I recently built a second Computer (from random crud) running XP and have been trying to connect to it via Ethernet to my 7 Beta machine (I'm assuming the net stuff is the same as on Vista although I never had it). I thought it was a simple as wiring them together using a cat5 crossover cable and apparently it isn't. How on earth do I access files/use Remote desktop from my 7 PC to my XP PC?
How did you set your IP addresses? Among the things that you need to do: You have to manually set the IP addresses to be in the same subnet. (ex. 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.2 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0) That should be enough to get them talking to each other. (see if you can ping from one to the other and vice versa) Then you need to set up file sharing on each machine shuch that they have permissions and access to each other. It isn't that hard but it isn't that easy either. A basic understanding of networking helps. If the learning curve is too inconvenient, I suggest going out and getting a cheap broadband router, then set both PCs and the router for DHCP and (like magic) instant connectivity. You still need to set up file sharing, though.
--works using the following settings.... in XP: In 7: Note: since my last post I've updated to 7 RC. Also if XP computer boots first the network adapter in 7 must be disabled and re-enabled. A final point; To use remote desktop you must have a password on computer your connecting to. NOT buying a KVM now buying a Gigabit Ethernet card for older computer Thanks dailun you saved me £10