Networking PC running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002

I can't network my new Dell to my small business network. There are 4 computers total using a wireless router. In computer properties the "NETWORK ID" btton is grayed out. I am logged in as the administrator and firewalls are off. I can see shared files but cannot access them. I do not see any computers on the network. My OS is Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002. If anyone could help I would appreciate it.

kschibes

 

MCE will not connect to a Doman. You can only use XP Pro or XP64 to connect.

 

So the DELL Rep that was aware of my office setup and knew I was going to network did me wrong suggesting the MCE as my OS???

kschibes

 

So the DELL Rep that was aware of my office setup and knew I was going to network did me wrong suggesting the MCE as my OS???

kschibes

 

How was the DELL rep aware of your office setup? Just to start from the beginning, are you running XP Pro/home in a Home network without a "Domain" Controller (ie Small Business Server or Linux), or with?

MCE is a good OS if you are limited on space in say a dorm room and want to be able to watch TV or movies, but for computing needs, it is very limited compared to XP PRO or XP64.

 

I told the representative that I currently had 4 computers networked using a wireless router. The system I was purchasing was replacing the older system running Win98. The other systems I had on the network were running Win2k Pro & XP Pro. The main reason for the network was the need for file sharing. The Dell Rep knew all the above info and he was the one that suggested I should go with MCE. Now, if I understand correctly, I cannot acomplish this. The Dell Rep, being the professional, should have known the issues with MCE.

kschibes

 

Okay, now that we have that out of the way on what OSs the other machines are running, and that there is no "Small Business Server", now we can do the rest. Make sure that all machines have the same user, same Workgroup, Firewall allows for Local Network sharing, and then make sure that if you want to share files and printers, that file & Printer sharing is enabled.

Now I do know from experience that XP home and MCE has problems if "Simple File Sharing" is not checked on XP Pro. This site will help you further http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

 

All of this has been done. Machines have the same user, same Workgroup, Firewall allows for Local Network sharing, and file & Printer sharing is enabled.

"Simple File Sharing" is checked.

The new computer running MCE still cannot share files.

The "Network ID" button is stilled grayed out.

I give up.

kschibes

 

The link I posted will help. Please go to it and use it. The Network ID being grayed out is something else and due to I have never played with MCE, I cannot tell you about it. Usually with XP if it is grayed out, that means there is a part of the networking that is not started in Services.