create home network w/vista and xp

Hello,
I am trying to set up network at home between my vista computer and xp computer.
I have a dsl connection- comes into modem and then to my netgear router/switch. I have wireless nic cards in computers- they both connect to internet good.
I don't understand how to connect them to each other though. I have made a notepad txt file and made it shared on vista computer and I also have txt file on xp machine that is shared. But I cannot understand how the computers actually connect or set up a network between them. Each computer has a name computer1 and computer2. They both have WORKGROUP as their workgroup name.
can you help- I hope I am close-Thank you

re: create home network w/vista and xp

Now that they are on the same workgroup you can start sharing files and printers. Right click on the folders and hit share. you can access computers by going to start hitting run and typing in \\computer1 and \\computer2

Good Luck!

re: create home network w/vista and xp

Vista and XP have compatability issues, I had to disable TCP/IP V6 on both macihines for them to "see" each other on the network. Although my network is somewhat 'unconventional' you might be expierencing a similar problem.

Network specs...

Cisco 2507 out to cable modem
Cisco 2501 router AUI out to switch / serial to 2507
Cisco 2924 switch
Motorola cable modem

re: create home network w/vista and xp

I had a similiar problem on an Ethernet network, ie XP to Vista.
My problem turned out to be a Norton Firewall issue.
Firewall off - okay
Firewall on - Invalid host name

In Vista try start, control panel, Network and sharing center,
"view full map" upper right hand corner.
You might have to refresh (arrows in a circle) to right of title box.
Both of my computers will show there at the point where you are, I believe.
They will not talk to each other at this point.

You might try turning off the security systems firewalls temporarily to test it.

In Vista start, network to see both computers (again might have to refresh)
if you see both right click on the XP computer and see what is there.
If connected you should see the shared folders.

I had to enter the IP address of the Vista computer in the Security systems
"exceptions file" on the XP (and vice versa).


Good Luck!!

re: create home network w/vista and xp

You need to share the folder not the file.

Also try access with the IP like //10.1.1.20 rather than the name, also try with windows firewall off on both machines, mainly the problem is Vista

re: create home network w/vista and xp

The above should work but if it gets too complicated just shortcut the solution by using Net Meeting.