How can I network my computer and my laptop together?

bamhm182

bamhm182

New Member
I'm confused about how to network my computer and laptop since I've never done it before, I've got a wireless router and an extra Ethernet cable (Just in case you can't do it wirelessly.) I want to have my laptop and desktop networked together like how school computers are so I can access the desktop's files on the laptop and vice versa. Thanks in advance.
 
I forgot to mention, both of them are Windows XP Pro, where's my networks?? sorry, I'm a total noob at this...
 
Okay, you know what? FU** THIS! I give up, I'm just going to do it the hard/long, which is actually the easy/short way in this case. I'm just going to put all the files on my PSP and transfer them over that way.
 
Okay, do you have two NICs? You'll need those to even start networking two systems. Get two NICs, and software.
Okay, what kind of connection do you have?
 
If You Have It Set Up Properly...

If you have both your computer and laptop set up to the same router than networking them together isn't hard at all. Ensure that both are connected and running properly, mabye simply by opening the internet and making sure it works on both machines. Then follow these simple steps...

On your main computer (really doesnt matter which one)
1. Open up 'My Computer'
2. On the left side, click 'My Network Places' (If it's not there, there are other ways you can access the 'My Network Places')
3. On the left side, click on 'Set up a home or small office network'
4. Click next
5. Click next again, computer should somewhat load
6. Select the option that suites your network (Most likely the second option, view the example/picture if necessary)
7. Enter a computer name, a description doesn't matter (You can really use any name here)
8. Enter a workgroup name, Windows default is "MSHOME" without the quotes, which I would suggest using. (You can really use any name here...)
9. Click next
10. Select to 'Turn on file and printer sharing'
11. Click next
12. Let it load, and "network" the computer
13. Select 'Just finish this wizard, I don't need to run the wizard on the other computers'
14. Click finish

Now that one computer is networked, move on to the second one...Almost exactly the same, I bolded what was changed or should be noticed.

On your secondary computer
1. Open up 'My Computer'
2. On the left side, click 'My Network Places' (If it's not there, there are other ways you can access the 'My Network Places')
3. On the left side, click on 'Set up a home or small office network'
4. Click next
5. Click next again, computer should somewhat load
6. Select the option that suites your network (Most likely the second option, view the example/picture if necessary)

7. Enter a computer name, a description doesn't matter (You can really use any name here) Note: This MUST be a different name from the first one you used

8. Enter a workgroup name, Windows default is "MSHOME" without the quotes, which I would suggest using. (You can really use any name here...) Note: This must be EXACTLY the same as the other one aswell...

9. Click next
10. Select to 'Turn on file and printer sharing'
11. Click next
12. Let it load, and "network" the computer
13. Select 'Just finish this wizard, I don't need to run the wizard on the other computers'
14. Click finish

That generally sets up the network for you...there are various ways to share the files, heres a few...

Ways To Share Your Files And Folders
1. Go to "My Computer", and click on "Shared Documents", anything you put into this folder will be shared over the network
2. Right click a folder, click "properties", click the "sharing" tab, under network sharing and security click on "Share this folder on the network", if you want the other computer to be able to edit/delete/cut/save over (copying is always allowed) the file, the select "Allow network user to change my files"

Now that you know how to share the files, its time to access them from the other computer...

Ways To Access Your Files And Folders
1. Open up 'My Computer' , on the left side, click 'My Network Places', All files/folders that are being shared should be displayed here, if not try right clicking and refreshing
2. If you have more than one computer, you can search that computer by its name. Click "view workgroup computers" along the left side (in network places), and all computers on the network should be displayed (if not try refreshing)

Generally thats how you network, add and access files on a home network, below are a few notes/tips if you can't get it to work

- Make sure that both computers are using the same workgroup name (To change or edit the workgroup: Control Panel -> Performance And Maintenance -> System -> Computer Name (Tab) -> Change... (button)

- Make sure that the computer you are trying to access is turn on and booted up, otherwise the files won't be shared on it

- Make sure if you have a firewall, that it is configured and allowing the home network (One computer's firewall may prevent ALL from working)

- You can also share printers



If you have any questions or problems just send me a PM or post it here. Hope this helps you and mabye others who need it.
 
I have a similar problem as bamhm182. I've tried to setup my wireless network exactly as SRF has stated, multiple times.

My setup is a desktop with an Actiontec GT701 router. I've set up the router to broadcast the SSID using a WPA and no mac filtering. I've used the CD supplied with the router to load all necessary drivers, at least as far as I know. When I get to step 6: Select the option that suites your network (Most likely the second option, view the example/picture if necessary), I try to use option 1 and it tells me that other computers cannot connect to the Internet through this computer, I don't know why. I only have LAN in my Network Connections, no wireless connection.

When I use the netsetup app on my USB on my laptop, it goes through it's pop ups but tells me 'Validating Identity.'

What am I missing?
 
I'll update my own problem. My problems has to be with XP SP2. I can't get XP to recognize any wireless connection. In Network Connections, I can only see my LAN (the DLS connection to the internet), no Wireless Connection. I've looked at the Device Manager in Other Devices and Network adapters, nothing wireless mentioned in either area. I've updated the firmware for the router, still nothing. Rebooted, still nothing.

I've googled on how to get XP to recognize a wireless connection but all the answers I found do not work. XP absolutely REFUSES to believe my router is wireless.

When I had 2K on my main computer it would allow my laptop to surf the internet but I couldn't see files on either computer so I know that the wireless does work.

I'm out of ideas.
 
Hmmm..SP2

It may indeed be SP2...It has many issues when it comes to running software and hardware on it. However Im assuming the firewall on SP2 has something to do with it...A way you can check this is by disabling the firewall, and seeing if anything comes up under your network places. If you havent tried this, give it a try and let me know what happens...(To Disable the firewall, Control Panel -> Security Center -> Windows Firewall -> Select off, and click 'ok') Make sure that after doing this, when your back viewing your connections, your refresh the screen (Right click).

If you've already tried this and have failed, it may also be your router, which router are you using?
 
XP did have it's firewall on, I disabled it. I have Zone Alarm running.

I have an Actiontec GT701. I think I may have found a solution, the router has both an Ethernet and USB plug. When I was running 2K, I used the USB and wireless did work. When I upgraded my desktop, I used the Ethernet plug. I just now plugged in the USB and did some tweaking on the network connections, use WPA with PSK, and my laptop now sees the network. I can't see the files on my desktop from my laptop but I'll work some more on that tomorrow. I want to add MAC filtering and disable SSID.

Thanks for you help, I hope I have it figured out.
 
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