vista file printer sharing w98 wme

My VISTA desktop does not communicate well with my older Windows computers.
FILE SHARING: My desktops with W98 will share files to the VISTA desktop; but only if the files are not password protected. When I attempt to logon to the W98 files from the VISTA, I usually get a "Logon Unsuccessful" message. This is sporadic, and I have been able to logon sometimes. I am able to "map the network drive" and logon to the mapped drive with the VISTA using a user name and password. This too is sporadic; however, and doesn't always work.
PRINTER SHARING: My WME laptop has the printer attached. The VISTA desktop network displays the printer, runs the printer software, and says it is printing. Unfortunately, the print goes to another planet in another galaxy, never to be seen again.
VISTA SHARING: When I try to logon to the VISTA from WME or W98, the Network Neighborhood shows the VISTA and its Shares. When I click a VISTA share, the hourglass goes round and round for a long time. Eventually, the Network Neighborhood browser shows VISTA folders with a single letter name likd "D" that are not listed within the shared folder on the VISTA browser. Clicking on the "D" returns a "You do not have permission" message. I have set all the VISTA security and permissions settings to minimums; but have never been able to logon to the VISTA box from W98 or WME boxes.
VISTA looks good and runs good. Just have problems with FILE AND PRINT SHARING.

PRINTER SHARING: My WME laptop has the printer attached. The VISTA desktop network displays the printer, runs the printer software, and says it is printing. Unfortunately, the print goes to another planet in another galaxy, never to be seen again.

many are experiencing this same problem including me
I had two printers connected to an XP machine that I wanted to connect to and print to but have not yet gotten both working. Mysteriously, after installing my laser printer's XP printer driver in compatibility mode (doesn't have a vista driver) and after a couple of reboots it just suddenly showed up as and worked. Unfortunately, my Epson Photo R200 still won't work.
One thing I was told to do was set exceptions in firewall. Go to Security Center in Control Panel and click on Firewall a box will pop up. One tab is exceptions. Make sure File and Printer Sharing is checked. This did not solve my problem but it might yours.

It was already checked. Not the problem solution for me either.
john
"BigK" wrote:

PRINTER SHARING: My WME laptop has the printer attached. The VISTA desktop network displays the printer, runs the printer software, and says it is printing. Unfortunately, the print goes to another planet in another galaxy, never to be seen again.
many are experiencing this same problem including me
I had two printers connected to an XP machine that I wanted to connect to and print to but have not yet gotten both working. Mysteriously, after installing my laser printer's XP printer driver in compatibility mode (doesn't have a vista driver) and after a couple of reboots it just suddenly showed up as and worked. Unfortunately, my Epson Photo R200 still won't work.
One thing I was told to do was set exceptions in firewall. Go to Security Center in Control Panel and click on Firewall a box will pop up. One tab is exceptions. Make sure File and Printer Sharing is checked. This did not solve my problem but it might yours.