Wireless network file sharing between XP and W2k PCs

  • Thread starter Thread starter John Ackerman
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J

John Ackerman

I have a wireless network setup with two computers; a
desktop running XP and a laptop running W2K. They share
internet access through a wireless broadband router to a
cable modem. The desktop connects to the router by
hardwire; the laptop via wireless. I would like to be
able to share files between the two PCs and the printer
connected to the desktop. Is this possible? Where can I
find the instructions or help info needed to do this?
Thanks.

John Ackerman
 
John,

The fact that one computer is connected via wireless and the other one is
hardwired is irrelevant; they are still on the network and you may share
files and other resources. You need to create identical accounts on both
machines and then share the resources.

Ovidiu Popa
MVP
 
John said:
I have a wireless network setup with two computers; a
desktop running XP and a laptop running W2K. They share
internet access through a wireless broadband router to a
cable modem. The desktop connects to the router by
hardwire; the laptop via wireless. I would like to be
able to share files between the two PCs and the printer
connected to the desktop. Is this possible? Where can I
find the instructions or help info needed to do this?
Thanks.

John Ackerman
Click to expand...

Sure - it does not matter whether the PCs are wired or wireless or
one of each; the way to set up a workgroup is the same. Enable
DHCP serving on the router, and set each PC to be a DHCP client.
On both PCs: enable TCP/IP, enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP, disable
NetBEUI, disable IPX/SPX, enable F&P sharing, enable Client for
M$ networking, and check that both PCs have the same workgroup name.
Permanently disable ICF on XP PCs, and temporarily remove all
firewall and antivirus apps on both.

Try to get file sharing working first, since printer sharing uses
lots of the same code and also uses some non-M$ code. On each PC,
create a non-root folder with a short simple folder name, and mark it
to be shared with a short simple share name; make sure that Everyone
can do everything to that shared folder. If possible, set up both
PCs with the same credentials (username/password). Next, try to
map a network drive from each PC to the share on the other PC.

Once file sharing works, you can experiment with it a bit to see
what works and what doesn't. Next, printer sharing: most times,
printer sharing is straightforward, but some printer vendors do not
support sharing printers between different OSs.

If you don't succeed at first, don't be surprised: there are dozens of
ways to screw up a net. But keep in mind that lots of ordinary folks
have made sharing work.
 
"John Ackerman" said:
I have a wireless network setup with two computers; a
desktop running XP and a laptop running W2K. They share
internet access through a wireless broadband router to a
cable modem. The desktop connects to the router by
hardwire; the laptop via wireless. I would like to be
able to share files between the two PCs and the printer
connected to the desktop. Is this possible? Where can I
find the instructions or help info needed to do this?
Thanks.

John Ackerman
Click to expand...

Run the Network Setup Wizard on XP and tell it that the computer
connects to the Internet through a "residential gateway". The Wizard
will make all of the necessary settings on that computer and make the
printer available as a shared network printer:

XP ICS - Starting the Network Setup Wizard
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/networksetupwiz.htm

XP's Wizard won't run on W2K, so configure it's network settings
manually. The default TCP/IP settings should be fine. Setting its
workgroup name to the same name that you gave the XP Wizard will make
networking a little easier.

Create matching user accounts on both computers, as Ovidiu said. That
isn't necessary to access XP from W2K, but it is necessary to access
W2K from XP.
--
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
 
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