Xp to/from Vista File Sharing Connection Drops

My network is running, but with one very annoying glitch. When I first turn
on my XP computer (wireless adapter) and Vista computer (wired to router) I
can access files from either computer on the other fine. However, after
about 30 to 60 minutes the connection drops and neither computer appears in
the other computers list of networked computers. I have had some success
unplugging my router for 20 seconds and then plugging it back in, however,
often the only solution is to turn off both computers and restart. What can
I do to prevent the dropped connections? It is almost as if my computer's
network detection falls asleep. I know the problem is the Vista OS because I
have a dual boot confguration and when I boot into XP and do file sharing XP
to XP there is no problem. Any suggestions?

Travis wrote:

> My network is running, but with one very annoying glitch. When I first turn
> on my XP computer (wireless adapter) and Vista computer (wired to router) I
> can access files from either computer on the other fine. However, after
> about 30 to 60 minutes the connection drops and neither computer appears in
> the other computers list of networked computers. I have had some success
> unplugging my router for 20 seconds and then plugging it back in, however,
> often the only solution is to turn off both computers and restart. What can
> I do to prevent the dropped connections? It is almost as if my computer's
> network detection falls asleep. I know the problem is the Vista OS because I
> have a dual boot confguration and when I boot into XP and do file sharing XP
> to XP there is no problem. Any suggestions?

Try turning off the power management on the network adapter (NIC). Go to
Control Panel>System>Hardware>Device Manager. The path might not be as
straightforward as that depending on how you have your Vista set up but
you can type "Device Manager" into the Search box from the Start orb.

In any case, in Device Manager expand the Network Adapters category and
find your NIC. Double-click it to get its Properties. Click on the Power
Management tab and uncheck "Allow Windows to turn off this device when
not in use". Apply/OK out of everything. With Vista, I'm sure you'll be
asked several times during this process to OK the changes from UAC -
obviously, OK them.

Now see if things work.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User