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Does RAX120 replace XR500
Please forgive the bold text.
Not a router expert. Have to replace XR500 (incompatible with W11) with something as close as possible .... particularly USB ports for HDDs to be seen on home network. I ONLY am familiar with XR500/READYSHARE so now you know my limitation. Would
RAX120 — Nighthawk AX12 12-Stream WiFi Router
be recommendable or some other product? I just want to have the same feature I had on the XR500 re: external HDDs, Thank you in advance.
This thread is SOLVED. I have requested Moderator mark it so. Turns out, XR500 Readyshare is compatible w/ W11. I just fixed it, but don't know exactly how I did it. If you are having the same problem I did, don't give up. It's all hidden in there somewhere within W11. Good luck.
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Can't comment on another router but you may just need to enable SMB 1 on Windows 11 for it to work. Windows Search Bar - Turn Windows features on or off > Scroll down to SMB 1.0 and enable, see if it works after that
There is a tremendous amount of contradicting information on the 'net about XR500/READYSHARE/WINDOWS 11. Tons of users having problems on W11. Heard also of Netgear no longer supporting Readyshare. I'm pretty sure they stopped supporting the XR500 .... but Readyshare???
So, hard to get a straight answer. EVERYTHING works great on W10. W11 Pro will not even find Readyshare. Yes, SMB 1 is on. It's hard to remember but I vaguely remember it did but that would have been a long time ago. I'm at wits end with this. In your amazing wisdom, can you make any comment? You have always been so helpful. Thank you in advance.
ReadySHARE isn't one of our features so I couldn't say for certain if there is a specific reason it's not working on W11 BUT:
- On W11 they have it recommended now & by default the network set as public, you'll need to set this to private for sharing to work (Network & Internet > Up top where it says properties for your active connection it'll say public or private, you can click that specifically to change it - keep in mind if you use ethernet and WiFi interchangeably that one may be set as public and the other as private and vice versa)
- Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > Advanced Sharing Settings > Private Networks (once you've made the change) > Network Discovery On
I don't know if that will help or not, however, I use an Apple Time Capsule as a pseudo home streaming server and it only uses SMB 1.0 like ReadySHARE and everything I mentioned, as far as I am aware is what I have enabled/changed to make it work on W11.
Also with Win11 there has been some issues going on with Privacy settings as well:
I've noticed changes and differences between Win 10 and Win 11 and 11 being more problematic. Something about the background running services maybe failing on Win 11.
I noticed that when selected Private, other PCs on same network are need but the master PC or the viewing PC that your working on is NOT seen on the networking window. Win 10, you see ALL PCs including the master PC that your working with. MS hasn't really responded to changes in behaviors.
Yes if you have SMB 1.0 enabled in Win 11, Readyshare resources should be accessible from networking or map drive operations. How I access my 2012 era NAS devices.
I need to digest what you have said. I do have some 'news'. First I need to explain something. W10 Explorer/This PC shows this:
See Network Locations (3)? I rarely click on that because I have the two HDs mapped to M: and N: Out of sight, out of mind. If I DO click on it, I get 4 folders (Browse Folders, Music, Pictures, Video). Open Browse. New window/2 folders/sdb1 AND sda2. Hmmm, they each will open revealing each HD content on the router.
This is the same W10 machine as above:
The router shows:
I don't see anything about SDB1 or SDB2 but that's OK with me because everything works on W10 (but I don't know where those identifiers are coming from).
Now, on to W11: I did a W/Update repair installation, W11PRO, and all the other stuff. Disk Cleanup, check for more updates, SMB 1, blah, blah, blah. The word READYSHARE does not appear anywhere on that machine. It does reveal SDB1 and SDA2 folders (like W10 does). Pretty much same as W10 except no READYSHARE shows up .... anywhere. This is 'bout' the best I know to do. Out of ideas.
Oh yeah. Digest. Ganamens, I am 80 years old. Could not follow. I never leave my house with a computer of mine. If MS wanted to confuse someone, they did it with W11. All I know is W10, Private Always. W11PRO, what tha?????? Here is what I have right now. Tell me how to fix it please. I don't do Starbucks, libraries, public parks, Veteran's Hospitals. Someone mentioned BOTH (huh?) Nope, not me, just at home on my home network. So, please take a look and advise.
Still no READYSHARE ON W11I guess this explains W11 folder sharing fiasco. But how is it one can have BOTH turned on at the same time?? W10 is one or the other. W11, three choices ... one or the other or both. What th'??????? Tell me, someone .... please.
Windows 11 can be configured to operate in either **public** or **private** network modes, which affects how your device interacts with other devices on the network.
## Public Network
When your device is set to a public network, it is treated as being in a more secure environment. This setting is typically used when you are connected to networks in public places, such as coffee shops or airports. Key features include:- **Network Discovery**: Disabled, meaning your device will not be visible to other devices on the network.
- **File and Printer Sharing**: Disabled, enhancing security by preventing others from accessing your files or printers.
- **Firewall Settings**: More restrictive, providing additional protection against unauthorized access.## Private Network
In contrast, a private network setting is used for trusted networks, such as your home or office. This mode allows for easier sharing and communication between devices. Key features include:- **Network Discovery**: Enabled, allowing your device to be visible to others on the same network.
- **File and Printer Sharing**: Enabled, making it easier to share resources with other devices.
- **Firewall Settings**: Less restrictive, allowing for more seamless communication between devices.### Summary Table
| Feature | Public Network | Private Network |
|-----------------------------|----------------------|----------------------|
| Network Discovery | Disabled | Enabled |
| File and Printer Sharing | Disabled | Enabled |
| Firewall Settings | More restrictive | Less restrictive |Choosing between public and private network settings depends on your environment and security needs. If you're in a trusted location, a private network is more convenient, while a public network offers enhanced security in less secure environments.
You've done all that, that's fine. It might be that W11 is more security concious and that you need to enable admin password protection for the drives on the router, then re-add the drives on W11 with the credentials and see if it works
Thank you. Will give that a try. Can you answer the question? ... W11. Private network on, Public on (both on) or Private on, Public off? Unlike W10, W11 CAN have both on. Sorry, but I don't get it.
If you're referring to your above screenshot, that's different but you've got all that set to allow what you want anyway, maybe too much even - as far as selecting between Private & Public there is only the two options, not a Private & Public option as far as I am aware.
I'm giving up on W11/Readyshare. Cannot find a solution. I THINK it worked a long time ago, but not sure.
W11, unlike W10 can have both Public and Private settings. I just found this out tonight .... thank you CrimpOn
Brilliant answer. Thank you. I gather since W11 CAN have both on, it's advisable to HAVE both on(?)
I hate to be dense headed, but with the THREE choices, I don't know which to implement. I have a layman's sense the best for me is PRIVATE ON .... Public off(???) or both ON? Again, sorry for my ignorance.
My understanding of Windows 11 is that the Firewall is always "on" for 'Local' and 'Public' connections. The key is that the Firewall allows some applications to accept connections and other cannot.
The default is that no connections are accepted from either Local or Public networks. i.e. "leave me alone".
This can be frustrating, for example, when we attempt to 'ping' the computer and find that it does not respond. The solution is to tell the Firewall to accept ICMP ('ping') from devices on the Local network.
I fear that my contribution may have moved the discussion away from the primary topic, i.e. how to get a USB device connected to the router to be accessed from a Windows 11 computer.
(I tend to get distracted by technical details which are not relevant to the primary discussion.)
Yes, Sir. The subject has moved on. My apologies to the Moderator. Again, your technical expertise far exceeds mine.
My understanding of Windows 11 is that the Firewall is always "on" for 'Local' and 'Public' connections.Welp, first of all, I have been saying both can be on at the same time. Does not appear to be true ... ONE OR THE OTHER. (old age). Here is what I have now:
Confusion ... public, private, local, recommended, W10, W11, MICROSOFT(!). W11 was NOT my idea and I hate it. Is that the right choice (yes or no)? Thank you again.
Up to you what to use and do. I've been using Private Network.
Some day Win11 24H2 is hosed up and bugged:
What I found here and posted some on:
At this point, not sure if MS will fix any of this on Win11/24H2. Seems that Win10 was working and not a problem. But thats no longer being supported as it's going EoL. Up to you if you still want to use it. I still have a dual boot Win7/Win10 PC that still works for me if I need it.
I'll get my XR500 online this week and see if this reproduces on mine.
Thank you for the link. Diligently went through all the suggestions but unfortunately no fix.
So got my XR500 off the shelf and hooked it up.
Got a 32Gb USB Thumb Flash drive that was preformatted for FAT32.
Put some files on it.
Connected it to the router in USB1 port.
Powered ON the router and let it come to ready.
Using MS Edge browser, logged into the router.
Router saw the drive:
Checked the work group to make sure it was same as what Windows 11 was using:
Windows Networking was set for Private instead of Public.
Just for kicks, I enabled Media Server as well, however I don't think this was needed:
Opened up Network on the desktop:
Media devices found the XR500.
Opened up another tab in the Network explorer window and copied and pasted \\readyshare from the XR500 USB Storage page into the new tab:
Pressed enter and it displayed the share folder:
Selected the folder with the mouse and the USB drives contents was displayed:
All this in Windows 11 x64 Pro 24H2 PC:
SMB Client v1.0 enabled as well. So USB Storage and ReadyShare is working for me with Win11.
Thank you for all the trouble you have gone to.
Me Duma OS XR500 2,3,3,136 You 2.3.2.134 Interfaces somewhat different.
- I MIGHT have a failing router and maybe not. routerlogin.net on one of 2 W10 machines seems to work flawlessly. 2nd W10 and W11 log in but most of the screens are blank. Just about anything on the left comes up on the right, IN BACKGROUND COLOR but blank. Uhmm that would indicate a computer problem .... on 2 machines. Nuttin wong with router. I agree with that, but on my 2 newest machines??? Don't have any other problems with THEM (except W11 and Readyshare. I don't think there is something wrong with the router or those two machines and this screen rendering in DUMA. Another mystery.
- Back to original question. Is there a newer router (Netgear) I can replace this XR500 with, which allow my 2 HDDs to be accessed?
- I'm getting nowhere with W11 and Readyshare.
