XP Home domain/workgroup creation

[daveman]

Got my wireless "network" set up, and can easily use Internet Explorer, Outlook, and other Internet apps from any wired or wireless computer in my house. The problem is that I cannot seem to get fileshares working, and my computers cannot "ping" each other. In other words, I only have the "wireless" part of a Wireless LAN working. Now I need to get the LAN created/configured.

I have XP Home on both computers. I want to be able to access shared folders and printers between the two computers. Do I need to create a domain or a workgroup in order to do this? I don't think XP Home supports domains, so...

I did use the XP "Network Setup Wizard" from Control Panel --> Network Connections, and it led me to the creation of a "network diskette" with a file called netsetup.exe, which I executed on the other computer, but the two computers still don't seem to be "networking." There is no network login of any kind, and I still cannot ping the computers by name.

Is there some sort of checklist for setting up the LAN part of a wireless LAN on Windows XP Home?

[M/Q]

You are correct XP home will not allow creating domains. You really do not need that, unless you setup a server as a Domain controller. You need to make sure that the two computers have the same workgroup name. You also may want to setup username and passwords. Then make sure that unless you use the same username and password on both computers that both usernames are authorized users on both computers. It will help the sharing process, as you will not have to log in when accessing a share. Also this link will explain all the requirements and steps to set up file and printer sharing.

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/

[daveman]

Thanks for the URL, but I already know how to set up fileshares. I also know how to map a drive letter to a share. I have already set up shares on my computers, in fact. The problem is, no network seems to exist, so I can't map to the shares. I did make the workgroup name the same on both computers. As for the username/password, are you referring to the username I use to log onto Windows itself? Or can I also set up authentication to the workgroup?

[M/Q]

I forgot to ask if you have the XP firewall turned on or if you have any third party firewall or Internet security programs? If so disable them for the time being. Also in the TCP/IP setting for the network card you are using do you have file and printer sharing checked? And are the TCP/IP settings similar on both computers. And in the my computer properities you have the workgroup the same for both computers.

Also I would like you to look at the link I gave you in my first post as it has more than what you think. It talks about the questions you just asked me and tells you how to setup access without passwords. You just have to check it out.