laptop to pc network

Number of posts: 3 Registration date: 2008-10-14

laptop and pc both XP.
i connect the laptop via netgear router and have added a card to the PC and connect via netgear dongel,the dongel sees the router and i have set the wep key for both and can connect with both at the same time. Laughing

How do i set them up so as i can access files folders etc from one to the other? study

Subject: Re: laptop to pc network Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:36 pm

Make sure that both computers are in the same Workgroup and I'd suggest using a name of your own rather than the default names, which are MSHOME for XP Home Edition and WORKGROUP for XP Pro.

Set any folders that you want to have available over the network as "shared" by right clicking and selecting the Sharing & Security option. At least one folder should be set as "shared" in each PC, to help to get them communicating, and any firewall software needs to be configured to allow access to the networked computers, which may involve adding their IP addresses in a "trusted" section.

That should be basically it and in "My Network Places" in each PC you should have icons for both of the PCs. Try that and see, then post back if you have problems. Wink

_________________
Mike

Number of posts: 3 Registration date: 2008-10-14

mgmcc wrote:

Make sure that both computers are in the same Workgroup and I'd suggest using a name of your own rather than the default names, which are MSHOME for XP Home Edition and WORKGROUP for XP Pro.

done this,both are named the same

Set any folders that you want to have available over the network as "shared" by right clicking and selecting the Sharing & Security option. At least one folder should be set as "shared" in each PC, to help to get them communicating, and any firewall software needs to be configured to allow access to the networked computers, which may involve adding their IP addresses in a "trusted" section.

three folders in laptop to shared and one in pc to shared
added in trust zone on both lap/pc my ip address named the same in both firewalls.the names the same as the computers name.
Allowed icons for UPnP in my network places on both.
i can see netgear router in both in my network places.
In the pc i can also see a folder i added to share.
in the laptop i dont see any folders?
I dont have icons in any of the my networks in either computer?

That should be basically it and in "My Network Places" in each PC you should have icons for both of the PCs. Try that and see, then post back if you have problems. Wink

Subject: Re: laptop to pc network Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:04 pm

If memory serves me correctly, the first time of setting up a network you may have to install the network drivers "first" from a XP disc.
Insert the XP disc then when it has opened select the option of setting a network.
At the end of the setup process there are several options:

One is to save the settings to a floppy disc to transfer and install onto a second PC.
Another option is to "Quit" as the second PC does not need the driver.
(I have always used this second option, by just inserting the XP into the second PC and selecting the "Setup Network" option again)

But most importantly as mentioned by Mike:
Make sure that both computers have the "SAME WORKGROUP NAME"
of which anything will do, providing they are the same on each PC.

********************
Mike:
Just out of curiosity, why do you suggest using your own workgroup name, instead of the default MS Home name etc?

Quote:

and I'd suggest using a name of your own rather than the default names,

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If it ain't broke.
Don't fix it.

Number of posts: 3 Registration date: 2008-10-14

i got as far as:
on PC i could see router,and the three folders from the PC i wanted to share,but couldn't open them even from the PC they were on in My Network as it hung?
The Laptop,i could see the folders i wanted to share and could open them from the laptop.
i logged onto the router and noted that they both had different ip addresses.
I have undid the setting i put on and will have another go tomorrow as i need to sleep as i am up very early tomorrow for work and don't want to make a mistake.
Thanks for the help so far.
.
Ill be back

Subject: Re: laptop to pc network Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:21 pm

mcgoo wrote:

1. i logged onto the router and noted that they both had different ip addresses.

2. on PC i could see router,

3. and the three folders from the PC i wanted to share,

4. The Laptop,i could see the folders i wanted to share and could open them from the laptop.

5. Ill be back

1. Yes each PC will have a different IP address, this is quite normal (in fact you would be in big trouble if they did not)

2. You should not be seeing the router (or do you mean something else?)

3. Did you "Right click" and select the "Sharing" option followed by ticking the box/s of what is allowed?

4. But I take it you are not able to open the Laptop folders on the PC?

5. Yes, hopefully "Arnie".

CHECK YOUR ANTIVIRUS to make sure it is not blocking the other PC or Laptop.

***
Just a suggestion:
Please go back to the start of Mikes' post & mine and have another read (especially mine with regards to installing the Network driver) but don't worry if you have already followed Mikes' advice, install the Network drivers on both PC's "now", it will still work.

Plus, do not confuse yourself with selecting too many folders to share all at once, just select one, when you can see and open that one on the other PC/Laptop, then do the same with the other folders.
Then, start the sharing process on the other PC.
I think it has all been covered but you may have skipped a section.

Although the first-time I ever tried to set-up a network (I ended-up getting someone in) then saw how easy it was (should have been).

***
Just to re-cap:
a) Install the "Setup a Network" from the XP disc on both PC & Laptop. (Make sure both have the same workgroup name).
b) Right click the folder/s to share and select the sharing option in all shared folders.
c) Refresh or re-boot the PC/Laptop.

_________________
If it ain't broke.
Don't fix it.

Subject: Re: laptop to pc network Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:31 pm

oldfogy wrote:

If memory serves me correctly, the first time of setting up a network you may have to install the network drivers "first" from a XP disc.
Insert the XP disc then when it has opened select the option of setting a network.

I've never installed anything additional from the XP CD in order to network PCs confused

oldfogy wrote:

But most importantly as mentioned by Mike:
Make sure that both computers have the "SAME WORKGROUP NAME"
of which anything will do, providing they are the same on each PC.

This is strongly recommended as it makes things much easier, although Windows XP does actually support multiple Workgroups.

oldfogy wrote:

Just out of curiosity, why do you suggest using your own workgroup name, instead of the default MS Home name etc?

I have known instances where computers haven't recognised each other over a network and changing the Workgroup name has solved the problem. This probably has more to do with the fact the the name has been changed, forcing Windows to reconfigure the network, than what the workgroup name actually is.

_________________
Mike

Subject: Re: laptop to pc network Fri Oct 24, 2008 7:12 am

mcgoo wrote:

on PC i could see router,and the three folders from the PC i wanted to share,but couldn't open them even from the PC they were on in My Network as it hung?

Start off by setting only the Shared Documents folder in each PC as a network share, by right clicking it and selecting the "Sharing & Security" option. Share the folder and also tick the second box to "Allow network users to change my files". (The Shared Documents folder is a special folder which is automatically shared by all User Accounts set up in a PC, but it still needs to be set as "shared" for network purposes.)

If you are using XP Professional, ensure that you are using "Simple File Sharing". Open Windows Explorer and, from its menus, select "Tools > Folder options" then the View tab. Scroll down to the very last item in the Advanced section - "Use simple file sharing (recommended)" - and ensure its box is ticked. This option is only available in XP Pro.

_________________
Mike

Subject: Re: laptop to pc network Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:46 pm

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned, but are you using "XP Home or XP Pro" ?
Apparently there can be a difference in the setup.

Try the 2nd paragraph down, might just be worth having a read here:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/quick_guide_to_simple_file_sharing.htm

*****************
edit
I think I may have posted this in the wrong thread, so if it's not relevant, then sorry for that.

I'll post this thread link into the other Networking problem thread.
(Where i think I meant to post it anyway)

_________________
If it ain't broke.
Don't fix it.

Subject: Re: laptop to pc network Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:17 pm

oldfogy wrote:

mcgoo wrote:

2. on PC i could see router,

2. You should not be seeing the router (or do you mean something else?)

When I check Network folder on Vista I can see the router and any other pc's on my network.
This vista pc being connected to the router via ethernet.

When it was XP that I was using I could also see the router .... I think Network Places .

It is likely to do with whether UPnP is enabled.

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ANNE R