I've been messing with this issue for a couple days cant figure it out. I have a wireless cable modem connected to desktop pc. Second computer is a laptop connected to internet wireless. Now what I want is to connect BOTH computers and share files, pics. How can I do it? I've been googling and cant find anything useful. Btw pc is running xp and laptop vista.

 

u need to set up a sharing network. at least thats how i do it with my mac

 

What operating systems are running on these computers. Once I know that I can help ya out. Like Buckles said you will have to set up networks, but depending on what os they are running will be a different way of doing it. Like for me I have some desktops running XP and laptop running Vista so it took so working to do.

 

Windos XP home and Vista home premium

 

on XP, just double click the 'My network places' icon, and 'Network' icon on Vista

set up the wireless network on each, which I'm assuming you have already, and share a folder in each 'My Documents' folder.

To share on XP, just right-click the folder and hit 'sharing and security' and click the 'Sharing' tab and check both boxes in the Network sharing section, and select a simple name for the shared folder. ( I have 'PICS' as shared folder name)

on Vista, just go into Network and Sharing center from the Network icon.


...I'll have to wait a little bit for my wife to go to work before I can get specifics on how to share files on Vista...

 

Correct , add to that, Both PC's should be on the same workgroup/domain and both PC's Should be obtaing Automatic IP address , not sure if Vista can baypass thos points , but with XP you must do them , another easy way:
Start > run > cmd > ipconfig > then press enter , there should be somthing like " IP Addres : xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (x = any number) , write down this number an go to the other PC and go Start > run > cmd > ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx > and enter , if you got somthing like "Reply from xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx" then you'r good to go , other than that check the firewall settings...

 

To share between Vista and XP, both machines should be using user accounts with the same name and the same password - and you DO need a password or Vista gets bitchy.

 

LOL, sorry but this is not true. None of my computers have same name and password. Well none of them even have password.

Start on xp just for your sake of being easy.

Start>Control Panel>Network Connections>Set Up a home or small office network

Follow the steps through that, it should let you set up a home network to start from. My home network is called MSHome.

Now once that is done get on your vista.

Start>Control Panel>Network and Sharing Center>Connect to a Network

You should see your wireless network from here.

Then go back to the Network and Sharing Center when you get the laptop connect to the network. Make sure network discovery, file sharing, public folder sharing on. The rest should be turned off. Unless your printer is hooked directly to your laptop which i doubt, i'm sure its hooked to your desktop.

Then just set up sharing folders in both and you should be set. I'm pretty sure that should get you, if not I will look further into it.

Anyways that should get you.

 

XP doesn't care because simple file sharing uses the guest account. Vista is the one that gets bitchy if you try to access a share with another computer that doesn't use a password.