Network Set Up

I've just got my new router from Talk Talk.

I want to set up a network between my wireless laptop and my wired desktop.

The Laptop is Vista and the Desktop is XP.

Both are connected to the router (One Wired and one wireless) for Internet access.

How do I set it up so I can share files between the 2.

Kind regards

Andy

First of all make sure the two machines can see each other. To do that start a command prompt and ping each machine from the other. If that doesn't work you may have to adjust your firewall settings so that your machines are in a trusted network.

Then (from memory) you'll need to set up something called (I think) a share on each machine. I think you do something like right-click on a folder you want visible on the other machine and say share.

Give that a go and see if you can get anywhere.

Each machine should have the same workgroup name.
Each machine must have a unique name.
Each machine must have something that's shared.

You might consider only sharing a folder from the Desktop PC, that way if you take the laptop on a public network you will be less likely to be sharing files unintentionally.

In any case tell Vista your home network is Private whereas if/when you visit any hotspots set those as Public - Vista will turn off file sharing and network discovery on networks you categorise public.

Vista prompts you about this the first time you join a given network, but you can change it in Network and Sharing Centre if it's not right.