Question by Ron M: Networking a Vista Computer with a Windos XP via wireless?
I have a wireless network at home with a wireless linksys router that is connected to my main pc using Windows XP, I have a second desktop with a wireless USB device using XP also. Both of these computers are connected to a home network that I have set up and have no problems with file and internet sharing. I recently bought a new laptop that is wireless ready and it came with Windows Vista home edition. I connected to my home network, entered int he security code and the laptop connects fine to my network automatically and goes online fine. The problem I am having is, I cant seem to perform any file sharing with this laptop. When I go into the network section it is only showing the laptop and neither of the 2 desktops using XP which are named differently on the network. This is my first time using Vista so I am wondering if I am missing something. The main desktop has the my docs section set for sharing also.
Best answer:
Answer by mrwifi
To share, you need to be on the same workgroup as the other computers. In XP, right click my computer and then click properties, the click the computer name tab and you will know which workgroup your laptop that runs vista should be on so that you can share files and stuff. Do the same in vista except My Computer is just called Computer. You will right click on Computer and click properties, then click workgroup.
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right click on the folder you want to share and select sharing. now give the permission you require and a share name you want and you will have no problems sharing files. dont forget to assign it a password and do not broadcast your SSID else anyone war dialing or within your neighbourhood will hack your system with ease
Your explanation of your system is a bit confusing. If I understand you correctly, you need to be sure that all three computers are accessing the same named network. It sounds like you have the two XP computers on one named network and the Vista on its own named network sharing a common router.
You missed a couple of steps – and these steps were required with Win XP and Win 2000 and previous issues so it is NOT a Vista issue.
First it is very helpful if you are in the same work group – as I presume this is a peer to peer network. Make sure you are all in the same work group.
Second you must define folders for network share on the vista machine. If you do not do this, they will not be network shared. Right click on Start, click on Explore. This will show you the folders on the Vista machine. Right click on each folder you wish to share (you have to do each folder individually) and then select the sharing option to share on the network and follow the prompts. Once a folder is network shared you will see an icon of a hand holding the folder.
Finally, while still in Explorer, you should Map network drives to the share drives of the other pcs as this greatly helps connections. Go to Tools and follow the Map network drive prompts.