Networking 2 XP machines

[Ed]

I have two XP Home SP-2 machines (a desktop and a laptop) connected
via a wired router to share a single cable broadband connection.

I would like to network these two computers together for file sharing
and enable the laptop to use the printer connected to the desktop.

Looking at the help supplied with XP, it seems to suggest that this
can be done with the router and a hub. Others have told me that all I
need is the router and not the hub.

Question-1... Can I do this with my existing router and not have to
get a hub?

Question-2... Is the XP Wizard for setting up a network between two
computers lead one through the process without leaving any dangling
and/or unanswered questions? Reason I ask is that I am totally
network setup stupid and don't want to get in over my head and screw
both systems up.

None of the help areas show exactly what the wizard will be leading
one through.......

I would like a play by play before starting the process so as not to
have any surprises....

Regards,
RD

 

[barry]

I have two XP Home SP-2 machines (a desktop and a laptop) connected
via a wired router to share a single cable broadband connection.

I would like to network these two computers together for file sharing
and enable the laptop to use the printer connected to the desktop.

Looking at the help supplied with XP, it seems to suggest that this
can be done with the router and a hub. Others have told me that all I
need is the router and not the hub.

Question-1... Can I do this with my existing router and not have to
get a hub?

heh, it depends. Technically I'd say you need a hub, but most home
routers come with inbuilt switches (a type of hub) nowadays. This seems
to have blurred the definitions for some of what defines a hub / switch
/ router. So, you need to find out if your router is a pure router, or
if it has an inbuilt switch or hub. It probably does.

Question-2... Is the XP Wizard for setting up a network between two
computers lead one through the process without leaving any dangling
and/or unanswered questions? Reason I ask is that I am totally
network setup stupid and don't want to get in over my head and screw
both systems up.

Not ever used it to be honest. I'd imagine it would work! And anyway,
we're always here

 

[Guest]

Currently you have a NETWORK.

Both PCs are able to access the internet[work] and the router communicates
to both.

So, simply run your Network setup wizard and choose the appropriate
configuration that matches your network environment and away you go!

 

[HillBillyBuddhist]

|I have two XP Home SP-2 machines (a desktop and a laptop) connected
| via a wired router to share a single cable broadband connection.
|
| I would like to network these two computers together for file sharing
| and enable the laptop to use the printer connected to the desktop.
|

| Regards,
| RD

As someone else said you're already networked through your router. All you
need to do is make the appropriate Windows settings to share files.

I think you'll find www.ezlan.net easy to follow.

--
D

I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
I was just trying to help.
Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
advice herein.
No warranty is expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
See store for details.

Remove shoes to E-mail.

 

[Ed]

I think you'll find www.ezlan.net easy to follow.

Thanks for the link... I found a lot of info there that was missing
from the XP help area and not even touched on with the setup Wizard.

Okay, I used the Wizard and setup the network. Had to figure a few
things out myself as the wizard and help didn’t cover everything but I
got it up and running.

I enabled file sharing for 2 folders, one each on each computer called
Xfer Folder located in each computer’s My Documents folder. The Xfer
Folder is the only folder setup for file sharing on each computer for
security purposes in case a spook slips in through the broadband
connection.

I also enabled the sharing of the printer hooked up to the desktop so
the laptop could use it. It works fine in the tests except I do
notice that it takes a little longer to start printing when sending a
document to it from the laptop compared to sending a document to it
from the desktop. But I can live with that.

So when I open My Network Places on each computer, I shows two places:
Desktop: Xfer Folder
Laptop: Xfer Folder

Now the question….. I can copy files from one computer to the other
but cannot send files to one computer from the other. Let me say that
another way…. If there is a file on the Desktop that I want to
transfer TO the Laptop, I have to be on the laptop copying it FROM the
desktop. Also, if there is a file on the Laptop that I want to
transfer TO the Desktop, I have to be on the Desktop copying it FROM
the Laptop. If I am on the Desktop and try to copy a file TO the
Laptop, I get an error that states:

Cannot copy [filename]: Access Denied.
Make sure the disk is not full or write protected
And that the file is not currently in use.

If I am on the Laptop and try to copy a file TO the Desktop, I get the
same error.

Is this normal? Can you only copy files FROM and not TO on a network?

Thanks in advance
Ed