network users

[nicke261192]

just set up network today was my first and i connected just 2 pc's together via ethernet for the time being. getting a router when it comes next week.

There are 2 computers
first is a time 80gb model fairly new with xp home
second was donated by a place called work base with windows 2000

i installed windows xp pro on the second so now 1 has xp home and 2 has xp pro. on to my question

i have networked them together and you can access number 1 on number 2 and vice versa and i was wondering. i want to go about having 7 users but how can i have it so they are the same on both pcs and have the same my documents, passwords etc so that if someone changes there password on computer 1 in my documents they can access it on computer two in my documents?

any ideas? thanks nick


I CAN PUT XP PRO ON COMPUTER ONE IF IT HELPS

[LemonyBrainAid]

Okay - Hold up here..

You are being paid to set up networks.. yet the one you are being paid for - is the first one you have ever set up... ?

Did the company not want an experienced person to handle their networking issues ? The company must not be very... clever - shall we say.

[nicke261192]

not a company its an association with little funds (tara) no employees at all. they cant afford pro's and this is the first wired network ive done. ive dont wireless before at home but never done this with users. i am being payed

[MovedGoalPosts]

Where does it say he has been paid - all it says is it's his first network

To the real question however, setup of the user profiles (profiles retain the user settings of desktops, my documents etc). Firstly XP home and XP Pro are different products, XP Pro is more used to the idea of networked controls, so that may be more needed.

The only way I know how to share profiles, needs some form of server that is controlling the domain of the various PCs. Thus the PCs rely on the server to get all their settings. The closest you might be able to get to this without a server as such would be to create shared folders on one computer that each user stores their files on regardless of their using PC#1 or PC #2.

[nicke261192]

i will install xp pro on pc 1 then so how do i change the location of the profiles

[LemonyBrainAid]

Originally Posted by Rob C

Where does it say he has been paid - all it says is it's his first network

To the real question however, setup of the user profiles (profiles retain the user settings of desktops, my documents etc). Firstly XP home and XP Pro are different products, XP Pro is more used to the idea of networked controls, so that may be more needed.

The only way I know how to share profiles, needs some form of server that is controlling the domain of the various PCs. Thus the PCs rely on the server to get all their settings. The closest you might be able to get to this without a server as such would be to create shared folders on one computer that each user stores their files on regardless of their using PC#1 or PC #2.

Right here.

[nicke261192]

back to my question any programs?

[Paul K]

Could install Server 2003, or read this or this

[nffc]

You need a server to set up roaming profiles.

[Gareth]

Go the whole hog and have a server running as your Domain Controller running Active Directory... it doesn't need to be a powerful box to run as a DC.

Irrespective of whether you're being paid for this or not, I think you should clearly explain to whoever asked you to do this job that you have never done it before, as it appears to me that they think that you're experienced in it and know what you're doing. no offence intended, but it's clearly not the case.

If their expectations of what you know how to do differ from what is really the case, then this whole thing could all end very nastily. It'd be better to clearly explain what you do know already, and what you're prepared to read about and teach yourself, to avoid any confusion and/or misunderstanding.

If you're being paid to do this job, then it's even more essential that you do this.

And are we being paid for providing Technical Support?

[Millay]

Hey common now people, this kid is being paid by his dad to help set up a network for a not for profit.. no money organisation.... lets help him not.. its his dad not a company.

I would say that your getting a bit ahead of youself, trying to do roaming profiles etc..

All you need to do is set up a a shared folder on the network that people read and write there data to instead of my documents. as is the fashion of a workgroup set up.. anything is going to be overly complex to set up and support.

---------- Post added at 12:24 ---------- Previous post was at 12:22 ----------

It is definatly worthwhile putting XP pro onb all machines, its easier in the long run if all machines are running the same os.

[Matthew]

Might be worth installing a Linux box and running that as the server, put the profiles etc on that and then you can even run a mail server on it.

[Gareth]

Ahh, is that what this 'organisation' is? I was wondering what that was all about. I guessed it was detailed in some thread that I've not read. That makes it better then... although I will still be charging my 'consultancy' fee plus per diems

[Graham M]

Originally Posted by Millay

It is definatly worthwhile putting XP pro onb all machines, its easier in the long run if all machines are running the same os.

Of course remembering that you'll need XP PRO licenses for all PCs if you do that