I am trying to network my laptop and my desktop so I can share information
using a router. Can anyone help me?

Harn wrote:

Run the Network Setup Wizard on both computers, making sure to enable
File & Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is that this will
turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party
firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like
Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. If you have
third-party firewall software, configure it to allow the Local Area
Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my firewalls with an
IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would
substitute your correct subnet.

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro:

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
Simple File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it
matters in your situation.

Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
Shared Documents folder.

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/myths.htm

http://www.tomsnetworking.com
http://www.wown.info/
http://www.ezlan.net/index.html - Jack, MVP
http://www.howtonetworking.com/default.htm - Bob Lin, MVP
http://www.howtonetworking.com/Troubleshooting/notaccessibale0.htm
http://tools.netgear.com/HomeNetworkConfigurator/ - A "walk-through
wizard" to help plan a home network
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html

Malke

In article <26601635-0D0B-4F52-8387-873E41C9F***@microsoft.com>, Harn
<H***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
Here's an outline of the process.  If you'd like more information,
please post another question with full details.

1. Connect each computer to the router, using either a wired or
wireless connection.

2. Run the Network Setup Wizard on each computer.  It will
automatically enable file sharing, share all printers, and create a
Shared Documents folder for access by the other computer:

XP ICS - Starting the Network Setup Wizard
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/networksetupwiz.htm

3. If the Wizard discovers the router's shared Internet connection,
tell it to use that.  Otherwise, tell the Wizard that the computer
connects to the Internet through a residential gateway (router).

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