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I have just started a new puter. They both have inet access to the internets. How can I get them to talk to each other? 1 is running xp home (box) 1 is running xp pro (OEM) both are plugged into a DSL router (broadnexent brightpoint). In spefcif I want to play Itunes that are on the older on the newer but My goal is really greater than that I want to share files.

Are you sure your DSL router doesn't already do that?  Windows networking is pretty brainless, in my experience -- if two computers are plugged into the same router, they'll see each other without needing any nudging.  See if one computer shows up to the other in "My Network Places".

I usually just make sure they are part of the same workgroup. If you can't them through "My Network Places" you can search for the computer name like you do files.

Try this (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/default.mspx), follow the links for the type of network you have (I think wired, but your router seems to be wireless, so that might apply), and then follow the "set up the computer for home networking" link there.

What he said. After that you just need to Share whichever folders you want both machines to see. Right click on a folder and select "Sharing and Security" and turn on "Share this folder on the network". There may already be a folder shared by default when you open up the other computer in My Network Places.

First thanks for the attempted help guys. Unfortunately it is not helping. I will try to explain a bit better. It is a wired network. Ethernet to a dsl (4 port)  router. My ISP provides static IP. Running the network set up wizard I am using "This compurer connects to the internet though a residential gateway or through another computer on my network" ( could this be an issue? I know XP Pro is capable of being a gateway itsself). I have named both. have tried searching for the name, I have tried searching for the IP. When i go to my network places on either computer all i I see is itself. I have dragged all hard disks on either computer to shared files. Both are assigned to the same workgroup (ms home the default). Just for fun my computer arrived DOA. A little looking found the motherboard power connections unplugged as well as dvd ROM/cd burner. Then it was fussy about booting. Just minutes ago i tried bridging the pins on the motherboard with a screwdriver and presto boot up so i got a flaky power switch on the case. This hobby is fun. Both computers access the internet fine at the same time. I cant think of anything else at this moment but please ask a question or suggest something if you think it would help. If I could drop a cc number and solve this I would at this moment. Could it be the 37 firewalls? seems like it could.

Do both computers have the same name? ie MY COMPUTER? I always name my computers different things.

oldguy and newbie

Are you using DHCP and/or NAT?

Bring up a command window on both machines and type in "ipconfig /all" (no quotes). Are the IP addresses that are being used 192.168.XXX.XXX numbers or some other form?

Just for an example, let's say one machine is 192.168.0.100 and the other is 192,168.0.101. On the .100 machine if you type "ping 192.168.0.101" does it see the other machine and vice versa?

If you can ping the .101 machine from the .100, on the .100 machine go to the Run... command and type in "\\192.168.0.101" (make sure you do a double backslash at the beginning) Can you see whatever is shared on the .101 machine now?

Now this is getting fun ( not). Running Itunes on both I can see each other but haven't been able to move a song yet. i am getting closer. Just an note speakers are on newbie, songs are on oldguy.

From newbie going to oldbie D is unavailable. Is this a shareing prob? I read some where that running itunes on both was the way to go. I havent done the ping but at least on itunes i seem near to networking. gonna poke a bit.

i cannot make anything work. very frustrating

OK, I am an idiot. Apple, does drag and drop mean anything?? Thanks guys I am grooving as we speak.

You're trying to move music from one machine to another with iTunes? Just share out the collection from the oldguy and connect through the shared music category on the newbie. I don't think you can drag & drop songs, because that crosses the line from sharing to 'stealing'. Have to fileshare and copy the folders for the music from the OS side.

I'd be interested in what got you grooving.

Or be safer and do a digital backup to a DVD.

Got home from work today and newbie wouldn't boot up. I used last good config option and got it up. My songs are on newguy now and play fine. I have been trying to move a TV show and am having network probs again. Both puters see the shared folders of each other but when I drag and drop there complaining about no known path. The best I remember I was dragging from Itunes on oldguy to newbies shared folder and as I did they would show up on newbies playlist in Itunes ...well or something. There there now but 1) The situation didn't want to boot up so I have rolled back to a pre networking state 2) the songs are now on newbie and so far have played fine.