Network Help

I have 2 Windows XP Pro Computers connected to a BT1800HG Router. I was wondering how I can get my 2 XP Pro machines to share files whilst both are still connected to the router?

Thanks in advance

See if this makes sense.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040

OMG

I didn't know that existed. It's scary! And I've been involved technically in micros since 1982 before PCs existed.

The way you word that you have shared files before you had the router. If you have, how were they connected, as all we need to do is take you through the differences.

If you haven't, then it could take us a while, but we can get there. A router is specifically designed to "route" stuff within a LAN, (Local Area Network which you want), and between that LAN and another LAN or a WAN (Wide Area Network like the Internet). When we use a router just to connect to the internet we are only using part of that. (Assuming a modem/router which you probably mean. If you mean a pure router, then to get to the WAN it routes to the modem). So don't worry.

The full procedure for setting up a home LAN is a bit tedious in XP - it used to be dead easy in earlier WIndows versions, which is why, if you already know how, it will be simpler to explain how with the router .

I used to connect the 2 computers via a wifi connection with one computer with the internet connection using ICS. I used the configuration Wizard to setup a Network Place and then added shared files to that connection.

It was a long time ago, so I think that was the way I completed the task before. I just have no idea on how to do it with a router as the to computers are conected to the router rather than each other, if that makes sense.

Is your router also a modem, i.e. is it connected to the phone line?

edited to add:

According to web it is a wireless ADSL router.

As long as the router is assigning your PCs IP addresses you should be able to see each computer in the Network Neighbourhood menu (some words similar anyhow).

Edited by deleted (Sat 21-Jul-07 10:27:10)

It should be basically the same as you did before, except where you told the wizard on one machine to let other machines use its connection, and you told the other one to connect through another machine on the network, instead the wizard should detect another internet connection on the network (your router) and ask if you want to connect through that. Answer is yes

(This is why I asked about before, to save explaining all about file sharing etc if you already knew it/had got it in place ).

I think you can do it just by running the wizard again on each, and it will keep your other settings re shared files etc. Otherwise you may need to delete the existing connection so you can use the wizard, but I don't think so.

(I'm assuming you have read John's post of 10:23 this morning).

Edited by RobertoS (Sat 21-Jul-07 15:32:00)

I'm not sure if my router is assigning my computers ip addresses. I think its Windows which is doing that as I have the "Allow Windows To Manage This Computers Connection" on both machines. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with what you said and I know very little about networking especially with a router. My router does have a built in modem.

Just to clarify, you are asking how to get the 2 computers to share files. From that I, at least, am assuming they cannot see each other at all. Or can they?

Secondly, can either or both connect to the internet through the router, and if one, which?

Sorry to ask so much, but it is easy to make wrong assumptions from a distance, and go down the wrong track .

Both computers are connected directly to the router. Both computers cannot see each other.

Hope that helps and thanks for your help.