Hello,
Thanks XrayspeX, did that but I am unclear what should be the outcome. I am not detecting anything different.
Pipexer, thanks for coming back, real time on both machines is the same.
The message I got before was:- From "Search Computer" a box labeled Network Error, the message in the box was "Windows cannot access \\XPComputer"
I hit the diagnostics button and eventualy got:- "Troubleshooting has completed" then "Problems Found" with the message "your computer appears to be correctly configured but the device or resource (XP Computer)is not responding.
Re the printer, which is physically connected to the XP machine, I have done all the "share this printer" routine.
I have run the wizard on the XP machine which ended with a message on a USB key which I stuck in the Windows 8 PC, Windows 8 was not impressed and this did not seem to take me much further on.
The workgroup is the same on both machines.
The XP machine is not listed in the control panel.
I have disabled the 3rd party firewalls.
Aint Windows 8 'orrible?
Is there more I can do please?
nebb

Did you literally type in XPComputer or did you type the actual name of the XP computer in?

there could be a name resolution issue, can you find out the IP address of the computers and try \\IPaddress instead

usually they are going to be something like

\\192.168.1.10
\\192.168.1.11

etc

Edited by Pipexer (Sat 29-Dec-12 17:58:16)

enable Guest access on all machines without a password ?

In reply to a post by nebb:

Thanks XrayspeX, did that but I am unclear what should be the outcome. I am not detecting anything different.

OK, I just found that LLTD on XP helped my networking with Vista, but I can't remember at what stage.

Hello,
Please excuse my absence, family things!
But guess what, this morning having been messing round with my router settings, I reset to factory and now I've got a working network.
I don't know what enabled me to make the connection, which is a shame, but anyway I'm up and running.
Thanks Piperex, XraySpex and Yarwell for your help, I've learned a lot trying out your ideas.
Bye for now.
All the Best
nebb