Network Media Center and XP Home

[Tracy]

I'm looking at getting a new computer and using my home network that I
currently have set up. Currently I have XP Home on both computers and they
network just fine.

Are there any problems that I might run into if I have Windows XP Home (SP2)
on my laptop and Windows Media Center on a new (not yet purchased) Desktop
computer?


Tracy

(don't use Reply To Sender, please use Reply To Group)

 

[Chuck]

I'm looking at getting a new computer and using my home network that I
currently have set up. Currently I have XP Home on both computers and they
network just fine.

Are there any problems that I might run into if I have Windows XP Home (SP2)
on my laptop and Windows Media Center on a new (not yet purchased) Desktop
computer?


Tracy

(don't use Reply To Sender, please use Reply To Group)

Tracy,

Windows XP Home and MCE will network just fine. XP MCE has the same components
as XP Pro, except that MCE 2005 won't join a domain. With Simple File Sharing
enabled, the MCE system will work like XP Home.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/11/windows-xp-which-edition-should-i.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/11/windows-xp-which-edition-should-i.html

 

[Tracy]

One more question then:
What does it mean by "join a domain" ?
I read the Microsoft page about it, but what IS a "domain" then?
I have 2 computer networked together in my workgroup called MSHOME.

Tracy

 

[Chuck]

One more question then:
What does it mean by "join a domain" ?
I read the Microsoft page about it, but what IS a "domain" then?
I have 2 computer networked together in my workgroup called MSHOME.

Tracy

Tracy,

In a workgroup, each computer keeps track of who is able to access its shared
resources. If you have a workgroup, and you want to add another person to have
access, you have to go to each computer in the workgroup, and add that person.
One computer at a time, for each computer.

A domain is similar to a workgroup, except you have a domain controller to
identify each person. When you want to add another person to have access, you
go to the domain controller, and add that person. One step to add, and give
access to all computers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/windows-networking.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/windows-networking.html

 

[Tracy]

Tracy,

In a workgroup, each computer keeps track of who is able to access its
shared
resources. If you have a workgroup, and you want to add another person to
have
access, you have to go to each computer in the workgroup, and add that
person.
One computer at a time, for each computer.

A domain is similar to a workgroup, except you have a domain controller to
identify each person. When you want to add another person to have access,
you
go to the domain controller, and add that person. One step to add, and
give
access to all computers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/windows-networking.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/windows-networking.html

This ia a little confusing to me:
a.. If your network includes a special Server that validates access for
another Server, you have a Domain.

a.. If validation of access on your Network simply consists of setting up an
account on the Server itself (and maybe a matching account on the Client),
then you have a Workgroup


1. cable internet modem connected to the router
2. the desktop connected to the router and the lapop connected to the
router
3. the desktop can see and modify files on the laptop and vice-versa
4. My Network Places show the Laptop and Desktop are part of MSHOME

then does that mean I have a Workgroup and NO domain?
Or is the MSHOME part of the workgroup and the workgroup is part of the one
and only domain?

Of this showing:
My Network Places/Entire Network/Microsoft Windows Network/MSHOME/Desktop
(and Laptop)
which one is considered my "domain"?

Tracy

 

[Chuck]

This ia a little confusing to me:
a.. If your network includes a special Server that validates access for
another Server, you have a Domain.

a.. If validation of access on your Network simply consists of setting up an
account on the Server itself (and maybe a matching account on the Client),
then you have a Workgroup


1. cable internet modem connected to the router
2. the desktop connected to the router and the lapop connected to the
router
3. the desktop can see and modify files on the laptop and vice-versa
4. My Network Places show the Laptop and Desktop are part of MSHOME

then does that mean I have a Workgroup and NO domain?
Or is the MSHOME part of the workgroup and the workgroup is part of the one
and only domain?

Of this showing:
My Network Places/Entire Network/Microsoft Windows Network/MSHOME/Desktop
(and Laptop)
which one is considered my "domain"?

Tracy

Tracy,

Both domains and workgroups are collections of computers. Do you have a domain
controller, which runs Server 2000 or Server 2003? If not, you simply have a
workgroup. All that you need is a workgroup.

Look at My Computer - Properties - Computer Name tab. Is the line below Full
computer name labeled "Domain:" or "Workgroup:"?

 

[Tracy]

Tracy,

Both domains and workgroups are collections of computers. Do you have a
domain
controller, which runs Server 2000 or Server 2003? If not, you simply
have a
workgroup. All that you need is a workgroup.

Look at My Computer - Properties - Computer Name tab. Is the line below
Full
computer name labeled "Domain:" or "Workgroup:"?

It says Workgroup
I' went from Windows 98 to Windows XP Home...no other version in any way,
shape, or form in between.

Tracy

 

[Chuck]

It says Workgroup
I' went from Windows 98 to Windows XP Home...no other version in any way,
shape, or form in between.

OK, Tracy,

If you have a workgroup, then you should have no problem with XP MCE. Don't
worry about the domain issue. Enable Simple File Sharing, and you should have
no problems sharing files.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html