Adapter/drivers Might Or Could Not Function Together With Your Vista/7 Computer

Most more recent electronic devices can be linked and communicate having a personal computer by a USB cable, on the other hand several gadgets are nonetheless working with the older sort of conversation protocol known as serial RS232 or RS485. To link devices having a Serial RS232/RS485 port you'll need an adapter cable known as a USB to RS232 adapter or USB to RS485 adapter, based on in case your gadget is utilizing the RS232 protocol or the RS485 protocol.
USB to Serial RS232/RS485 adapters are sometimes applied for connecting devices like GPS navigation models, sensors, meters, loggers, cameras, printers along with other regular and particular devices to a individual laptop or computer.
Most people assume that these adapters are appropriate with ALL functioning programs and ALL gadgets, however this really is far from the truth of the matter.
Whenever you make investments in a USB to Serial adapter you often spend for what you receive. A number of web sites are selling low-cost USB to Serial RS232 adapters for $9.95. This sounds like an incredible offer, having said that whenever you receive the adapter and connect your device to your computer you will most likely get disappointed, mainly because in many circumstances the adapter will not function properly with both your pc or your gadget. The main cause for this really is which the low-cost adapter is produced with a low-cost processor chip. These low-cost processor chips have limited compatibility using the majority of devices plus the Microsoft Windows functioning program.

Restricted compatibility means that the adapter/drivers may or could not function along with your Vista/7 laptop, it all depends on your computer's particular hardware, set up Windows components and services packs, conflicting motorists or other peripheral devices, as well as your processors bios model.
Generally the drivers work fantastic with Windows 98, 2000 and XP, nonetheless on the subject of Windows Vista and Windows seven the complications starts showing.
The motorists to get a low-cost USB to Serial the processor chip are rather usually badly composed programs which helps make the adapter unstable and unreliable and never totally appropriate with Windows seven as well as other current working programs. Because of this you might in quite a few instances be unable to create a low-cost adapter work with Windows 7 and Vista and you could expect a lot of the following common errors:

To begin with you should establish which running program you can be working with the adapter with. Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista, seven, or maybe Mac or Linux. Should you be utilizing Windows 98, 2000, XP or Linux you may be fortunate to obtain a low-cost adapter that will work for you personally, nevertheless if you are working with Windows Vista, 7 or Mac you must be willing to spend in between $20 - $30 for a superb high quality adapter which will function along with your gadget and Windows Vista/7. Attempt and learn what processor chip is within the adapter, good processor chips are FTDI, Silicon Labs, MosChip or Oxford Semiconductors. If you ever acquire a USB to Serial RS232 adapter with any 1 of these processor chips it's going to most likely be appropriate along with your gadget and any edition of Windows, Linux and Mac, and you may have the ability to very easily install the drivers and talk with your gadget.

Is the Intel Pro/Wireless 2100 LAN miniPCI Adapter compatible with Vista?

Intel Pro/Wireless 2100 LAN miniPCI Adapter

Most places seem to say that it is only compatible with 2000/ XP, but there are people who have this and use it with Vista with no problems. I have been searching for a driver that is compatible with Vista, but it's all been in vain, please help!

It is if you have 1.5 to 2.0 gig of ram. It will run on 1 gig but don't think you would be happy with performance

GTA: SA on PC Vista. USB Adapter and PS controller