Win XP and 2000

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sierras
  • Start date Start date
S

Sierras

Hello,

I am having problems getting Windows 2000 to work on my home network.
I have a home network with 2 desktop computers (one on XP Home and the
other on Win ME) and trying to get a company laptop running Win 2000
Pro to work on the network.

I can not see the other computers on my 2000 laptop, yet when I do a
search for the specific computer, it works. However, it doesn't work
the other way. That is, my Win XP can't see the Win 2000 machine even
with a search for the specific computer.

I do not want t change the company laptop too much, but anything minor
should be fine.
It uses a different user name and workgroup when logging in. So I'm
thinking that could be the problem.

Can I keep what the company has on the laptop and also my home network
group and user name on it. Would I be able to switch between the two?
Does it matter that the company also has VPN on it? All computers are
able to use the internet through a router.

Any help would be appreciated.
And please keep it simple as I am really not too familiar with this
networking stuff.

Thanks..
 
This is one of the most common questions in this newsgroup. Have you
checked previous posts for some possible solutions?
Your company laptop is probably joined to a domain at work. This is a basic
security level over which you have no control. If you remove your laptop
from the domain and add it to your home workgroup, you will not be able to
connect again at work until you get help from the administrator to re-join
the domain. And they will not like you very much, especially if it is
company policy NOT to connect laptops to home networks (there are a million
security reasons for this, mainly viruses and worms that may be on your home
network that your company does not want you to bring into work with you.)
Anyway, there are only a few solutions.
1. rename your home network to be the same as your company domain and the
cached username/password that you use at work will let you connect to your
home workgroup provided you setup the same username/password on your home
pcs (not recommended, but I know many people who do this because it is easy)
2. login to the laptop locally (click options button at login, then click
the drop-down to select your local pc name, not the domain name (you will
need a local username/password and need to know a little about profiles).
If you have a Novell client, click the workstation only checkbox, then go to
advanced button and click the windows tab to select local computer. Your
router and VPN connection should still work under this configuration.
You can then access your other pcs using the proper credentials.
3. Buy a third-party utility for handling multiple workgroups/domains under
Windows 2000 and hope your company doesn't discover that you installed it.

Oh, and BTW, keep your company's IT folks happy and make damn sure your home
network if completely patched (all critical windows updates applied
monthly), has UP TO DATE virus/spyware/adware protection and a good firewall
before connecting THE COMPANY'S LAPTOP to YOUR network.

Good luck!
 
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