Networking with old and new windows platforms

It's now probably $64,000,000.

But the answer is still just as vague. ;)

The first is what is currently in use and what type of Network it is.

The second is what type of Vista you end up with. If it isn't Business then your answer is most likely Yes it will not work at all.

Personally if the entire LAN is running Win 2000 there is absolutely no reason to move to a Business Class System with Vista and lots of reasons not to. If there are buying Business Class Systems XP would be the Perfect fit not offer any problems and work without destroying productivity.

Of course if they are only looking at off The Shelf Domestic Class Systems forget it it will not work as required in the ideal situation and will not work at all if there is a Server with Win 2000 in place as Vista Home Basic Can Not be joined to a Domain.

Col

I hope you are running Vista Business or Ultimate and the only two things that come to mind are Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) Responder (I am not even sure if it works with win2k) and lowering the Authentication level to LM and NTLM.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=4F01A31D-EE46-481E-BA11-37F485FA34EA&displaylang=en#Overview

You may have to lower the authentication level Vista uses by following the directions below.

Click Start, Run and type secpol.msc and press Enter, run it as administrator if required.

Under Local Policies\Security Options

By right clicking and selecting Properties, change the value of Network Security: LAN Manager authentication level from Send NTVLM2 responses only to LM and NTLM - use NTLMv2 session security if negotiated. Click OK and exit out, restart the PC.

Keep us informed as to your progress if you require further assistance. ;) :D