network file share with homegroup and workgroup

Question

hi i have a common question/issue.

in my house there is 5 windows 7 laptops. (2Dell, 1Acer, 1HP, 1Toshiba), and 1 windows xp desktop(Dell)

now, the thing is, i have a second hard drive on the desktop, and i would like to use it for storage to access on the laptops, also there is files i would like to get from it, as using a usb is a bit of a pain, especially if you have multiple 1gb usb sticks and more that 8gb you want to move.

Now, i am not your average Joe shmoe, i happen to know a fair bit about computers. I do know that windows xp is not compatible with windows 7 homegroup.

so, 3 of the laptops(mine(dell, my two sisters HP,and toshiba) are in a homegroup and it works nice.

but however, i would like to be able to get the desktop on the network to be able to transfer files.

i have a proper network setup. all computers connect to my D-link DIR-835 dual broadband. its a new router, bought around October, so it does support DLNA.

desktop is Ethernet, my laptop is Ethernet, the other 4 laptops are wireless.

if you need a map pic, ill go make one on paint.

so, can someone please tell me how to get this working? i did see something about that Workgroup MUST have the same name, but with the articles spamming with the different connection types, i really couldn't understand.

i find pictures is alot easier to understand but any help is help. and if someone knows this easy: how do i get a printer driver files? because this printer we have i somehow got the driver for it and its working but i don't remember where i got it or how and i need to put the drivers on the other laptops. because right now, my sisters have to print through my laptop.

Please help me! Thanks, inverno4661

PudgyOne · Answer

inverno4661,

I think you want to read this article...

Share Files and Printers between Windows 7 and XP This works both ways

I'm not sure if you need to have a Joe Schmoe account and password on each system.

Virus programs and firewalls will block communications.

I doubt this article is what you'll need, since the XP system in in the loop.

How to Network with HomeGroup in Windows 7

Rick

inverno4661 · Answer

actually i already saw that article and read it and the computer is not showing up on my laptop. even though they are both in the same workgroup, MSHOME. it won't let me change the one on the xp, but i can on my laptop. however, i still am able to ping my laptop with he desktop and has a active return of 1ms. but my laptop pinging the xp it doesn't respond. here is a screen shot of the problems: they wernt working for me today i dont know why, they were (1483X1024) pixel pics, 4.5 ish MB BMP filetypes

anyway one screen shot is that when i click "show workgorup computers" it just makes a 'thump/dunk" sound, and doesnt do anything.

the other was, "you can change the name of the computer. you must install networking before you can change this computer's domain membership."

so i don't know if that propbally means that i need a link for something and then it will work, but it would be nice for someone to tell me.

thanks, inverno4661.

PudgyOne · Answer

inverno4661,   I don't think you can use MSHOME as the name. I'm not sure if you can use WORKGROUP or another name     Rick

PudgyOne · Answer

inverno4661,   Try reading this article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/295017       Rick

inverno4661 · Answer

ok good the pics worked now, and as a said before, it won't let me rename the desktop one.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

network file share with homegroup and workgroup

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