connections via network without Internet access

[Guest]

I set up a network with five computers and a wireless router/modem combo.
Two desktops hardwired to the router/modem via Ethernet cables, two laptops
using wireless, and the fifth computer is a desktop on a wireless PCI card.
All computers see each other, file sharing etc is enabled, all is well. All
five computers are running XP Pro SP2 with all updates and IE7.
However, I want to use my "main" desktop to connect to the fifth (wireless
desktop) which I would like to put in another room without a monitor. (I'm
going to use it like an iPod, connected to our stereo with only music files
on it.)
I read that both Remote desktop and Remote assistance require the use of an
internet connection to accomplish their connections. Is this true, or can I
remote in somehow to the fifth computer without going through the internet,
e.g. through the router only? I can map a network drive if I must, to allow
this, but don't know how to accomplish what I need to do. Any help or advice
appreciated.

 

[Sooner Al [MVP]]

I set up a network with five computers and a wireless router/modem combo.
Two desktops hardwired to the router/modem via Ethernet cables, two
laptops
using wireless, and the fifth computer is a desktop on a wireless PCI
card.
All computers see each other, file sharing etc is enabled, all is well.
All
five computers are running XP Pro SP2 with all updates and IE7.
However, I want to use my "main" desktop to connect to the fifth (wireless
desktop) which I would like to put in another room without a monitor. (I'm
going to use it like an iPod, connected to our stereo with only music
files
on it.)
I read that both Remote desktop and Remote assistance require the use of
an
internet connection to accomplish their connections. Is this true, or can
I
remote in somehow to the fifth computer without going through the
internet,
e.g. through the router only? I can map a network drive if I must, to
allow
this, but don't know how to accomplish what I need to do. Any help or
advice
appreciated.

You can easily run Remote Desktop over a local network and run your PC
"headless"...

For help with Remote Desktop see these pages...

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.org/RemoteDesktop/RemoteDesktopSetupandTroubleshooting.html
http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.org/RemoteDesktop/RDP6ConfigRecommendations.html

Please post further questions concerning Remote Desktop to the
microsoft.public.windowsxp.work_remotely news group. Make sure you get this
setup using a monitor and keyboard before you go headless. You will also
need to test your PC to make sure it will boot headless. Normally you can go
into the BIOS and disable stop on boot errors which will allow you to boot
headless, ie. no monitor or keyboard. You call the PC using its LAN IP
address.

--

Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...

 

[Guest]

Thank you Sooner Al. Much appreciated. I did not realize that the desktop
might encounter a stop on boot error being "headless". Never ocurred to me.