Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

Hi all

At the moment I have wifi network at home (router wired to desktop PC, wifi to laptop) which I've set up to share my broadband connection and also to share files through XP explorer.

When I bring my work laptop home I sometimes need to copy files over. I can easily enough use the broadband connection via the router but it would be useful to be able to directly share files across computers.

I can't change the network settings on my work laptop and anyway wouldn't want to as it'd stop the laptop from working back in the office ;)

At the moment I'm having to get by by emailing documents as attachments or using an online storage site, or by slow old bluetooth.

Ideally I'd like to temporarily add the laptop as an extra drive letter on the desktop.

Any suggestions?

Thanks :)

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

You'll have to make sure that both computers are on the same workgroup, then you can set a folder on the laptop as shared with write access, and then map it as a drive on your desktop PC.

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

Thanks, but I can't change the network settings on the work laptop.

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

Well, you can change the workgroup name on the desktop to match the one on the laptop. Then you just need to share a folder, which should be okay.

Unless the laptop is connected to a domain, then you're going to have problems lol.

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

:) Guess what it's connected to :(

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

Network Magic works wonders for problems like this.
Cracking bit of software. Install, and connect to all PCs on a network, printers etc in minutes.

You could always use a flash drive if all else fails I guess.

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

Do you connect wirelessly at work?

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

Great suggestion - but again it won't work for me as it alters the network settings, just in the background.

---------- Post added at 09:33 ---------- Previous post was at 09:33 ----------

Yes

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

Ah.
Not 100% sure (I have used this in the past) but I thought it may only change settings as it's used? Once it's shut down your machine will revert?
Perhaps you could try the trial? Maybe create a restore point just before you install so you can flip back if it goes awry.

I wonder, could you create a new account on the machine that will use the new settings and wouldn't alter the settings for the main account?

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

Have you considered using bluetooth? It is a bit slow and can be fiddly to set up, but is ideal for copying files from one computer to another.

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

;)

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

:tiptoe:

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

Thanks for the suggestions all. I was expecting it to be easy but it looks like it aint - I'll stick to bluetooth.

Though if I can find a portable version of Pando that might be an alternative.

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

It's unlikely you'll be able to change your work laptop for security reasons - company IT depts are normally quite fussy about handing out any admin permissions like this.
What you should be able to do is connect to the internet through your WiFi network.
If you want to transfer files - then you'll probably have to use a memory stick - which are getting lower in price now.

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

Wont it work the other way around? Setup a network share on your desktop and access from the works laptop? If you can access the internet you should have full LAN access too.

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

No. Routers allow the internet to be shared across each computer via the NAT, but sharing files is down to Windows Network settings.

It won't work because the laptop is set to connect to a domain, usually the companies web site address or similar (for example, cableforum.co.uk) and to be able to share from the desktop, it would also have to be connected to that domain.

Which can't be done because the domain controller will be the PC at work running Server 2000 or 2003.

And to be able to share files from the desktop, the laptops settings need to changed to connect to the home networks Workgroup. But that can't be done either.

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

Found a solution :)

FTP

I've installed Filezilla Server on my PC and FireFTP Firefox extension on my work laptop

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

Good thinking Batman! Never thought of that! LOL

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

Of course, I've probably just broadcast the entire contents of my PC to anyone on the web :)

Mods - check out my IP address and have a nosey around - you're welcome to my overdraft ;)

Re: Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp
 

If youre behind a router then nothing will get to the outside world unless you set up a port foward, and it should have a username and password on the server anyway.