Vista File Sharing Problems!

[djoutlaws]

Hi, wondered if you lot are a bit more knowledgeable on this than me.

I've recently started having some BIIIIIG problems with Vista and file sharing. I usually use a local network between my vista PC, XP laptop and xbox 360 (to stream media).

I noticed my XBox first having problems yesterday, it suddenly would be very very very selective about streaming things from the PC, I kept getting "The connection to your PC has been lost" messages a lot, often though it would show a folders contents, and upon clicking a file 10 times 1 out of 10 it would play fine.

I wondered if it could be the XBox but now I've noticed my XP laptop displaying the same behaivour, it will connect to the Vista PC and show a list of files, then I will open another folder and it will stall and just not show anything.

It looks like there is a problem with my file sharing on Vista, I'm stumped, I've restarted the PC several times, and the router, restarted the file sharing service, and the media sharing too, allowed access to the machines (which Vista can see).

What puzzles me is, its not a complete failure, 1 out of 10 times it just works for a few mins then stops! Any ideas? I spent about 3 hours yesterday evening on this and was almost pulling my hair out.

I've noticed, if I restrart the file sharing it seems to work fine for a minute or so, then stops. According to vista Network & Sharing, everything is working and all the green lights are on.

I was having a tweak of my start-up apps the other day, could there be anything I removed from Windows start-up that would display this behaivour?

I don't fancy a re-install!

[djoutlaws]

Just tried completely disabling the Vista firewall, and it has a lot more luck, but it's still not 100%, the Xbox may connect now 7/10 times. I thought it might be a firewall issue, but it's still losing connections.

I may add it only started doing this yesterday!

If it gets a connection and starts streaming it's solid and will not drop out, I can watch a 2 hour movie with no drop outs if it starts going.

I'm using a wireless link, from my Pc to the router which is wired into the Xbox, would maybe trying an ethernet to the PC/Router help or is that not worth trying?

[darknessgp]

If you have it enabled, try disabling the Windows protector/gaurdian thing. That could be causing problems. I've had no problems with Vista sharing folders to multiple machines. It sounds like it could be a network issue to me, I would try to make it all ethernet, at least then you should be able to tell if it is something to do with the wireless or not.

[djoutlaws]

If you have it enabled, try disabling the Windows protector/gaurdian thing. That could be causing problems. I've had no problems with Vista sharing folders to multiple machines. It sounds like it could be a network issue to me, I would try to make it all ethernet, at least then you should be able to tell if it is something to do with the wireless or not.

Hi, thanks for the advice, lost me a bit though, what is Windows protector/guardian? I don't think I have it enabled as I can't find anything called either of those?

I am now on a completely ethernet set-up, but still having exactly the same problem, guess I can rule out a wifi fault.

Any one be of any help? I'm desperate here! Two complete evenings I've messed around with this now and still no-where, close to tearing my hair out!

[crumbles]

You didn't post any specs about your network. From what you are talking about it sounds like you are on wireless. Have any new cordless phones?

[djoutlaws]

You didn't post any specs about your network. From what you are talking about it sounds like you are on wireless. Have any new cordless phones?

Sorry, I was on wireless, but changed to fully ethernet based today, still no better though.

I have a netgear router connecting the machines.

They can see each other fine, the XBox is listed in the shares in WMP 11, and the PC files can be seen on the XBox, it just refuses to stream them without timing out most of the time (wierd cos not always!), only 1 in 10 times will it work usually.

The odd thing is, it is streaming a movie now just fine and has been for an hour, I had to press it about 6 times before it worked, but once it did start streaming, it plays flawlessly with no drop outs. It's like if I catch it and start a movie in the few seconds its up, it will be ok. So wierd! I've asked on about 5 forums in the last few days, and this is the only place I even have a reply!

[tokenuser]

Can you please post the network configuration for the PC, laptop, and the Xbox ...

Especially:

1. IP Address
2. Netmask
3. Default Gateway (Address)

Might sound basic but it give us something else to help you bug bust with.
Have you enabled any port forwarding on the router?

[crumbles]

Who knows. This is something I'd have to be there to trouble shoot. Doing it over the phone is slow enough, but over a forum is not even worth it.

If I was you (and you were sure that everything is configured correctly) I'd start doing the hardware swap out. Try another router, etc. I had a netgear that had really weird issues once too. Replaced it and everything returned to normal.

[djoutlaws]

Can you please post the network configuration for the PC, laptop, and the Xbox ...

Especially:

1. IP Address
2. Netmask
3. Default Gateway (Address)

Might sound basic but it give us something else to help you bug bust with.
Have you enabled any port forwarding on the router?

No probs, I can find out the IPs from doing a network map in Vista,

Can see the Xbox's

IP: 192.168.0.2
Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.0.1

PC's IP is:

192.168.0.6
Gateway: 192.168.0.1

I'm not sure how to see the PC's netmask though?

[djoutlaws]

Who knows. This is something I'd have to be there to trouble shoot. Doing it over the phone is slow enough, but over a forum is not even worth it.

If I was you (and you were sure that everything is configured correctly) I'd start doing the hardware swap out. Try another router, etc. I had a netgear that had really weird issues once too. Replaced it and everything returned to normal.

Sadly I'm stuck with the netgear as my isp ties to this router, I use Sky in the UK and they won't let you use any other router, grrr. I could borrow a linksys and not connect it to the internet and see if that works though, I can get one tommorrow from a friend.

Are you thinking it could be a router issue?

[djoutlaws]

Can you please post the network configuration for the PC, laptop, and the Xbox ...

Especially:

1. IP Address
2. Netmask
3. Default Gateway (Address)

Might sound basic but it give us something else to help you bug bust with.
Have you enabled any port forwarding on the router?

Can see the Xbox's

IP: 192.168.0.2
Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.0.1

PC's IP is:

192.168.0.6
Gateway: 192.168.0.1

I'm not sure how to see the PC's netmask though?

[djoutlaws]

Ok so I'm now desperate for this to work, so just spent 20 mins on the phone to microsoft.

Their diagnosis - my Xbox must be faulty and I should box it up and return it.

I am about to do this, does that sound right? The xbox live etc. all works fine. But I'm out of ideas. I'm dubious though :confused: