wrong network name

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jud McCranie
  • Start date Start date
J

Jud McCranie

I have a new laptop (with Vista) that I'm trying to connect to a wired
network with three XP desktops. I accidentally took the default name
of "Workgroup" instead of the actual name of the network. The laptop
sees itself (under WORKGROUP) and the other computers, but the other
computers don't see it.

How can I change the name from Workgroup to the actual name?

(Shouldn't that make it visible to the other computers?)
 
Jud McCranie said:
I have a new laptop (with Vista) that I'm trying to connect to a wired
network with three XP desktops. I accidentally took the default name
of "Workgroup" instead of the actual name of the network. The laptop
sees itself (under WORKGROUP) and the other computers, but the other
computers don't see it.

How can I change the name from Workgroup to the actual name?

(Shouldn't that make it visible to the other computers?)
Click to expand...

I think you're talking about the workgroup name. By default, Windows
Vista uses the workgroup name "Workgroup", and Windows XP uses the
workgroup name "Mshome".

Networking is a little easier if all of the computers use the same
workgroup name, but it isn't necessary. The Vista computer should be
visible to the XP computers even without doing it. However, it can't
hurt to use the same name everywhere.

To change the workgroup name in Vista:

1. Click Start > Control Panel > System.
2. Click "Advanced System Settings".
3. Click "Computer Name".
4. Click the "Change" button.
5. Type the desired workgroup name.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
To change the workgroup name in Vista:

1. Click Start > Control Panel > System.
2. Click "Advanced System Settings".
3. Click "Computer Name".
4. Click the "Change" button.
5. Type the desired workgroup name.
Click to expand...

That helped, now all computers show up with the same workgroup name on
the laptop. However, it does not show up under MyNetworkPlaces on the
other computers. However, it does show up on the other computers
under Tools/Map network Drive / Browse / Microsoft Windows Network /
MSHome.

Is there a way to get it to show up there? ( I tried refreshing and
rebooting, that didn't work.)
 
other computers. However, it does show up on the other computers
under Tools/Map network Drive / Browse / Microsoft Windows Network /
MSHome.
Click to expand...

PS - it shows up there, but it is "not accessible". I have the HD set
up to share, group or usernames is set to "everyone", and permissions
for everyone is allow on all three checkboxes.
 
Back
Top