How do I network 2 computers?

[AAP]

do all computers involved have same os?

the two I want to connect one has XP Pro and the other has XP Media Center.


Here is basically what I am trying to do. I want to sit at one computer and access files and folders on the other one. If possible, I want to do away with the monitor, mouse and keyboard from one and just use the other to access everything from the box. If need be, I can move them next to one another.

 

[Phaded]

just make sure file sharing is enabled in windows... then to make things easier, put them in the same workgroup... the default is probably WORKGROUP or MSHOME. You should just be able to select the folder you want on the host computer and right click... then go to sharing (or properties and select the sharing tab) and click share my files. You can also do this with the whole c drive... my advice though, is to create a "network drive" PM me if you need any more halp.

this should have worked mr aap..

 

[AAP]

this should have worked mr aap..

It didn't. Unless I am not making heads or tails of the instructions. (quite possibly) Can you do a step by step? 20,000 karma to you.

 

[digger]

Right click "My Computer." Last item on the popup menu is "Properties." Open it, there should be tab on that window about "Computer Name." Click the "Change" button where it talks about joining a workgroup. (You don't want a domain, you want a workgroup.)

Use the Change button. Make sure the computer has a name and that you're making it a member of the same workgroup you're going to use for all the computers -- spelling counts. "AAP" would be a good domain name.

You're going to have to reboot, Windows is still stupid about that. Do this on each machine.

Okay, now that you're a member of the workgroup, you can right-click on your C: drive in Windows Explorer and set "Sharing" to share the disk.

You should then be able to go to "My Network Places" and open up (in this order) "Entire Network," "Microsoft Windows Network," and finally your Workgroup, whatever you called it.

In your workgroup you should now see all the computers you added (might take as long as five minutes for them all to show up, did I mention that Windows is stupid?) and you should be able to log on to any or all of them and see their juicy goodness.

Extra credit answer: PC Anywhere has nothing to do with sharing files (well, it has a file sharing thingy, but...); its main purpose is to let you move the mouse around and run programs on a remote computer as though you were sitting at it. It's not about pulling files off of that computer, at least not mostly.

 

[AAP]

Right click "My Computer." Last item on the popup menu is "Properties." Open it, there should be tab on that window about "Computer Name." Click the "Change" button where it talks about joining a workgroup. (You don't want a domain, you want a workgroup.)

Use the Change button. Make sure the computer has a name and that you're making it a member of the same workgroup you're going to use for all the computers -- spelling counts. "AAP" would be a good domain name.

You're going to have to reboot, Windows is still stupid about that. Do this on each machine.

Okay, now that you're a member of the workgroup, you can right-click on your C: drive in Windows Explorer and set "Sharing" to share the disk.

You should then be able to go to "My Network Places" and open up (in this order) "Entire Network," "Microsoft Windows Network," and finally your Workgroup, whatever you called it.

In your workgroup you should now see all the computers you added (might take as long as five minutes for them all to show up, did I mention that Windows is stupid?) and you should be able to log on to any or all of them and see their juicy goodness.

Extra credit answer: PC Anywhere has nothing to do with sharing files (well, it has a file sharing thingy, but...); its main purpose is to let you move the mouse around and run programs on a remote computer as though you were sitting at it. It's not about pulling files off of that computer, at least not mostly.

Ok, I did all that. I then tried to expand the MSHOME directory under the Microsoft Windows Network and it says :

MSHOME is not accessible. You might not have permissions to use this network resource. Please contact your server administrator to find out if you have access permissions.

 

[AAP]

maybe I need to create my user account on the other computer I am trying to access.

 

[AAP]

Ok, still can not view one computer from the other. Still says I do not have permissions.

Computer 1 - Windows Media Center. The computer I want to use to view the other one. I want to keep this one as my "main" one because it has more memory, better graphics and a DVD burner on it. When I click MSHOME on the Explorer page, I see nothing.

Computer 2 - Windows XP, the one that I want to browse through from Computer 1.
When I click MSHOME on the Explorer page, I can't access anything, but at least I SEE the two different computers (Comp1 & Comp2) listed there. On Computer 1 when I try it, nothing happens.

 

[ZKaudio]

if you trust me, you can send me your ip and set up a temporary admin login/pass on the computer you want shared and I'll remote login and set it up for you...

 

[AAP]

if you trust me, you can send me your ip and set up a temporary admin login/pass on the computer you want shared and I'll remote login and set it up for you...

how do I do that?

 

[coldbluetool]

There's a wizard in XP systems to set up a small simple network - it should guide you tru the whole process - you run it on each PC. I dont remember the details, but it was ridiculously easy. I used to set up Lantastic & Novell nets and was dreading the process, but it was painless.

go to programs->accessories->communications->network setup wizard

If this works, will you renounce coldblue1955 and all his works, and join my team instead?

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