HI have two computers. The first is P4 with XP Home (SP2) and the second is
P3 which can boot either Windows 95 or 98.
CAn someone please tell me:
1) Is it possible to network the two that drives can both computers can be
accessed on both computers and...
2) If it is possible, what hardware would I need and how would I be able to
do this.
Thanks
Yes, it's possible -- all versions of Windows can share disks,
folders, and printers with each other. Each computer needs an
Ethernet adapter. Connect the computers to each other using either:
1. A crossover Ethernet cable. A regular Ethernet cable won't work to
connect two computer directly to each other.
or:
2. Two regular Ethernet cables and a network hub, switch, or router.
Run the Network Setup Wizard on the XP Home computer. The Wizard
won't run on Windows 95, so configure the Windows 95 network settings
manually. Go to Control Panel | Network and:
1. Add these network components if they aren't already present:
TCP/IP protocol
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
2. Remove these network components if they're present:
IPX/SPX protocol
NetBEUI protocol
Client for NetWare networks
3. Set the workgroup name to the same name as the Windows XP computer
uses (default for XP is MSHOME).
If there's a DHCP server on your network (broadband router or Windows
XP computer configured as an Internet Connection Sharing host), that's
all there is to it. The DHCP server will automatically assign TCP/IP
properties to Windows 95. For information on ICS, see:
Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics
Otherwise, you need to assign static IP addresses to both computers.
On Windows XP:
1. Open the Network Connections folder.
2. Right click the network connection.
3. Click Properties.
4. Double click "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
5. Click "Use the following IP address".
6. Enter IP address 192.168.0.1.
7. Enter subnet mask 255.255.255.0.
On Windows 95:
1. Go to Control Panel | Network.
2. Double click "TCP/IP->network adapter".
3. Click "Specify an IP address".
4. Enter IP address 192.168.0.2.
5. Enter subnet mask 255.255.255.0.
--
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