When you enable file and printer sharing in Windows Vista it automatically opens the ports needed to share files or printer in the Windows Vista firewall for you.

What if you’re not using the Windows Vista firewall or you’re using a hardware firewall like a router, firewall appliance, Linux firewall, or a Cisco PIX?

Below is a table that lists all the ports that need to be opened in Windows Vista to share files and printers. You can manually open these ports to enable file and printer sharing on your computer. (more…)

This tweak is for broad band cable connections on stand alone machines with WinXP professional version - might work on Home version also. It will probably work with networked machines as well but I haven’t tried it in that configuration. This is for windows XP only, it does not work on win2000. I use 3 Com cards so I don’t know how it works on others at this point. It does not involve editing the registry. This tweak assumes that you have let WinXP create a connection on install for your cable modem/NIC combination and that your connection has tcp/ip - QoS - file and print sharing - and client for Microsoft networks , only, installed. It also assumes that WinXP will detect your NIC and has in-box drivers for it. If it doesn’t do not try this.
In the “My Network Places” properties (right click on the desktop icon and choose properties), highlight the connection then at the menu bar choose “Advanced” then “Advanced Settings”. Uncheck the two boxes in the lower half for the bindings for File and Printer sharing and Client for MS networks. Click OK (more…)

3com card, cable connections,