Mac/Windows PCs cannot see each other...

Yes, I realize I've seen related posts. But my mac isn't DOD, Nor is
there an internet problem...

System details: Mini-Mac running 10.4.9. Acer laptop running Windows
Vista.

Anyway, I've got a laptop connected to a Belkin router via WEP, my
mini-Mac is wired to it, they both connect to the internet. (The mini
also is setup for WEP as well, but since it is conveniently located on
the desk with the router at present, I just left it hooked up and
turned off the wireless...)

But they don't see each other. I've tried accessing my Mac via the
computer name it tells me, I've tried using Windows Vista's browse
network, and they just don't see each other.

I originally had the same issues with a Motorola router - which I had
to replace as it started losing internet connections.

I don't really know where to start. Years ago, I had similar
difficulties getting two Windows PCs to see each other across a simple
hub. But once I rebooted several times, both machines (huffing up and
down those stairs in the house I used to live in) they'd finally see
each other and there'd be no further issues...

Appreciate any help or pointers - I've been trying for 3 weeks now
(during my spare time, about 1 to 2 hours a week...)

Ben

 

Define "see" each-other? What protocols do you want to use? What
protocols are enabled? If you know the IP addresses of each box, try to
ping each one from the other. If this does not work you need to fix
your routing.

Service announcements over specific protocols is another matter, but you
will never get there without a route at the IP level.

Assuming Vista browse network is some sort of CIFS/SMB thingy, then make
sure you have "Windows Sharing" enabled in the Sharing System Prefs.

 

Ok, after some "tweaking" of Symantec, I was able to access my wife's
Vista computer using Finder's "Connect to Server", where it accepted
her user/pw to access the "Public" folder - but not the Guest
password, which I guess isn't configured for remote access.

The other way is proving more difficult. I have enabled "Personal File
Sharing" and "Windows Sharing" in Network Prefs, and the PC is now
seeing my computer. But whenever I attempt to sign-on using her
account on my mac ("Julie" is enabled under "Windows sharing") it
gives unable to connect, check username/password.

It then resets the username box to "julie-pc\Julie". This is
confusing, why not just her account on the mac, Julie? It also
truncates my computer name from "BEN-YATES-COMPUTER" TO "BEN-YATES-
COMPU"?

Yes, the connection is smb.

Oh, WAIT!

I just changed the username box to "BEN-YATES-COMPU\Julie" and it is
now working. Why is the computer name being truncated? The full
computer name was the default given by the Mac...

Anyway, why wasn't Network Discovery on the PC able to find the Mac,
and the Mac able to automatically see the PC (like they advertise)?