Am I in the correct place??

HI, not sure if i'm in the correct place as I have scanned the networking forum and cannot seem to find what I am looking for....

Anyway, my problem is...

I have a desktop which is my primary computer; all my work is done from this computer; printer; internet etc.

I also have 2 laptops, one downstairs in the sitting room which is just used for internet and games. The second has been brought recently for me to use within the bedroom, I have recently been diagnosed with a back condition, which I have to go sit on the bed with a supported backrest when the pain becomes uncomfortable.

So, the new laptop, I need to beable to access files on the desktop and maybe beable to send files then to the printer (but this not overly necessary) so that I can continue to work from my bedroom.

The wireless works great throughout the house, but I am unsure whether it is possible to do this!

Also, is it possible to gain control of the laptop downstairs as at times I need to run downstairs to help my 6 year old and at times thats not possible and he has to carry the laptop up 2 flights of stairs or wait for his father to come home to do so.....okay that sounds like I leave him downstairs alone, i don't, my mother takes care of him, but herself has problems with stairs and cannot carry items and help herself up at the same time....we need to get a lift fitted!!

I hope some one can help please. Oh and apologises if this isn't in the correct place!

Regards Kat

 

Wow, thx for replying so quickly!

They are all actually on different OS.
The desktop Win 7
The downstairs Laptop XP
The new Laptop Vista (thought can be upgraded to 7)

I shall take a look at the Home Network link you posted (thankyou for that) and get back to you!

 

Hello again. Thanks for the link, it wasn't overly easy to follow. But I followed your advice and made sure all the computers had the same workgroup but different names (which they did anyway)

So....

Desktop (OS win 7)
I get this message: Windows cannot set up homegroup on this computer.

So I go.....Desktop (OS win 7)
Network Sharing Centre
View Network Computers & Devices
Results: 3 computers located. 1 Media Device. 1 Network Infrastructure.

I added printer to network.

Access new Laptop (OS Vista) Message: Enter Network Password.....I didn't set one - try login password - Denied

Access laptop downstairs (OS XP) Message: Windows cannot access - Network Path Not Found.


So, I turn my attention to....New laptop (OS Vista)
Network Sharing Centre
View Network Computers & Devices
Results: 3 computers located. 1 Media Device.

Access to Desktop (OS Win 7) - Password - Excepted.
Access to Downstairs (OS XP) - Message: Windows cannot access - Network Path Not Found.


So, I turn my attention to....Laptop Downstairs (OS XP)
Network Sharing Centre
View Network Computers & Devices
Results: 3 computers located. 1 Media Device.

Recongised HOMEGROUP

Access to Desktop (OS Win 7) - Password - Excepted.
Access to Laptop (OS Vista) - Didn't check as no need to this computer to gain access back.

Am i missing something? How do my laptops gain acess to the desktop, but not the other way around?

Plus, whats with the Network Path not found on XP laptop?

To be honest, I am thrilled I can access desktop and printer via new work laptop.

One thing... will the internet security or any other software on the desktop work over on the laptops?

I really appreciate your help.

Regards Kat.

 

Windows7 homegroup will only work if ALL your computers are running Windows7. You will probably want to use a Workgroup. I would not name my workgroup homegroup to avoid confusion. Homegroup is a special thing in Windows 7.

To find the IP address of the computer you are on, type
ipconfig
at the command prompt. XP - start/programs/accessories/command prompt
similar for Vista and 7
Write down the IP's, note that they may change if you reboot or power off / on.
If you can open a command prompt on each computer and ping the other two
ping 192.168.1.5
ping 192.168.1.6 (only with your IP's)
the hardware is correct, just a matter of getting Windows networking sorted out. What you want to do is not uncommon.

 

Okay, hi again.

Did as requested. Got Ip address.

Pinged Win7 to Vista - reply
Pinged Win7 to XP - Timed out

Pinged Vista to Win7 - reply
Pinged Vista to XP - Timed out

Pinged XP to Win7 - reply
Pinged XP to Vista - reply

Now what?

 

Win 7 is not giving me an option to create a workgroup

 

Hello.

OKay I disabled the firewalls; it appears that the XP firewall was blocking the others out; but the firewalls on the 7 and vista were letting the XP in.

Okay so now what can i do to tell the Win7 to access the Vista and the XP?

and....would the internet security on the win7 also cover the vista and XP, they just have the windows Firewall.


Odd problem I have just come across, my new Vista laptop won't come out of sleep mode; i have tried just pressing the power button, space bar etc; so I end up rebooting the system back into safemode and closing down properly meaning I can lose my project work.

I do actally prefer it to go into sleep mode when I close my lid, at times I have to work in the office and I do not like others pre-viewing my projects (idea stealers they be) so disabling sleep mode isnt an option.

 

I've also been looking into how I can disable the Network Password; this is what I have done.

Network & Sharng Centre
Advanced Sharing Settings
Home/Work

File Sharing Connections - Use 128bit encryption to help protect fill sharing (Win& only) - Disabled - File sharing for devices 40-56bit encryption - Enabled (I can only choose one or the other)

Password Protection Sharing - Turn Off

Homegroup Connections - Use User name & passowrd to login.

I rebooted for effects to change, re-tried getting into Vista & XP from Win7 and same problem

Windows Security - Enter Network Password - Enter your password to connect to XP/Vista - Win7/User - Password - Logon Failure; Unknown User/bad password.

We have User & Passwords to stop the little one using the Win7 and the Vista (as well as work security)


Regards Kat

 

Hello again.

I'm sorry i'm not sure what to elaborate on as you ask me to disable Network Password; isn't all part of the same problem if I cannot get my network to work?

Anyway, I believe I have disabled all passwords and you were correct as now my win7 & Vista can communicate with XP without removing the user logins and user passwords, so I thank your for that.

One small problem now remains; opened a document on vista located on win7; made changes but couldn't save back to win7; it says 'you don't have permission' blah blah blah'

I have found a way around it though by saving the document first in public folder; then back at the win7 i can open it and save it to my work folder! I am sure though I should just beable to save it where I got it from!

I appreciate the vista sleep mode advice, but no thats not my problem. I dont use a pointing device I just close the lid. When I open it, it sounds like it is going though the motion but the screen remains dark, though not off, you can see a glow from it.

Anyway, thx for all your help, it was very much appreciated.