Automatically log on to network

I have a wireless laptop which I regularly use in conjunction with a desktop
pc. I wish for the laptop to log on to the networked areas automatically
which doesn't happen at the moment. Every time I wish to log on to this
network areas I have to state the computer name and the password... How can
I stop this happening and speed things up?

Regards

Scott

Scott wrote:

> I have a wireless laptop which I regularly use in conjunction with a
> desktop
> pc. I wish for the laptop to log on to the networked areas automatically
> which doesn't happen at the moment. Every time I wish to log on to this
> network areas I have to state the computer name and the password... How
> can I stop this happening and speed things up?

What do you mean by "the network areas"? Do you mean shared folders on the
Desktop computer? If this is what you mean:

In Vista, turn Password Protected Sharing ON. Then create matching user
accounts and passwords on all machines. You do not need to be logged into
the same account on all machines and the passwords assigned to each user
account can be different; the accounts/passwords just need to exist and match
on all machines. DO NOT NEGLECT TO CREATE PASSWORDS, EVEN IF ONLY SIMPLE
ONES. If you wish a machine to boot directly to the Desktop (into one
particular user's account) for convenience, you can do this:

XP - Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) -
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm

Vista - Start Orb>Search box>type: netplwiz [enter]
Click on Continue (or supply an administrator's password) when prompted by
UAC

Uncheck the option "Users must enter a user name and password to use this
computer". Select a user account to automatically log on by clicking on the
desired account to highlight it and then hit OK. Enter the correct password
for that user account (if there is one) when prompted. Leave it blank if
there is no password (null).

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center, turn off Simple
File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab).

Once you are able to transfer files back and forth without getting the
request for authentication, you can create shortcuts to the shares on your
laptop's desktop. Double-clicking one of these shortcuts should open the
share immediately.

If this *isn't* what you meant, please clarify.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ