XP & ME Networking

I have an HP running XP and a athelon running ME. How do I go about networking them? I would also like to network my Xerox printer which is attached to the XP. Can I do this?

 

If you don't ever plan to add any additional PCs (because this will only work with 2) then the simplest way:

To Network the PCs

- install NICs (Network Cards) in each PC. Any newer cards will be fine and you should be able to get them for around $10-15 each. Ask for cards that use RJ-45 connectors (which are the most common these days).

- set each card up to use TCP/IP (a network protocol). As part of the setup, you will have to set the cards to take an address and subnet mask you type in (rather than automatic). Use a different address for each and the same subnet mask for each. I suggest 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.1 for the addresses and 255.255.255.0 as the subnet mask.

- give each PC a different name. Anything you choose but 15 or less characters and only use alpha-numerics with no spaces, dashes, etc.

- give each PC a workgroup name. Again, anything you choose but needs to be the same for each.

- Set each PC's network to use Client for Microsoft Networking and to use File and Printer Sharing.

- get a length of Cat5 (category 5) crossover cable (that describes the internal wiring scheme) and plug it into each NIC.

- reboot each PC.

- using Windows Explorer, use the new option you will have for sharing and share at least one folder. Easiest to right-click on the folder and you should see the option.

- share the printer (from the PC it is attached to - should now be an option) using a name you can easily remember.

- on the XP computer, make sure the guest account is enabled (it is by default on XP-Home and is not by default on XP-Pro). Also make sure Simple File Sharing is checked (windows explorer~tools~folder options~view and toward the bottom of the large window).

- on the ME computer, make sure you are logging in with a username & password. Otherwise you''ll have problems connecting to your XP computer.

To Share the Printer

Assuming you've named the PC with the printer as PC1, the other as PC2, and the printer as Printer:

- on PC2, go to the printers folder and add a printer. Pick the network option rather than local. When it asks for location, put in
\\PC1\Printer.

- then finish the printer intall normally.

You didn't say but if you should happen to want to share a modem so both can use the internet with only one connection, you'll want to set up a modem sharing program. A good, free one is included with the operating system. Named ICS (internet connection sharing) and you can find a good how-to by Microsoft at their online help section. Slightly different depending on whether you use the ME or the XP system as the host (the one you have the modem connected to).

Whew - long post and I may have missed something. At any rate, if you have questions or problems, post back. And even if it all works perfectly the first time, post back with your results.