"Notts Ash" wrote:

will it be possible for a vista and xp computer to link together in a network

Yes. If you are using a router here is how I did it. Hope it works for you.

I am using a Linksys Router for my home network on which is the Desktop
(Vista Ultimate) my Laptop (XP Professional), a LaserJet Printer, and a Voice
over Internet Phone System. Here is how I got the Vista OS and the XP OS to
communicate:


1. For the XP I used the Install Home Network to set up the private network
which I called MS home. Still on the XP machine I ran the cmd to get into
the DOS environment. In this environment I checked the MShome network just
installed via the ipconfig command to ascertain what the TP address of the
gateway address for this network.

The ipconfig will give two pieces of information to assist checking out the
network:
a. The IP address of the Laptop on the MSHome Network.
b. Default Gateway IP address. I use a LINKSYS router so the default
gateway should display 192.168.1.1. Make a note of these addresses. Still
on the Laptop pull up the window
c. In the lower right-hand-corner right-click the Network Connectivity Icon
which becomes visible when my MShome network is active. Scroll down to Open
Network Connections and click on it. This will open a window showing all
network connections. Right-click the one ‘Local Area Connection’ which will
open ‘Local Area Connection Properties’ in this Window scroll down and select
‘Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Click on properties to double check the default
gateway: it should be 192.168.1.1
d. Now close down all Windows on the Laptop.
2. Vista has a lot of intelligence built into it so there is no need to go
through the motions of setting up a home network; however, we must give Vista
the IP address of the default gateway of Local Area Network resulting from
setting up the Local Area Network on the Laptop i.e. (192.168.1.1.)
a. Go to the Vista Control Panel Home, I like the non-classic view – it’s
much easier to navigate from one process to another; however, if you prefer
use the Classic View.
b. Click on Network and Internet.
c. Click on Network and Sharing Center and then click View Status on the
right-hand-side of the Local Area Connection Status window. When this
opens click on Properties.
d. Choose the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPV4), make sure it is
checked and then open the Properties Window.
e. When the Properties Window opens click on Advanced. In the lower half of
the Advanced Window check to see if there is a default gateway specified. If
not, then do so by clicking ADD under the Default Gateways window.
f. When the ADD window opens, type in the IP Address for the Router:
(192.168.1.1) and leave the Automatic Metric checked.
g. Work your way back to the Desktop by closing all Windows.
3. Restart both computers so see if they find each other. It doesn’t matter
which one start first; however, it is important that both are on the network
before trying any file sharing among them. Going this route obviates the
need to get a wireless router. If one of the computers is down – that
computer will not show on the network. When it comes active again, it will
automatically show.. Sometimes it takes a few minutes for a computer to
become fully recognized on a simple home network.

I hope this helps.