Connect laptop 2 home network?

I am trying to connect an XP laptop to a home network via wireless connection thru a Belkin router.

I can access router and internet via wireless connection, but am trying to share files with desktop PC running XP, connected via cable to router.

I have setup a home network, but it tries to generate a floppy or use original XP discs, but unfortunately I do not have a floppy drive on laptop, nor original XP disc (as work laptop). I cannot find the network thru laptop.

I have also tried to add laptop to PC wireless network using a USB flashdrive, and all has been successful, but can't see/access it from laptop.

Ideas/help please....

 

First make sure that your laptop is using the same workgroup name as the rest of the network.
You can find your network name by right clicking on the My Computer icon on your desktop and choosing "properties".
Click on the tab at the top labelled "Computer Name"
Check both a computer that is working on the network properly and the laptop and make sure the Workgroup name is the same.

http://ioniafirst.com/networkname.jpg

 

Hi
Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings, http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is allowed to be shared.

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/evaluate/vista_fp.mspx

Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

.

 

Just make sure you run the Home networking wizard on both pcs. And when that step comes, just select, "no, don't make a network setup disk" and you "should" be fine. Also, if you are running any software firewalls, other than the xp one, you may have to set up those to allow file and printer sharing.

 

aha, thanks.
joelsz...problem - this is a work laptop and is cinfigured to atach to work network.
Also, I am unable to access System Properties to change workgroup due to restrictions imposed by our network administrators.
Seems likely that I will not be able to do this without some tweaking by them!

 

either that, or change the workgroup name on the other computer to match the laptop

 

How else/where can i see what it is?

 

If your My Computer icon is not on the desktop, you can access the system properties by:
Start>Control Panel>System

If this is still not possible, like thesmokinggun suggested, change the names of the computers already on your home network to match those on the laptop.

 

Don't know how to sind it, access to system in control panel is notallowed?!?!

 

If you are connected to your work network using the wireless on your laptop, hold you cursor over the wireless icon in your applet tray.
It should tell you the name of the network you are on.

http://ioniafirst.com/wirelessicon.jpg