Playing music from my laptop onto my Desktop

[Dru22]

I am wanting to play music through my desktop computer speakers, however the music is on my laptop. I have the laptop running on a wireless connection. I have the desktop directly connected to the router. How can i do this? Keep it simple please. Both are running Windows XP home

 

[InlineFive]

Assuming that the music files are WMA or MP3 you can share the folder that the music is in on your laptop. Then you can have WMP on your desktop map the library on the laptop.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Dru22
I am wanting to play music through my desktop computer speakers, however the music is on my laptop. I have the laptop running on a wireless connection. I have the desktop directly connected to the router. How can i do this? Keep it simple please. Both are running Windows XP home

Free your music!

 

[Dru22]

I don't want to spend money on something, i just wanna play music, how do i do that PorBleemo?

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: Dru22
I don't want to spend money on something, i just wanna play music, how do i do that PorBleemo?

1. Make sure you have configured filesharing between both computers. In My Network Places (accessed via the start menu) under Network Tasks (left pane) click "Setup a home or small office network". Specify a unique computer name for each computer and the same workgroup name on both computers. Run this on both computers.
2. Locate the folder where your music files are stored. Right-click it and click Sharing. Enable sharing on the folder and name it something easy to locate such as "Bob's Music".
3. On your desktop open Windows Media Player. Press F3 to search for new media. Navigate with My Network Places to your laptop and to the folder with the music. Click OK and let her rip.

As long as your laptop is on your desktop should be able to access the music.

 

[phisrow]

PorBleemo is right. There is, however, one extra little trick if you don't like the idea of having to touch your desktop during the operation. If you set up UltraVNC on your desktop (see here for a guide to setting up the server on your desktop) and the viewer on your laptop (see here for that) you will be able to remote control your desktop from your laptop.
None of this is necessary; but if you want to start your music from the other side of the room, or are just too lazy to switch from one mouse and keyboard to another, or just like the coolness of remote control, it is certainly a cute trick.

 

[entropy5]

I just set up UltraVNC on my 2 PC LAN and it works quite well. Only drawback seems to be that "follow cursor" to change songs in Foobar 2k doesn't seem to work well; often have to stop the current song then double-click on the new one. Other than that, it gets the job done.

My Foobar box is a dedicated MP3 jukebox connected to my stereo.