Many versions of windows = network fail?

[[AK]Nuts]

Are you trying to share folders/files?

[[AK]Swae]

That is the ultimate goal, yes. Right now I can't even get the computers to see each other.

[[AK]Nuts]

I take it you have a router and that all devices are connected to the same router? And that you have DHCP turned on (all the computers are getting IP addresses from the router?

To check the 2nd question:
On each computer, open a DOS window (START / RUN / 'CMD' [ok], then enter 'IPCONFIG' [enter] and be sure that they all have the same IP range (192.168.1.xxx or something similar)

If they are all connected to the router correctly, try a simple ping from one computer to another "ping x.x.x.x" and see if they are at least talking to eachother.

[[AK]Swae]

Yup, 1 router that they are all connected to. I will try your suggestion now, thanks. I've set up networks before with no problems - I'm not sure what the issue is here.

[[AK]StitchJones]

All four computers need to be in the same workgroup. They also need to have the 'Computer Browser' service running. On top of that for file sharing and network folder mapping, I would strongly urge you to have a common account across all machines with the same password for ease of access. Give that account full rights to read/write as needed.

[[AK]Nuts]

Workgroup isn't required for sharing. But username, password, and permissions are important.

Didn't some versions of Windows Vista turn off default file sharing and you had to enable it?

Also, sometimes drive mappings by name may cause a problem (worked for a while, then it would stop working). If this is the case, map by IP address

[[AK]Clay]

Somewhat related to this, would there be a reason why a wireless box (Win 7 Home Premium) works fine when connecting to the Wireless N network router - but when a wired box is turned on (Win 7 ultimate) and connects via ethernet to the router, then the wireless box loses connection to the wireless router?