Home network connection. XP desktop to Vista laptop?

Question

Quite simply: I have a internet connected desktop with XP OS and a laptop with Vista OS. I want to connect the laptop to the desktop and share the internet connection if possible as I want to share files from the desktop to the laptop (the laptop has a larger hard drive) I know I can just share files via a serial/COM cable but it would be of extra benefit if I could have both computers connected to the internet

How can I set this up WITHOUT a router? I know it can be done, but just don't know how. I am competent with computers but totally new to the network and file sharing world, so please be gentle :)

Many thanks in advance

Answer 1

You need a router. Simple as that. They have to both be connected to the same router so you can use the router as a median for transferring information between the two computers.

Answer 2

It can be done without a router but you will need a hub or a switch instead of a router both of which are less secure then a router.

Using a serial port is an option but a very slow one and may not work with Vista.

Your best option is to just buy a wireless router and set it up the right way.

Answer 3

How do I propel a golf cart without an engine?

Get a router... they are not that expensive... it will allow you to create your own sub-net... and give both computers access to each others resources AND the INTERNET.

You can then use REMOTE DESKTOP to actually SEE and INTERACT with the DESKTOP of the computer you're NOT sitting at.

Save up - or ask for a router for your birthday.  To do it any other way is to have a "Flintstone's Car".

Answer 4

you are going to do it by turning on the internet sharing feature in xp.  you may need to get a second nic card for your desktop.  your first card talks to the mode, that card then does essentially a router broadcas to the second card, which is set up to have an internal address.  then you are either going to have a crossover cable to go to the laptop, or you are going to get a small 5 port hub and have the second card as well as the laptop connect using straight thru cables. then when you turn off your desktop, your laptop will not be able to connect.

add up the cost and hassle of working ics and you can get a linksys wireless g router for 50.00, plug the modem into the wan port of the router, attach your laptop and the desktop with straight thru cables, or the laptop via wifi, follow the basic instructions to get the router configured with security and you are done. you can then add a printer to the router via wifi or a cable and a usb to ethernet converter and you are set.

by the way you may have to download some software from microsoft so that vista can see your xp box, in the early release there were some protocol differences in the network neighborhood that stopped vista from seeing xp.  check that out.

Answer 5

Hooking the computers up with a crossover cable is not how you do this properly and sill have the laptop be mobile.

There is a way to do this though without a router but you will have to have a Network Interface Card that also has a wireless antenna.

You then hook the computer up to the internet(the XP computer) and go to Network Connections.

On the left hand side click on Set up a Home or Small Office network, click next, click next, check the ignore unplugged devices button, click next, and click option number one that says that computer connects directly to the internet and other computers will connect to it.

Continue on and it will ask first to select the connection you use to connect to the internet so don't pick the wireless option, keep going and read everything as you go along

Do the same network setup on Vista but select option two as the laptop is connecting via your desktop.

Answer 6

You CAN do this without a router

BUT the second in line computer, will only have internet capability WHEN the first in line computer is ON.   If you shut-down the first in line computer, you will also shut-down the 2nd in line computer's ability to connect to the inter-net.

With that UNDERSTANDING you can connect the two computers, both have internet capabilities, and both also have file sharing capabilities by using an ethernet CROSS-OVER cable.

You can get one at WalMart.

The CROSS-OVER cable wiring is different than regular ethernet cable, although they "look" the same.  The difference is in the wiring in the RJ45 connectors.

=====================================

To share files you will need to be using the SAME File System like FAT or NTFS all computers for your network.

To open your computer over the network for specific users to access.

1. Go to START > Control Panel > Windows Firewall >

Tab General select ON >

then on tab EXCEPTIONS > ALLOW file and print sharing on port 80.

2. All users should be Networked to join the same WORKGROUP with exact name spelling

Example: OURGROUPNAME

3. Then the computer(s) that want to share files

will map their drives for the other computers to access.

each computer will get a different mapped drive letter

like Z, Y, X etc.

(*)How to Map your drive is at link below.

4.  Also in MyNetwork Neighborhood you need to run the wizard, on each computer, and have each computer’s name available.  After running the wizard on computer 1, you will need a source to copy the information over

such as a floppy disk, or a removable flash drive, to transfer the information to the other computers.

5. Then on each computer, in Network Neighborhood

create a folder named SHARED DOCS

and then for every file you want to share

RIGHT-click/drag/copy the file into the Shared Docs folder

OR

IF you want to share the entire drive C on the PC (NOT recommended)

or other sub folder (recommended)

right click that folder > select Sharing and Security>

share this folder

6.  After file sharing is configured on both computers you should be able to access files easily.

The path I use to view files on my other computer is

Right Click START > left Click Explore >

scroll down to MyNetwork Neighborhood > and open the Workgroup folder >

find the mapped drive to the other computer and double click >

wait a few seconds and it will display all of the shared files on the other computer.

*For additional information and instructions

go to

Right click START > left click EXPLORE >

Go to Explore toolbar click HELP

then INDEX > type in Networking

^j^

Answer 7

you connect those computers and share internet using a crossover-cable plugged in directly to their LAN cards. you can run down the store and get that cable for $5-$10.

if your laptop is the one that has the active internet connection, it'll be easier cuz it's probably using the Wireless and you'll have the LAN Card free to share it to the desktop computer. but if it's the other way around, you might have to buy an extra LAN Card for the desktop to share the internet to the Laptop. Hope this helps, i really tried to be gentle with the terms. Good luck man!

here's a link that will teach you how: http://www.home-network-help.com/crossov...