Can I set up a wireless link between 2 PC's a Home (XP) & Laptop (Vista).

The laptop is wireless and the home PC has a Netgear router.

Ta

In a word, yes.

Have you tried and you've run into difficulties or are you asking before you attempt?

Or for an alternative word, no.

Chances are you will run into problems using XP Home version. Its not designed to use networks and has lots of the functionality removed. For example, you'll be very very lucky to get it to connect to a domain.

Look around on t'net for how to go about it, but you might find its just not worth the hassle.

I used a program called Windows Easy Transfer to transfer files via an XP and Vista machine. It worked fine. I was doing it via a crossover cable, but the option was there to do it wirelessly

If thats all he wants to do then fine. But if he wants to try and set up some sort of network then he will struggle with XP Home.

When you say wireless link, do you mean can they both run on the same wireless network or do you mean can they be set up to talk to each other wirelessly? (sp)

You sir, are talking utter pap.

Firstly, Windows XP Home is designed to be used on networks hence it has a Network Connections section in control panel and has full TCP/IP functionality not to mention support for IPX/SPX. If like me you were studying CompTIA's Network + Certification, you'd know that Windows XP both Home and Pro are known as Network Operating Systems.

Secondly, it's nothing to do with luck on whether you can connect it to a domain or not. As it's a simple home wireless network we're talking about here with a router as the central infrastructure point (Not a Server) Effectively there is no domain to connect to... Each PC will log on locally with local profiles.

From the info given it sounds to me like he just wants to use the laptop wirelessly while the PC is plugged into the router via ethernet patch cable. Operating system doesn't matter in this case as both XP and Vista use TCP/IP. All the information switching and packet transfers are done through the router.

Oooo - get you

It has domain functionality removed, thats what I meant. And it can be luck with trying to get XP Home to connect to a domain, there are plenty of ways around the lack of domain functionaltiy apparently, but I've never got any of them to work.

And for the record, sir, I couldnt care less what you study. Makes you sound like a jumped up little p***k

To log on to a domain you have to have either a dedicated PC, or server running the domain. Something that is very uncommon in a typical home setup.

You are now backtracking first saying that XP Home is not designed for network use but now there are "plenty of ways around the lack of domain functionality".


The only reason I brought up the fact I am studying it, is because you were so quick to rubbish my reply to a genuine question. I know what I am talking about, while you argue with me using contradictory statements

I didnt rubbish what you were saying

THAT is rubbishing what someone is saying

Im not backtracking, or contradicting myself, I admited that I should have said it had domain functionality removed, and had you not selectively quoted me what I said was exactly the same.

Yes, a domain setup is unusual in the home but he wasnt particuarly specific in what he wanted to do. My first post was simply to point out that if it was a domain he wanted then it wouldnt work, Ive tried it and so I thought Id share. I was adding to what you said, not contradicting you, had I said domain it would probably have been more obvious.

Oh, and I looked up your "qualification". Good luck with those multiple choice questions

Thankyou, some of them are actually pretty difficult and the result is I get a pay rise.

Thanks to everybody that's replied.

All I want to do (if possible) is access files on the Laptop from the Home PC and visa-versa.

You'll have to have a shared folder on both PC's, here's how to access both:

XP PC:

Navigate to "My Computer"
Click "Tools" and select "Map Network Drive"
Select you're desired drive letter and enter the following in the space:

\\<Laptop name>\<name of shared folder>
Then decide if you want to reconnect at logon. If the Laptop is not switched on and you have this ticked, you'll recieve an error when you switch your PC on.


Vista Laptop:

Navigate to "Computer"
Click "Map Network Drive"
Select you're desired drive letter and enter the following in the space:

\\<PC name>\<name of shared folder>
As before, decide if you want to reconnect at logon. If the PC is not switched on and you have this ticked, you'll recieve an error when you switch the laptop on.