Jack, thanks so much for the explaination and the links.
I'll report back after I dhave igested this info and tried it out.
It may take a while!
thanks again.
Al

"Jack [MVP-Networking]" wrote in message
...
Hi
If the two computers are connected to the same router and can access the
Internet then they are already Networked.
In order to exchange file between them you have to configure the File
sharing on each computer.
Maybe this can Help.
Win 7 - When configured on peer-to-peer Network, Win 7 has three types of
Sharing configurations.
Home Network = Works only between Win 7 computers. This type of
configuration makes it very easy to Entry Level Users to start Network
sharing.
Work Network = Basically similar to the previous methods of sharing that
let you control what, how, and to whom folders would be shared with.
Public Sharing = Public Network (like Internet cafe) to reduce security
risks.
The Work Network is the one that most of us are going (and need) to use.
Win 7 Work Network's Sharing settings are in principle similar to Vista's
configuration, some menus locations in Win 7 might be in different place,
and look a little different, but it should not be a problem to adapt.
Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local
traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should
be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers
on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party
Firewall instructions.
General example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trusted
Win7 -
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...ons-of-Windows
Win7 - Work Network with a little visual help,
,http://www.onecomputerguy.com/window...s7_sharing.htm
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb727037.aspx
Windows XP File Sharing -
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...utt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista (Not need for XP-SP3) -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
When finished with the setting of the system it is advisable to Reboot all
the hardware including Router and all computers involved.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking).



"~hp-hdx~" wrote in message
...
Hi,
I've not networked anything yet and am about to try it and thought I may
save some time by asking here a couple of general questions.
The setlup cosists of a laptop with wifi, and a desktop without wifi. I
am sharing internet access with the two pcs via a wifi router. The
desktop is cat5'ed to the router, the router cat5'ed to the modem. I
have no problem connecting to the internet on either machine.
The desktop is running XP professional, and the laptop is running windows
7 home basic.

1. Can you network XP and windows 7 together?
2. Does it matter which one you run the network wizard on, and if so,
which one should I try it with.
3. Would I better off buying 3rd party networking software and using
that instead of the microsoft nework wizards?

Thanks for any help with this, and I appologize in advance for asking
such basic questions.

Al