Re: How to connect two computer together?

James wrote:
I have a desktop PC and another desktop PC. The first one using XP Media Center, the second one using XP Professional. The first one connect to the internet through a router and then a modem. The second one connect wireless to the router. Both computer can acess the internet. I use a D-Link DI-524 router. What can I do to them so I could share file on both PC???

Run the Network Setup Wizard on all computers, making sure to enable File & Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is that this will turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. If you have third-party firewall software, configure it to allow the Local Area Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my firewalls with an IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would substitute your correct subnet.

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center:

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the Simple File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it matters in your situation.

Then create shares as desired.

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) - http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
.

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