wireless network file sharing

nginear_6188 · 03-01-2009, 12:11 AM

Hi everyone.

After years of viewing the forums here through Google searches I finally decided to join. With that said, I have done a brief search of the forums and have not found anything with my exact situation so here it is:

I have a wireless network in my home. I have the wireless router in my computer room connected to my newest laptop (Vista Home Premium SP1). In the next room I have my older laptop (XP Media Center SP2) connected to a television (as a second monitor). I have 3 external hard drives all connected to the Vista laptop that have tv show episodes and movies that I have acquired over the years (mainly through my tv tuners).

I want to be able to access these video files from the XP (older) laptop and play them on the tv that it is connected to.

I have tried to set this up on my own but feel like I am missing one or two options.

I was wondering if I could get some advice, perhaps some tutorial sites or other help so that I can make this possible.

I am currently forced to transport the externals to the other room every time my girlfriend and I want to watch any of the videos on the tv (much larger than a laptop screen haha) and as you can imagine, this is a huge hassle to do since I also use the externals for work and need them connected to the newer laptop at most times (i.e. I remote desktop when at work and need access to them).

Thanks in advance. Hope to hear back soon!

**johnwill** · 03-01-2009, 09:58 AM

You should be able to network the machines and access the files remotely.

This TCP/IP Home Networking and File Sharing Tutorial should get you started.

03-01-2009, 12:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
nginear_6188 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1 OS: Vista SP1	wireless network file sharing Hi everyone. After years of viewing the forums here through Google searches I finally decided to join. With that said, I have done a brief search of the forums and have not found anything with my exact situation so here it is: I have a wireless network in my home. I have the wireless router in my computer room connected to my newest laptop (Vista Home Premium SP1). In the next room I have my older laptop (XP Media Center SP2) connected to a television (as a second monitor). I have 3 external hard drives all connected to the Vista laptop that have tv show episodes and movies that I have acquired over the years (mainly through my tv tuners). I want to be able to access these video files from the XP (older) laptop and play them on the tv that it is connected to. I have tried to set this up on my own but feel like I am missing one or two options. I was wondering if I could get some advice, perhaps some tutorial sites or other help so that I can make this possible. I am currently forced to transport the externals to the other room every time my girlfriend and I want to watch any of the videos on the tv (much larger than a laptop screen haha) and as you can imagine, this is a huge hassle to do since I also use the externals for work and need them connected to the newer laptop at most times (i.e. I remote desktop when at work and need access to them). Thanks in advance. Hope to hear back soon!

03-01-2009, 09:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,711 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: wireless network file sharing You should be able to network the machines and access the files remotely. This TCP/IP Home Networking and File Sharing Tutorial should get you started. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience