How to connect my 2 computers?

[myles]

Ok, so I have 1 router, and 2 computers in the same room. They're both connected to the router with CAT5 cables. How do I access the files on the other computer with this one? This computer is Windows 7, and the other is XP.

Basically, it's this: Computer1----CAT5---->Router<----CAT5----Computer2

 

[Bj]

Ok, so I have 1 router, and 2 computers in the same room. They're both connected to the router with CAT5 cables. How do I access the files on the other computer with this one? This computer is Windows 7, and the other is XP.

Basically, it's this: Computer1----CAT5---->Router<----CAT5----Computer2

Windows uses folders with special permissions called shares. XP & 7 have some shared folders already enabled. Though first things first, Make sure the rougter is giving out IP's for both computers. (to find out go Start->Run->type in 'cmd' (without quotes)->type 'ipconfig'

Under 'Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection' you should see an IP address as well as Subnet mask and default Gateway.

So when you have an IP on both computers, you can connect to the other computer's shared folder.


On your XP system navigate to your folder that you want to share, right click, click sharing and security. Then you will probably have to enable network sharing or something, then click on 'share this folder on the network'.

Fastest way (for me) to access another computer for both XP and 7 is to start->run then type '//[computer-name]' substituting for the computer name. Or you could use the network neighborhood to find your computer, but I like my way better.


Here is how to share in Vista

 

[TJohns]

...Fastest way (for me) to access another computer for both XP and 7 is to start->run then type '//[computer-name]' substituting for the computer name...

Your slashes are the wrong way around!

Trev

 

[TSPenguin]

Replacing the computer name with the IP is also more reliable.
In windows explorer you can also simply access "\\10.0.0.1\" or even map a network share to a drive. So \\10.0.0.1\Orbiter would become the drive X: on 10.0.0.2.

 

[orb]

The router probably gives IP addresses to connected computers by DHCP, so IPs may change after some (lease) time if they aren't set statically.

If none of the above from my predecessors work for you, then you probably don't have SP3 installed in XP. Vista and Win7 use a Link Layer Topology Discovery protocol to make a map of network, which responder isn't installed in XP, until SP3. If there is only XP SP2, and you don't want it upgraded to SP3, then you can install a patch from Microsoft - LLTD Responder for XP SP2 from here.

 

[Revolpathon]

easier would be to just open up share's, on xp it's easy just do it the normal way, when you want to acces them on your w7 pc type in the pc name (just as reliable as the up adresss but that one doesn't change) (you can find the name of the xp machine by right clicking my computer and then click properties) then you should see the share's listed, to acces files from xp to win7 you open up a share on w7 on permissions select the top most option (full control if i remember correctly) and do the same thing you did when accessing the share on xp

 

[Linguofreak]

Your slashes are the wrong way around!

Trev

Windows, IIRC, will accept them either way, though itself it uses \.

On Unix-like systems, the path separator is in fact /.

 

[liber]

Sometimes I use a free program Team Viewer for full access control to other PC.
It's easy to install,easy to use,both PC must have it,just exchange ID and pass.

 

[TSPenguin]

I use TeamViewer too.
But that is absolutely NOT what is asked for here.