Temporarily joining a wifi network on xp

[cookie_365]

Hi all

At the moment I have wifi network at home (router wired to desktop PC, wifi to laptop) which I've set up to share my broadband connection and also to share files through XP explorer.

When I bring my work laptop home I sometimes need to copy files over. I can easily enough use the broadband connection via the router but it would be useful to be able to directly share files across computers.

I can't change the network settings on my work laptop and anyway wouldn't want to as it'd stop the laptop from working back in the office

At the moment I'm having to get by by emailing documents as attachments or using an online storage site, or by slow old bluetooth.

Ideally I'd like to temporarily add the laptop as an extra drive letter on the desktop.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[AntiSilence]

You'll have to make sure that both computers are on the same workgroup, then you can set a folder on the laptop as shared with write access, and then map it as a drive on your desktop PC.

[cookie_365]

Originally Posted by AntiSilence

You'll have to make sure that both computers are on the same workgroup, then you can set a folder on the laptop as shared with write access, and then map it as a drive on your desktop PC.

Thanks, but I can't change the network settings on the work laptop.

[AntiSilence]

Originally Posted by cookie_365

Thanks, but I can't change the network settings on the work laptop.

Well, you can change the workgroup name on the desktop to match the one on the laptop. Then you just need to share a folder, which should be okay.

Unless the laptop is connected to a domain, then you're going to have problems lol.

[cookie_365]

Originally Posted by AntiSilence

Well, you can change the workgroup name on the desktop to match the one on the laptop. Then you just need to share a folder, which should be okay.

Unless the laptop is connected to a domain, then you're going to have problems lol.

Guess what it's connected to

Network Magic works wonders for problems like this.
Cracking bit of software. Install, and connect to all PCs on a network, printers etc in minutes.

You could always use a flash drive if all else fails I guess.

[Graham M]

Do you connect wirelessly at work?

[cookie_365]

Originally Posted by kryogenik

Network Magic works wonders for problems like this.
Cracking bit of software. Install, and connect to all PCs on a network, printers etc in minutes.

You could always use a flash drive if all else fails I guess.

Great suggestion - but again it won't work for me as it alters the network settings, just in the background.

---------- Post added at 09:33 ---------- Previous post was at 09:33 ----------

Originally Posted by Graham M

Do you connect wirelessly at work?

Yes

Originally Posted by cookie_365

Great suggestion - but again it won't work for me as it alters the network settings, just in the background.

Ah.
Not 100% sure (I have used this in the past) but I thought it may only change settings as it's used? Once it's shut down your machine will revert?
Perhaps you could try the trial? Maybe create a restore point just before you install so you can flip back if it goes awry.

I wonder, could you create a new account on the machine that will use the new settings and wouldn't alter the settings for the main account?

[TheNorm]

Originally Posted by cookie_365

...When I bring my work laptop home I sometimes need to copy files over. I can easily enough use the broadband connection via the router but it would be useful to be able to directly share files across computers....

Have you considered using bluetooth? It is a bit slow and can be fiddly to set up, but is ideal for copying files from one computer to another.

Originally Posted by TheNorm

Have you considered using bluetooth? It is a bit slow and can be fiddly to set up, but is ideal for copying files from one computer to another.

Originally Posted by cookie_365

At the moment I'm having to get by by emailing documents as attachments or using an online storage site, or by slow old bluetooth.

[TheNorm]

[cookie_365]

Thanks for the suggestions all. I was expecting it to be easy but it looks like it aint - I'll stick to bluetooth.

Though if I can find a portable version of Pando that might be an alternative.

[AndyCambs]

It's unlikely you'll be able to change your work laptop for security reasons - company IT depts are normally quite fussy about handing out any admin permissions like this.
What you should be able to do is connect to the internet through your WiFi network.
If you want to transfer files - then you'll probably have to use a memory stick - which are getting lower in price now.

[ZrByte]

Wont it work the other way around? Setup a network share on your desktop and access from the works laptop? If you can access the internet you should have full LAN access too.