XP Networking

  • Thread starter Thread starter Spook
  • Start date Start date
S

Spook

I thought that Micro$oft said that setting up a network on Windows XP
was easy! I'm so confused with it

I have two machines that I wish to network.

My main one is an XP home machine which has a cable modem attached to a
USB port. I am trying to connect with a RJ45 cable (crossed over).

I ran the network wizard on my main computer, made a network disk and
ran it on my other computer.

It wouldn't work

I am using the network name of "Eric" but when I restarted the XP Pro
computer after several tries I found that it had reverted to MSHOME (the
Micro$oft default) all on its own. The XP Home computer keeps the name
OK!

I uninstalled the network and the cards and reset it up but still the
same result - and the name still reverted to MSHOME on the XP Pro

I can connect to the Internet - albeit occasionally - from the XP Pro.

What do I have to do to get this network up and working properly?
 
The most important thing is to get it working so if it wants to be called
MSHOME I suggest that's what you should call it, if it works do you care?
You have to give unique names (how about Home and Pro!) to your two
computers. Turn off and consider uninstalling any software firewalls if
problems persist. Run the wizard.

XP's firewall will cause problems, one of them has to be turned off, I'd
suggest the client (in your case Pro) but I've read otherwise.

Click the share button for the files, disks and printers you want to share.

To work properly you have to boot the host machine (Home) before the client
(pro). I do not have a cable, I use a *USB ADSL and at least in my set up
the client machine internet is via the LAN link, I assume that'd be true for
you to. Make sure dial instructions are turned off on both machines as your
internet connection is on all the time.

I think that should do it. It is frustrating getting the sharing running but
its really worth the hassle. When you have got it working make sure you save
the settings with System Restore Points - you'll thank me for that one!

Do not worry abt the cards and cable. If you've got doubts check System
it'll tell you if the cards are working ok or not and unless the cable is
from a dodgy old lot.

*My ADSL USB modem created two links the dial-up and a kind of LAN called
ATM and for ages I did not know which one was supposed to do the sharing,
both kind of worked but not fully: it's the dial-up.

**I take it your connection is PPPoA not PPPoE (ethernet) like mine, in
which case your host machine does NOT need to ethernet cards as all the
books say it does.

Ps. Why not ask your ISP for advice on sharing your connection, there could
always be a wrinkle only they know abt, or a help page or two.

Hope this helps.
 
Spook <[email protected]> said:
I thought that Micro$oft said that setting up a network on Windows XP
was easy! I'm so confused with it

I have two machines that I wish to network.

My main one is an XP home machine which has a cable modem attached to a
USB port. I am trying to connect with a RJ45 cable (crossed over).

I ran the network wizard on my main computer, made a network disk and
ran it on my other computer.

It wouldn't work

I am using the network name of "Eric" but when I restarted the XP Pro
computer after several tries I found that it had reverted to MSHOME (the
Micro$oft default) all on its own. The XP Home computer keeps the name
OK!

I uninstalled the network and the cards and reset it up but still the
same result - and the name still reverted to MSHOME on the XP Pro

I can connect to the Internet - albeit occasionally - from the XP Pro.

What do I have to do to get this network up and working properly?
Click to expand...

I assume that you want to have the XP Home computer share its cable
modem connection with the XP Pro computer. In that case:

1. Configure XP Home as shown here:

XP ICS - Server Setup Using the Network Setup Wizard
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/serverwiz.htm

2. Configure XP Pro as shown here:

XP ICS - Client Setup Using the Network Setup Wizard
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/clientwiz.htm

It isn't necessary, but it makes networking easier if you specify the
same workgroup name for both computers. If you don't specify a
workgroup name when the Wizard asks, it uses the default name of
MSHOME, even if you previously specified a different 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
 
Thanks.

I can now share the Internet connection, but the XP Pro still does not
see itself in the network and cannot be seen either from itself or from
the XP Home computer.

I am wanting to share files etc.

I would have thought that, if I can see the XP Pro on the XP Pro Network
places I should be able to see it from the XP Home

I assume that I have still something to do on the XP Pro computer to do
this

XP Firewalls have ben disabled and I am running Norton Internet
Protection on both computers
 
Spook <[email protected]> said:
Thanks.

I can now share the Internet connection, but the XP Pro still does not
see itself in the network and cannot be seen either from itself or from
the XP Home computer.

I am wanting to share files etc.

I would have thought that, if I can see the XP Pro on the XP Pro Network
places I should be able to see it from the XP Home

I assume that I have still something to do on the XP Pro computer to do
this

XP Firewalls have ben disabled and I am running Norton Internet
Protection on both computers
Click to expand...

Un-install Norton Internet Protection and all other firewall programs
while troubleshooting the network. If they're not properly
configured, they can cause the problems that you're experiencing. For
safety, disconnect from the Internet while the firewalls are
un-installed.

If the network works with the firewalls un-installed, re-install them
and check their documentation for how to configure them to allow
access on the local network while blocking access by other Internet
users.
--
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
 
Back
Top