How do I connect a laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium to a network of
several computers running Windows XP Professional using network cables?

When I select "Connect to" in the start menu, set up a "connection or
network", the available options include:
1. "Connect to the internet", but the laptop is already connected to the
internet
2. "Set up a wireless router or access point" - I don't want this
3. "Manually connect to a wireless network" - I want to connect to a
non-wireless network
4. "Set up a wireless ad hoc network" - I use wires!
5. "Set up a dial up connection" - I have a broadband connection already
working
6. "Connect to a workplace" - I want to make the laptop part of the home
network

Which of these options should I choose, or should I do something totally
different?

Rouke wrote:

How do I connect a laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium to a network
of several computers running Windows XP Professional using network cables?

When I select "Connect to" in the start menu, set up a "connection or
network", the available options include:
1. "Connect to the internet", but the laptop is already connected to the
internet
2. "Set up a wireless router or access point" - I don't want this
3. "Manually connect to a wireless network" - I want to connect to a
non-wireless network
4. "Set up a wireless ad hoc network" - I use wires!
5. "Set up a dial up connection" - I have a broadband connection already
working
6. "Connect to a workplace" - I want to make the laptop part of the home
network

Which of these options should I choose, or should I do something totally
different?

How is the network configured? The normal way would be for the computers
(your XP Pro machines in this case) to be connected by ethernet cables to a
router (or a switch connected to a router). If this is your situation, then
just plug an ethernet cable into your laptop's ethernet port and plug the
other end into a free port on the router or switch.

If you are trying to connect wirelessly, that's another story. Please
provide the missing details about your network so we can help you.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

"Rouke" wrote:

How do I connect a laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium to a network of
several computers running Windows XP Professional using network cables?

When I select "Connect to" in the start menu, set up a "connection or
network", the available options include:
1. "Connect to the internet", but the laptop is already connected to the
internet
2. "Set up a wireless router or access point" - I don't want this
3. "Manually connect to a wireless network" - I want to connect to a
non-wireless network
4. "Set up a wireless ad hoc network" - I use wires!
5. "Set up a dial up connection" - I have a broadband connection already
working
6. "Connect to a workplace" - I want to make the laptop part of the home
network

Which of these options should I choose, or should I do something totally
different?


Click Network in Start Menu. Click Network and Sharing tab at top of page.
Turn on Network Discovery, if not already on. Does the name of your LAN show
just below the map? Does it show as Private or Public? If Public, click
Custimize and change to Private.
Another problem could be the Workgroup name. Vista uses Workgroup while XP
uses MSHome as default name. Open System in Control Panel and click System
protection in top left corner. Click Computer Name tab. Is Workgroup the same
as other computers? If not click Change button and change to same Workgroup
name.

Hope this helps. Will check back.

DLSayremn

Only because it hasn't been stated in so many words, between options 1
through 6 your answer is none of the above.

The ethernet adapter is auto-detected as a network connection and whatever
LAN device you connect to that card should also be auto detected (assuming
Windows default settings). Some old network hardware might be problematic.
What you need to do is make sure that the connection type for the adapter is
set to Private network in the Network and Sharing Center, that at least
Network Discovery and File sharing are turned on and that the computer has a
unique name and the correct workgroup or domain name (Control Panel-System).
You can change TCP/ip settings for the adapter if necessary to conform to
how you have your LAN configured, or leave it in the default DHCP
auto-config. If you are using MAC filtering on the LAN you'll need to add
the new ethernet adapter's MAC address in order for it to be able to
connect. Unless you had a previous internet connection on a different
adapter that you were using on that computer IE etc. should also
automatically find the internet once the computer is connected to the LAN.


"Rouke" wrote in message
...
How do I connect a laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium to a network
of several computers running Windows XP Professional using network cables?

When I select "Connect to" in the start menu, set up a "connection or
network", the available options include:
1. "Connect to the internet", but the laptop is already connected to the
internet
2. "Set up a wireless router or access point" - I don't want this
3. "Manually connect to a wireless network" - I want to connect to a
non-wireless network
4. "Set up a wireless ad hoc network" - I use wires!
5. "Set up a dial up connection" - I have a broadband connection already
working
6. "Connect to a workplace" - I want to make the laptop part of the home
network

Which of these options should I choose, or should I do something totally
different?

Thanks Ralf,

It works now, perhaps partly because of your advice, but Norton Protection
Centre's Trust Level was also set to Restrict.

Cheers,

"RalfG" wrote in message
...
Only because it hasn't been stated in so many words, between options 1
through 6 your answer is none of the above.

The ethernet adapter is auto-detected as a network connection and whatever
LAN device you connect to that card should also be auto detected (assuming
Windows default settings). Some old network hardware might be problematic.
What you need to do is make sure that the connection type for the adapter
is set to Private network in the Network and Sharing Center, that at least
Network Discovery and File sharing are turned on and that the computer has
a unique name and the correct workgroup or domain name (Control
Panel-System). You can change TCP/ip settings for the adapter if necessary
to conform to how you have your LAN configured, or leave it in the default
DHCP auto-config. If you are using MAC filtering on the LAN you'll need to
add the new ethernet adapter's MAC address in order for it to be able to
connect. Unless you had a previous internet connection on a different
adapter that you were using on that computer IE etc. should also
automatically find the internet once the computer is connected to the LAN.


"Rouke" wrote in message
...
How do I connect a laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium to a network
of several computers running Windows XP Professional using network
cables?

When I select "Connect to" in the start menu, set up a "connection or
network", the available options include:
1. "Connect to the internet", but the laptop is already connected to the
internet
2. "Set up a wireless router or access point" - I don't want this
3. "Manually connect to a wireless network" - I want to connect to a
non-wireless network
4. "Set up a wireless ad hoc network" - I use wires!
5. "Set up a dial up connection" - I have a broadband connection already
working
6. "Connect to a workplace" - I want to make the laptop part of the home
network

Which of these options should I choose, or should I do something totally
different?