How to Network on XP Home
- 1). Plug the cross-over Ethernet cable into the Ethernet ports on the backs of each computer.
- 2). Turn on and boot up both computers.
- 3). Open the "Start" menu and click on "Control Panel."
- 4). Click "Network and Internet Connections."
- 5). Click the "Network Setup Wizard" icon.
- 6). Click "Next" three times to get to the "Select a connection method" screen.
- 7). Select the middle option, "This computer connects to the Internet through a residential gateway" and then click "Next" until you get to the "Give this computer a description and name" page.
- 8). Enter an appropriate, yet unique description and name in the boxes then click "Next."
- 9). Enter "Home" as the workgroup name, then click "Next."
- 10
Choose whether to share printers or files, then click "Next." Typically if the computers are not connected to the Internet, file sharing should be allowed because moving files between the computers is the reason for setting up the network. - 11
Click "Next" and then choose "Just finish the wizard" before clicking "Next" again. - 12
Click "Finish" and then "Yes" when you are asked to restart your computer. - 13
Repeat the computer setup portion for the other computer and then once both are restarted you will be able to share files between the two computers.
