How can I set up network data transfers

[Muse]

I have three computers, 2 PCs connected to the router by ethernet, one laptop (Lenovo T60) connected wirelessly (I can connect it by ethernet if required). I routinely copy files back and forth (usually from my main PC to the laptop) by using a 2 GB flash drive. I figure I can just pass the data across the network. I do have all the PC's printing using the network card installed in my HP4M printer. Both the main PC and the laptop are running XP Pro right now. The laptop may eventually have Vista, if and when I get around to getting my "free" upgrade. The laptop is Vista capable, it just wasn't released yet when I bought it 2 years ago.

How can I get my main PC to see the laptop? I have the router [ Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 router ] set up with dd-wrt firmware using encryption.

 

[JackMDS]

You just set the sharing on each computer.

Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings, http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is allowed to be shared.

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://technet.microsoft.com/e.../library/bb727037.aspx

Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/d...x?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windo...t/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

See the end of this thread too, http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2250303&enterthread=y

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
You just set the sharing on each computer.

Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings, http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is allowed to be shared.

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://technet.microsoft.com/e.../library/bb727037.aspx

Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/d...x?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windo...t/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

See the end of this thread too, http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2250303&enterthread=y

Thanks! I just went back to My Network Places and can see my laptop but when I click it I get a message that things are configured such that the computer is not accessible and to contact an administrator. So, I guess I have to set up file sharing between computers on the network. I have done that kind of thing in Windows 2000, not XP.

Edit: Whoa! Now I go into My Network Places 10 minutes later and I don't see my laptop at all! 😕

Edit2: So I go and start the new network configuration wizard in XP again, cancel out and again I see the laptop in My Network Places ! :Q I see that my drives are already set up as shared on my main PC. I go to my laptop and try to connect to my main PC and am asked for a username and password! I look them up, and I see a set for my router. I figure maybe this is what it wants?? Doesn't work, though.... 😕

 

[kevnich2]

If all your PC's are connected through a router, then they are all on one network, you just have to configure the network sharing and access. To access PC1 from PC2, you have to be logged into an account on PC2 that is also on PC1 (don't have to be logged into that account on PC1 but it does have to exist and have access to the files you want shared) and also make sure the passwords are both the same on the two accounts. Computers don't assume other computers trying to connect to it have access, so they rely on user accounts (Server to client). Even though you don't have a server, whatever computer your connecting to is acting as the server for that file and it's giving you errors when connecting it's because your client computer doesn't have the required access to access the files. Read Jack's links on the file sharing and make sure you read EVERYTHING.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: kevnich2
If all your PC's are connected through a router, then they are all on one network, you just have to configure the network sharing and access. To access PC1 from PC2, you have to be logged into an account on PC2 that is also on PC1 (don't have to be logged into that account on PC1 but it does have to exist and have access to the files you want shared) and also make sure the passwords are both the same on the two accounts. Computers don't assume other computers trying to connect to it have access, so they rely on user accounts (Server to client). Even though you don't have a server, whatever computer your connecting to is acting as the server for that file and it's giving you errors when connecting it's because your client computer doesn't have the required access to access the files. Read Jack's links on the file sharing and make sure you read EVERYTHING.

Thanks! This might have to wait until after Thanksgiving. Flying out tomorrow morning and won't return until Sunday. I'll have at it next week.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Originally posted by: Muse
Edit2: So I go and start the new network configuration wizard in XP again, cancel out and again I see the laptop in My Network Places ! :Q I see that my drives are already set up as shared on my main PC. I go to my laptop and try to connect to my main PC and am asked for a username and password! I look them up, and I see a set for my router. I figure maybe this is what it wants?? Doesn't work, though.... 😕

It is asking for your username/password for your account on the main PC (if XP, your username is the name that you click on to log in, and whatever password you may have set for it).

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell

Originally posted by: Muse
Edit2: So I go and start the new network configuration wizard in XP again, cancel out and again I see the laptop in My Network Places ! :Q I see that my drives are already set up as shared on my main PC. I go to my laptop and try to connect to my main PC and am asked for a username and password! I look them up, and I see a set for my router. I figure maybe this is what it wants?? Doesn't work, though.... 😕

It is asking for your username/password for your account on the main PC (if XP, your username is the name that you click on to log in, and whatever password you may have set for it).

Well, here's a question: what if I have blank passwords? My main PC (desktop) has a blank Windows XP password. I did that so I don't have to log in every time I power up the PC. Do I have to have a non-blank password for file sharing to work?

I don't have a blank password on my laptop because it has a fingerprint reader and I use that instead of the windows password to log on. Normally, I just put the thing to sleep rather than shut it down and it's configured to come out of sleep without asking for a password or fingerprint.

 

[jlazzaro]

dunno, as i would never use blank passwords. if you need an account to auto login, use something like TweakUI.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: jlazzaro
dunno, as i would never use blank passwords. if you need an account to auto login, use something like TweakUI.

For XP- :thumbsup:

For Vista.

Simple solution, any time One does not want password use your initials as password.

Only two charter to type, and if One forgets his initials One is already in a place that there is No need for computers.