Networking laptop using Windows XP Home with Desktop using Windows 2000 Professi

[Anthony]

I am no expert. I understand this can be done. Is the
easiest way to upgrade the desktop to XP or can the two
operating systems be made to work together without
upgrading the desktop to XP? A step by step guide is what
is needed.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I am no expert. I understand this can be done. Is the
easiest way to upgrade the desktop to XP or can the two
operating systems be made to work together without
upgrading the desktop to XP? A step by step guide is what
is needed.

There's no need to upgrade -- all versions of Windows can network with
each other.

The default network settings in XP and 2000 are compatible with each
other. Setting the 2000 computer's workgroup name to the same name
that XP uses (XP's default is MSHOME) will make networking a little
easier. No other settings are needed.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Bob Willard]

I am no expert. I understand this can be done. Is the
easiest way to upgrade the desktop to XP or can the two
operating systems be made to work together without
upgrading the desktop to XP? A step by step guide is what
is needed.

It can be done. All versions of XP, and of W9x, and even W3.11,
can networked with each other. For a workgroup on a LAN, it is
easiest if all PCs use TCP/IP and no other protocol, with
NetBIOS over TCP/IP enabled; and F&P sharing and M$ client enabled
on all; and with the same (identical) workgroup name but with
unique computer names. All PCs must be in the same IP subnet:
for IPA=a.b.c.d, all must have the same a.b.c, and the d's must
be unique, and all PCs must have the same IP mask (typically set
to 255.255.255.0); the easiest way to form a IP subnet is with
a router with DHCP serving enabled, and each PC as a DHCP client.
While trying to set up a net, completely disable all firewall
apps (which may mean temporarily uninstalling them); it sometimes
helps to also uninstall AV apps.

 

[Guest]

MVP-Steve,
I am having the same problem as the 1st poster but reveresed. I have my
desktop on XPhome and my laptop is 2000. I had it networked before but I
since got a new mb and amd64, and new hd.
I have tried damn near everythign and I can't get the lappy to connect to
the desktop. I can ping it from a command line and I can find the desktop on
the network. When I click on the desktop I get "The network path is not
found"

I have undone the XP firewall, I have checked tcp/ip file sharing, add
network place, set up new home network, & I even changed the workgroup name
to try something different. I am stumped.

Any help you could give would be great.