how to use wifi to browse local computer?

[thebeyonder]

I have a wifi AP and a laptop with a wifi card. I configured the AP, the laptop sees it and gets connected. but "connected" only means "connected" and nothing else.

I am pretty sure I can set up a network connection where the host has the server service turned on, file sharing is turned on, a local folder is shared and the laptop has access to that folder. probably through a guest account.

but I want to have the laptop able to browse any files on the local computer, so I can watch videos, listen to mp3's, read documents, over the network connection. the only way I know how to do that is share the root of the drive, which is not recommended.

there has to be a better way to allow the laptop to login and access anything as a user.

what do I do?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Homegroups for sharing media. Requires Windows 7 HP. (I assume Win8 has same feature?)

 

[thebeyonder]

I have XP on both.

 

[JackMDS]

WIFI or cable does mot matter. If you have computers using the same Wireless Router to get the Internet, these computers are networked and in order to "Browse" one the other, File sharing has to configured on each computer.

Maybe this can Help.

XP has No HomeGroup, you have to configure User accounts, File Sharing, and Permissions on each computer.

Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party Firewall instructions

General example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trusted



Please Note that some 3rd party Software Firewalls keep blocking aspects of Local Traffic even it they are turned Off (disabled). If possible configure the Firewall correctly, or totally uninstall it to allow clean flow of local network traffic. If the 3rd party software is uninstalled or disables, make sure that Windows native Firewall is On .
Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx


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



In Win XP pro you can Visually see the Permission/Security setting, and configure them to your liking.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/learnmore/accesscontrol.mspx#securityTab

When finished with the setting of the system it is advisable to Reboot all the hardware including the Router and all computers involved.

 

[ch33zw1z]

How's your data organized? Right click and share each folder if needed, add a user to the list and leave it at read only. Apply and ok, then hit those folders from the laptop and login with the user in the list.

IIRC, XP already shares the root of each drive. Example, if your desktop has IP 192.168.1.100, you can hit the root of C with this from laptop:

Start > Run > \\192.168.1.100\C$

You will be prompted for a username/password enter the user credentials from the desktop.