How do I set up a network with XP and Win2k Computers?

[goobernoodles]

Hey, I'm trying to set up a network for my parents... The network will be consisting of 3 desktops, and up to 2 laptops at a time. The laptops are not a priority, however being able to access a printer on one of the win2k machines is a must for the other desktops.

Currently, we are using a pretty cheap little netgear router to share the dsl connection. I'm assuming this will be ok, and as far as physical connections go, I'm good. Now, how do I set up a network with XP and win2k up? Thanks.

 

[Madwand1]

Should be a piece of cake. For convenience, ensure that everyone is on the same workgroup (computer properties / network identification). Ensure that no two computers have the same name. Ensure that all computers are default-configured to automatically receive (unique) IP's via DHCP. Ensure that when users move among computers, they use the same name and password, instead of having different variations everywhere.

Install the printer on the print server, and share it, giving access to Everyone. Enable printer sharing in its network properties if needed. Install that printer as a network printer on all the client machines. XP and Win2K use different conventions for browsing / defaulting the printer name -- typing in the full printer name should work.

That should do it. If you run into difficulties, ensure that sharing is enabled on the server; that you're using the same account names and passwords on multiple computers, and that the passwords are not blank (blank passwords will sometimes not be accepted remotely), and ensure that the client account name / same password are also registered as a user on the server machine

Sharing resources from XP machines to other machines can be a bit of a mess due to variations in the OS's, UI/configuration, and rules. It'll proabably be simpler to put shared folders on the Win2K print server just for this purpose, and to transfer files via a two-step publish and retrieve method.

 

[JackMDS]

May be this can Help, http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

:sun: