Series: PC Network - Install, Connect, Configure, Share

Sharing Files from Vista to XP

11/01/2009

~ John29

In my case it was Windows 7 to XP, but it is so similar that your excellent lesson works just as well as with Vista. Before the lesson, I was able to see the XP computer from the Windows 7 computer, but not vice-versa. Now I can read and write in both directions. Well done for a very detailed and clear description, and a good quality video - I could read everything easily.

Below are the descriptions for each of the lessons included in the series:

• Network Hardware: Networking Hardware Explained

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 1, which covers Home Networking Hardware. Other sections will have lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Installation, Networking Hardware Configuration, Connecting PCs to Home Networks and Setting up File Sharing and Printer Sharing.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Networking Hardware Explained - this lesson
  Buying your Networking Hardware - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1788

  This video covers all of hardware you will need to set up your Wireless Home Network. The role of the router is explained allow with wireless standards 802.11g and n. Wireless G and N's speeds, signal coverage and cost are explain. Wireless adapters for desktop and notebook computers are covered. The 3 types of adapter that are available are discussed along with when to use each.

  The center of your home network will be the Router. The router connects your home network to the Internet and allows not only sharing of Internet access to all the computers on your network, but also sharing of files and printers between the computers on your home network.

  The router connects your home network to the Internet through your cable or DSL modem. This connection is made using an Ethernet cable which we will show in section 2 of the lessons.

  There are 2 types of routers, wired and wireless. Wired routers use Ethernet cables to connect to all of the computers. If you have all of your computers in one room with the modem and router this works out nicely.

  However most people have computers spread out all over the house and have 1 or more notebook computers that are moved around a lot. This makes using a wireless router a necessity.

  The video goes on to cover:

  *Wireless Standards, Speeds and Ranges
  *Types of Wireless and Wired Network Adapters
  *Wireless Adapters for Desktops and Laptop computers
  *The Wireless standard to buy with your needs in mind

  In section two we show how to connect the modem to the router and install the wireless network adapters inside our computers to get them on the home network.

• Network Hardware: Buying your Networking Hardware

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 1, which covers Home Networking Hardware. Other sections will have lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Installation, Networking Hardware Configuration, Connecting PCs to Home Networks and Setting up File Sharing and Printer Sharing.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Networking Hardware Explained - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1788
  Buying your Networking Hardware - this lesson

  This lesson covers:
  *Wireless G routers
  *Quality of Service features
  *Wireless N routers
  *Dual-band
  *Finding reliable reviews of hardware
  *The best sites for end user reviews
  *Buying options from the manufacturer, brick and mortar stores and online stores

  Next, in Section 2, we will show you how to connect the modem to the router and install a wireless network adapters inside our computers to get them on the home network.

• Installing Hardware: Installing the Router

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 2, which covers Home Networking Hardware Installation. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Configuration, Connecting PCs to Home Networks and Setting up File Sharing and Printer Sharing.

  The lessons in this section are:
  *Installing the Router - this lesson
  *Installing the USB Adapter - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1790
  *Installing the PCI Card Adapter - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1791
  *Installing the PC Card Adapter - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1792

  In this lesson, we connect the router to the modem, reset the modem so it can see the router and they can connect to each other. We connect our home office computer to the router using an ethernet cable. We'll use this computer in Section 3 to configure the router.

  This video goes on to cover:
  *Placement of the router for best wireless signal reception throughout the house
  *Connecting the router to the computer and modem

  In section 3 we will configure the router using this desktop computer, but first lets get all the other computers ready for the network by installing the wireless network adapters.

• Installing Hardware: Installing the USB Adapter

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 2, which covers Home Networking Hardware Installation. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Configuration, Connecting PCs to Home Networks and Setting up File Sharing and Printer Sharing.

  The lessons in this section are:
  *Installing the Router - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1789
  *Installing the USB Adapter - This Lesson
  *Installing the PCI Card Adapter - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1791
  *Installing the PC Card Adapter - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1792

  In this lesson, we go to the Familyroom computer and connect a USB wireless network adapter. We show installing the software that comes with the adapter along with the options to choose during the install. We then plug the adapter into a open USB port on the back of the computer. We will get the computer connected to the router and on the Internet in Section 4.

  This video goes on to cover:
  *Installing USB Wireless Adapter Software
  *Connecting the Adapter to the Computer
  *Show Windows detecting the adapter

  Next we'll install a PCI card wireless adapter into a desktop computer. First we need to install the driver and configuration utility that came with the card.

• Installing Hardware: Install PCI Card Adapter

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 2, which covers Home Networking Hardware Installation. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Configuration, Connecting PCs to Home Networks and Setting up File Sharing and Printer Sharing.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Installing the Router - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1789
  Installing the USB Adapter - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1790
  Installing the PCI Card Adapter - This Lesson
  Installing the PC Card Adapter - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1792

  In this lesson we will install a PCI Card wireless network adapter into our Livingroom computer. We show how to open different computer cases. We show how to indentify the PCI or PCI Express expansion slots and the procedure for installing the wireless network adapter into an open PCI expansion slot. Just like in Lesson 2 we show how to install the configuration software that comes with the adapter. We will get the computer connected to the router and on the Internet in Section 4.

  This video goes on to cover:
  *Installing the Configuration Utility and Driver
  *Installing the PCI Card Wireless Adapter
  *Removing the case cover
  *Inserting the card into an open PCI or PCI Express slot
  *Connecting the antennas
  *Replacing the case cover
  *Showing Windows detecting the adapter

  We'll get it connected to the router and online in Section 4.

• Installing Hardware: Install PC Card Adapter

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 2, which covers Home Networking Hardware Installation. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Configuration, Connecting PCs to Home Networks and Setting up File Sharing and Printer Sharing.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Installing the Router - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1789
  Installing the USB Adapter - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1790
  Installing the PCI Card Adapter - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1791
  Installing the PC Card Adapter - This Lesson

  In this lesson take our notebook out back (it was a nice day) and insert the PC Card wireless network adapter into a open PC Card slot. Just like in the previous two lessons we show how to install the configuration software that came with the adapter. We will get the computer connected to the router and on the Internet in Section 4.

  This lesson goes on to cover:
  *Installing the PC Card Wireless Adapter Software
  *Removing the place holder in the PC Card slot
  *Inserting the PC Card network adapter
  *Showing Windows detecting the wireless adapter

  That's the end of Section 2. In Section 3 we will take a look at the routers configuration and get it ready for all of our computers to connect.

• Configure Router: Wireless Security

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 3, which covers Home Networking Hardware Configuration. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Installation, Connecting PCs to Home Networks and Setting up File Sharing and Printer Sharing.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Wireless Security - This Lesson
  Firmware & Access - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1794

  In this lesson, we begin by logging into the router and creating an admin password making sure know one but you can get into the routers configuration. We then go through the settings required to get the router and the modem to connect to each other. Next we go to the wireless network settings and make changes so that only your computers can get onto the network. We will connect our computers to the router and get them online in Section 4.

• Configure Router: Firmware & Access

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 3, which covers Home Networking Hardware Configuration. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Installation, Connecting PCs to Home Networks and Setting up File Sharing and Printer Sharing.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Wireless Security - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1793
  Firmware & Access - This Lesson

  In this lesson, we show you how to save the configuration changes we made in Lesson 1 (http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/1793) and how to update the routers firmware. The Firmware is the operating system of the router. Next we show how to deny Internet access to a specific computer and how to set a schedule for the restrictions.

• Connecting PC's: Family Room PC with Vista

  In this lesson, we go to the Family Room computer to get it on the network. We show how to get it online using the configuration utility that came with the wireless network adapter. Then we show how to get it online using just the configuration utility that is built into Windows Vista.

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 4, which covers Connecting PCs to Your Home Network. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Installation, Home Networking Configuration and Setting up File Sharing and Printer Sharing.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Connecting the Family Room PC - This Lesson
  Connecting the Living Room PC - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1796
  Connecting a Notebook PC - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1797

• Connecting PC's: Living Room PC with XP

  In this lesson, we go to the Living Room computer to get it on the network and online. This computer is running Windows XP with the PCI card wireless network adapter. Just like in Lesson 1 we can it online using both the configuration utility that shipped with the adapter then using the utility that ships with Windows XP.

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 4, which covers Connecting PCs to Your Home Network. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Installation, Home Networking Configuration and Setting up File Sharing and Printer Sharing.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Connecting the Family Room PC - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1795
  Connecting the Living Room PC - This Lesson
  Connecting a Notebook PC - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1797

• Connecting PC's: Notebook PC

  In this lesson, we go to the Notebook computer to get it on the network and online. This computer is also running Windows XP and it has the PC Card wireless network adapter. Once again we show getting it online with both configuration utilities, but with this network adapter we have to switch between the utilities manually.

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 4, which covers Connecting PCs to Your Home Network. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Installation, Home Networking Configuration and Setting up File Sharing and Printer Sharing.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Connecting the Family Room PC - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1795
  Connecting the Living Room PC - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1796
  Connecting a Notebook PC - This Lesson

• File Sharing: Disabling Software Firewalls

  We recommend turning off all software firewalls on your computer before you try to share files and printers. The firewalls will often block the sharing without any notification they did so. This leaves you guessing as to whether the troubles you're having are with your networking settings or the firewall. By turning the firewalls off we remove this variable. If you need the firewalls you can re-enable them after your file and printers sharing is working and then deal just with the firewall settings if the sharing stops working.

  We show turning off the firewall built into Windows XP and Vista as well as 4 major software firewall makers.

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 4, which covers setup of Printer and File Sharing. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Installation, Home Networking Configuration and Connecting PCs and Laptops to the Home Network.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Disabling Firewalls - This Lesson
  Configuring Windows Networking - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1799
  Printer Sharing - XP & Vista - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1800
  Real World Sharing - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1786
  Connecting to Shares - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1785

• File Sharing: Configuring Windows Networking

  In this lesson, we cover settings in Windows XP and Vista to clear the obstacles to sharing files and printers between your computer.

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 4, which covers setup of Printer and File Sharing. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Installation, Home Networking Configuration and Connecting PCs and Laptops to the Home Network.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Disabling Firewalls - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1798
  Configuring Windows Networking - This Lesson
  Printer Sharing - XP & Vista - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1800
  Real World Sharing - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1786
  Connecting to Shares - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1785

• File Sharing: Printers & Files in XP and Vista

  In this lesson, we show two computers: one running XP and the other Vista. They are both new installs so the settings we change are the default ones you would see if you never touched the networking and sharing settings. We set the computer and workgroup name, check the networking protocols, enable file and printer sharing in both XP and Vista. Then we share a few folders and printers on each computer.

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 4, which covers setup of Printer and File Sharing. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Installation, Home Networking Configuration and Connecting PCs and Laptops to the Home Network.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Disabling Firewalls - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1798
  Configuring Windows Networking - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1799
  Printer Sharing - XP & Vista - This Lesson
  Real World Sharing - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1786
  Connecting to Shares - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1785

• File Sharing: Real World Sharing

  In this lesson, we go to each of our computers, verify our networking and file sharing settings are correct and make changes when necessary. We then share several folders and printers on each computer. We'll connect to the shares in Lesson 5 (www.mindbites.com/lesson/1785).

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 4, which covers setup of Printer and File Sharing. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Installation, Home Networking Configuration and Connecting PCs and Laptops to the Home Network.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Disabling Firewalls - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1798
  Configuring Windows Networking - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1799
  Printer Sharing - XP & Vista - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1800
  Real World Sharing - This Lesson
  Connecting to Shares - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1785

• File Sharing: Connecting to Shares

  In this lesson, we show the viewer how to go back to each PC (one with XP and one with Vista) and connect to the files and printers we shared in Lesson 4 (www.mindbites.com/lesson/1786).

  This video is part of a broader set of videos that cover all aspects of home network setup and configuration. This particular lesson comes from section 4, which covers setup of Printer and File Sharing. Other sections include lessons that cover the topics of Networking Hardware Selection, Networking Hardware Installation, Home Networking Configuration and Connecting PCs and Laptops to the Home Network.

  The lessons in this section are:
  Disabling Firewalls - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1798
  Configuring Windows Networking - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1799
  Printer Sharing - XP & Vista - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1800
  Real World Sharing - www.mindbites.com/lesson/1786
  Connecting to Shares - This Lesson

Supplementary Files:

• Once you purchase this series you will have access to these files: