Networking Windows Professional 2000 with XP Home Edition--Is this even possible??

[starr71]

I just got a Dell Inspiron 9200 with Windows XP Home Edition. I currently hafe a Dell desktop with Windows Professional 2000 on it. I am networked for the internet using a router. I need to know if I can wirelessly connect these two computers so that I can share files? If anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it. I am at my wit's end with this, even resorting to calling an ex-boyfriend :( .

[ecross]

Yes, it's possible. All versions of Windows can be networked. What is the exact problem are you having?

And starr71, please don't post your email address in a public forum. Posting your email address openly will get you more unwanted email than wanted email. Keep your email a safe and let users contact you through your public profile.

[cszeto]

The main difference is the security model between Windows 2000 and XP Home. XP Home will not allow you to assign individualized accounts and passwords to its file shares.

[starr71]

Thanks. I just don't know how to network the two. I guess they are networked because the laptop is sharing the internet connection via the router. I don't know where to start in term of file sharing. A friend suggested that I wipe the desktop clean, and install XP using the backup disk that came with the laptop. Then, I could use the networking wizard that is in XP. I'm not sure this is possible, but without another alternative, I'm considering it. I plan on starting backing up all my desktop data tonight.

[cszeto]

http://forums.practicallynetworked.com/showthread.php?threadid=833

[starr71]

Thanks for the link. I finally got someone to walk me through it over the phone before I went to work this morning. I'm about halfway through, I've got the workgroup established and the two machines have unique names established. On the desktop (Windows 2000) with all the data that I want to share with the laptop, I've set one file up to share. When I get home, I'll move on to the security settings. Thanks for the help! It's great to know that this resource is here.