Old PC can't see the network (modem, wifi, transfer, reset)

[CharlieB]

Old PC is running WindowsXP for a looooong time. It is old, but it worked and still does.

I bought the new PC. New PC runs Vista (like it, no complaints) and at the same time I switched to a “hard wire” network from a very old WiFi network.

OK, I bought a “switch”.

NEW computer sees the LAN and the Comcast connection no problem.

OLD computer, still running XP, knows there’s a network but cannot connect to either the new computer or the Comcast internet.

Why?

I MUST at least get these two computers on the local network long enough to transfer files.

Any suggestions? Any additional info needed to help me?

Thanks in advance.

[EscapeCalifornia]

You need a router, not a switch. You new computer is getting an IP address from Comcast, the old computer isn't, so it's giving itself an IP address that's on a different network. Do you plan on keeping both computers running for a while? If so, replace that switch with a router. If not, see below:

Edit the properties on both network adapters and assign an IP address manually. Assign one computer the address 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.2 to the other computer. Use a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 on both. Leave the gateway and DNS fields blank. This will put them both on the same IP network. If you get a router, you won't have to bother setting IP addresses manually but you'll still need to configure Windows networking.

You should be able to open a command prompt and ping each computer from the other. If it doesn't work, make sure you don't have any firewalls running on either computer. Once you can ping, you need to configure Windows networking.

The easiest thing is to share your XP machine's entire C drive. Right click on the C drive and go to sharing. Share it and call it something like C.

Let's assume the XP machine is called "oldpc". If you don't know your XP computer's name, right click, properties on My Compute and look under the Computer Name tab.

Go to a Windows explorer (not Internet Explorer) window on the Vista machine and type "\\oldpc\c" without the quotes. You should then see your XP machine's entire C drive. Just browse around and drag files over as needed.

When you're done, be sure to unshare the C drive, re-enable your firewalls if you disabled them, and set your IP addresses back to "obtain automatically" on both machines.

[Tek_Freek]

Excellent tutorial.

After making the changes above don't expect to see the Internet. It is unlikely that the Comcast modem uses the 192 addressing scheme, so be sure to reset to "obtain automatically" as noted above.

[CharlieB]

Thanks to both of you.

The instructions are very clear. I hope to get this done this weekend.

I'll let you know how I make out or if I have any problems.

[Tek_Freek]

Escape it won't let me rep you yet, but I will when I'm able. Very nice write up.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

Escape it won't let me rep you yet, but I will when I'm able. Very nice write up.

Thanks!