in simple terms, what is the most effective way for me to network the 2 computers in my office?

Question

I have a desktop, a laptop and a Linksys wireless g router. I have the desktop connected to the Linksys and didn't know if I could just network the laptop and then be networked. By the way, the desktop is running WIndows Vista and the laptop is running XP. is there an easy way to accomplish file sharing, etc?

Answer 1

You need to create a work group and put both computers in same group. If you right-click on My computer properties, goto the computer name tab to change work group.

Second thing is you might want to stop firewall from both computer just to be sure the fire wall is not blocking connection. Don't worry the link sys have a built-in firewall.

The right click and share a folder on both computers to verify connection. Easiest way to connect is go Start/search and select computer search. Put name of other computer. Once you locate the other computer then just open with double click, to access shared folder.

If you are stuck at any point goto windows help and search for "network setup wizard". This will walk you through the process.

Vista and XP have similar network drivers so don't worry about shared networking.

Answer 2

use a router to share internet connection and add both cpus to the same workgroup under network. Also configure the firewall accordingly to accept both ip addresses.

Answer 3

give each machine an unique userID and password
enable sharing on each machine with noone allowed except the userIDs for your machines.
connect them both to the router.
look in my computer/network places and they should be there.
if neither of your machines have wireless, turn it off using the routers browser interface!

Answer 4

I think that should work, I hope it will, because thats the exact thing Im going to try out on my mother in laws network, same equipment as well.