Networking between XP and Vista.

[wiretech]

I have established a network between by desktop computer and my laptop, so I can read and transfer files from one to the other. Both computers use Windows XP as the op. system. I am trying to add a new laptop that has Windows Vista as the op. system. Can anyone tell me how to add the new / vista laptop to my wireless network so that I can read and transfer files? I use a D-Link wireless router with a high speed internet connection. Please help. Thank you

[Spearball]

Windows Vista actually has an easier networking gui interface than xp. It can all be done in the network and sharing center.

Open it up from control panel and then choose connect to a network form the left task pane.

Connect to you d-link router and it will ask you to authenticate with your password key if you got one (Which is highly recommended).

Once you established a connection to you router and can access to internet, back in the network and sharing center you will see multiple options that ask if you want to share files and folders, etc.

Turn on network discovery and file sharing.

It should automatically configure your windows firewall.

Once that's done you should be able to see your vista laptop in the other computers network places/view workgroup computer. Also make sure the vista pc is on the same workgroup as the others, which if you are not sure what this is or didn't play around with those settings is should defaulty be WORKGROUP.

Last thing, you will notice that the vista pc will ask for a password when trying to open its shares, just enter the user name and password of the vista computer and your fine. I recommend to leave that on and just save the passwords on the other computers. If not, you can disable password protect in vista network and sharing center.