Compatability with XP Pro and Home Networking

My home computer currently has XP Pro on it and I'm looking at purchasing a
laptop that has Media Center Edition on it. If I purchase this, and I hook
it up to a router, will my XP Pro computer be able to link (network) with the
Media Center laptop? This is important for file sharing from one computer to
the other without having to burn a CD and then switch the data manually to my
home PC. Please let me know if this is possible. I will be purchasing the
laptop within the week.

 

Yes, no problems at all. Especially if you create matching accounts (username and passwords) on each machine.

 

Doug, strange reading your reply. I'm having this very problem today. I
believe your answer since when I first got my laptop (WXPMCE) about a week
ago I successfully set it up on my existing wireless home network and was
able to get files moved/shared. However, today I can't get access to MSHome
computers over this same network. I've done some research and was able to
ping all the computer ip addresses from each other; however, I still get the
message Mshome not accessible ... Network path was not found. Any ideas
about what might have happened? Thanks!

 

If you can ping the other computers you need to check any installed firewall (on all computers), including the Windows Firewall and ensure that File and Print sharing is allowed. Additionally, as I mentioned, having duplicate username/passwords on all machines facilitates access. You do need to actually log into the accounts, at least once.

 

Doug, I've turned off all firewall's--Windows and third party. When I set my
laptop up using "Network Connections" I did specify print and file sharing
was to be allowed; however, I checked "Programs Access and Defauts" and found
a MSWXPMCE component called "Printer and File Sharing" which was unchecked.
I assumed this might have been the problem so I checked it, went throught the
network connection setup again with all computers on, etc. and it did not
resolve the problem. There appears to be a lot of discussion in other
postings where others are having networking problems with Media Center. I am
puzzled. As I mentioned I was able to share files without any problems. I
wondering if there might be a problem with a recent MCE update!?

Thanks for your continuing help!

 

Not that I'm aware of. I've got 3 MCE 2005 machines running here, with a mixture of XP Pro and Vista machines and I'm not seeing any problems, and all machines are fully up to date.

Have you tried accessing the Administrative Shares? \\<machinename>\c$ and etc? By default, these are turned on, and you'll be prompted for an Administrator level username/password, unless you already have a matching username and password on the destination computer.

 

And if you're using ZoneAlarm (and maybe other firewalls), you need to add
the other PC's IP addresses to the "Trusted Zone".

Dana Cline - MCE MVP

If you can ping the other computers you need to check any installed firewall
(on all computers), including the Windows Firewall and ensure that File and
Print sharing is allowed. Additionally, as I mentioned, having duplicate
username/passwords on all machines facilitates access. You do need to
actually log into the accounts, at least once.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com

 

Thanks Doug. While waiting I decided to try simply setting up a new
workgroup. When I did this, I was able to access my desktop where a lot of
the data files that I want to migrate to my new laptop. I hope this is cure
and the last time you'll need to hear from me. I appreciate you timely
responses and your willing to help!!!

Lee

 

Thanks Dana. I do use ZoneAlarm on two of the three computers I'm trying to
network and I have added the new laptop's IP address to the trusted zones on
the others. As noted in my reply to Doug, I started over and set up a new
workgroup and this seems to have solved my problem. Thanks for your
willingness to help!

 

Glad you're up and working. Odd that you'd have to create a new workgroup, but.............

 

It's weird that you had to create a new workgroup, but we'll remember that
for future issues.

Dana Cline - MCE MVP

 

Hi Doug,

I just found this site and this thread. At this point I'm REALLY, REALLY
FRUSTRATED!

I just bought a Toshiba A105 laptop with XP MCE installed. I want to set up
a simple LAN at home consisting of a desktop system with XP Pro installed,
the laptop both connected to the internet through a Linksys BEFSX41 Broadband
Firewall Router.

Here's what I did:
1. I'm able to connect to the internet from both systemsafter configuring
the router.
2. I disabled the antivirus software and Zone Alarm Pro firewall on each
system.
3. I used the Network Setup Wizard on each system to assign them both to
the same workgroup.
4. I disabled Windows Firewall and on TCP/IP under WINS I selected "Enable
NetBIOS over TCP/IP".
5. I enabled print and file sharing and setup a "Share" folder on each
system.

When I go to "Other Places" under Network Connections and select My Network
Places on each computer and select "View Workgroup Computers" under Network
Tasks I can see each system on the XP Pro desktop system and nothing on the
MCE laptop only a message that says:
"<workgroup> not accessable. You might not have permission to use this
network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if
you have access permissions.

I thought about doing an "upgrade" from MCE to Pro but Toshiba tells me if I
do this, I will probably disable several of the drivers that the laptop needs
to work, so that's out.

If I can't make this work it looks like my only solution is to take the
laptop back and buy one (for about $1K more!!!!) with XP Pro loaded.

I don't get this. I consider myself to be very computer and networking
savvy, but this blows! I hope that someone has some thoughts and/or ideas.

The funny thing is that I bought a Mac the day before I bought the laptop
because I wanted to get away from these type of problems associated with
Windows,but had "buyers remorse" and returned it and got the laptop instead.
As I tell my friends, "First thought... Best Thought."

TIA for any help.

Kind regards.

The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available."

 

In a Workgroup environment:

1) For LAN access to shared resources, use matching username/password combinations on both machines. Ensure that both accounts are logged into at least once, and that both have passwords. Blank passwords do not work by default.

2) Disable Simple File Sharing (Windows Explorer, Tools, Folder Options, View tab and scroll all the way down). By default this is turned on in XP Pro and MCE (since its built on Pro).

3) If you don't use matching username and password combo's you'll have to set Everyone permissions on the shared resources and use GPEDIT.MSC to change one setting. Let Everyone include Anonymous (but this is bad practice unless you really have to have it). In GPEDIT this is found in Local Computer Policy, Windows Settings, Security Settings, Local Policies, Security Options, Network Access: Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users.

 

And once you get it working with Doug's info, when you restart Zone Alarm
you need to go add both machines (or your entire 256-PC range) to the
Trusted Zone.

Dana Cline - MCE MVP