Home Network Windows Xp

Windows 7/Vista Home Networking Setup and Options

If you're used to home networking using Windows XP-based computers , then you're probably familiar with basic tasks such as connecting the PCs to the network and configuring file sharing . If you're planning to upgrade or switch to Windows Vista or to Windows 7, rest assured the process doesn't change too drastically. The hardest part for most people is figuring out where the menus for the networking and file-sharing options are hidden within the layers of the newer operating systems.

The network hardware used for this article, for people interested in such things, includes a Xincom (HC-0PG402) Twin Wan Router, D-Link 10/100 Ethernet switch, 3Com 3C17203 Switch, Motorola 5B5100 Cable Modem. We primarily connect the three PCs to the network and also use a D-Link AirPlus G - 2.4Ghz Wireless Access Point for connecting both a Windows XP-based notebook (that is not being upgraded) as well as a G4 Powerbook that is occasionally plugged in to the network as well. The upgrade was from Windows XP Home Service Pack 2 to Windows Vista Home Premium.

If you want to move network and other operating system settings (along with your data files) from systems running Windows XP to ones running Vista or Windows 7, you should consider using Microsoft's Windows Easy Transfer . This handy little tool, if used correctly, it will back up all your important XP data. During our test of using Windows Easy Transfer on three PCs, it also saved our XP workgroup and file sharing information. This goes a long way in getting your workgroups and file sharing configured in Windows Vista and Windows 7, particularly if you don't plan on making many changes to networking and sharing settings.

If you went for a clean install and are ready to get started with getting your computer's network settings correctly configured, you’ll first need to visit Vista/7's ' Network & Sharing Center' . The hardest part of using the new Network & Sharing Center is figuring out where the options are located to set up your networked PCs and devices. Quite often you will have to work your way through several layers of menus to find the options you want. In XP the options are usually only a click or two away. If you're too impatient to look around, here are the step-by step instructions to getting the PCs on your network communicating under Windows Vista and Windows 7.

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Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution
For DVD video playback: DVD drive and DVD decoder card or DVD decoder For Windows Movie Maker: Video capture feature requires appropriate For networking: Network adapter appropriate for the type of local-area, For instant messaging, voice and video conferencing, and application sharing, both parties need: Microsoft .