In response to the discussion post https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=319284&messageID=3183851 I think it is more appropriate to continue from here.
I am not too sure what the homegroups can do while the usual workgroups can”t. In this case the computers on the network had already been communicating part-way copying files from XPs to Windows 7. All of a sudden messages came up and said to the effect that the Windows 7 had run of storage space while it still had plenty. It didn’t actually say network was lost only when I tried to access from the XP sides I realized that the Windows 7 was not accessible. I don’t remember I had such problem before since I always had mixed operating systems on the network. However I always waited until service pack started to come in before I had the new operating system installed. Perahps this is just a teething problem.
I do have 1 W7, 1 XP Home and 1 XP Pro on the network exactly like yours. I was copying files 13.5 gigs from the XP Home wirelessly and 13.5 gigs from the XP Pro wiredly to the W7 simultaneously. About 20 to 30 minutes down the track, messages came up on both XP systems. It was not they didn’t work at all, just it didn’t keep up a sustained effort.