I am trying to network two Windows computers together. One is running XP SP3, the other is running Windows 8.1.
I have googled my heart out and I keep finding instructions for this that don't work. They describe screens or options that don't appear on my computer or offer no opportunity to get clarifications. I hope someone here can help. The instructions I've found all claim it is "easy" to network an XP machine and a Windows 8.1 machine but, so far, all I'm finding is frustration.
I gather that half the battle (or more) is getting the two computers in the same group. I _think_ I have them both in a group called WORKGROUP. That's what it says for the Workgroup name in System Properties/Computer Name on the XP machine, which is called RHINO-DESKTOP.
I'm not sure where to verify the name for the 8.1 machine; File Explorer lists a "Homegroup" with an item called rhino_000 with a subitem called RHINO_NOTEBOOK. I'm darned if I can see where the _name_ of the group is displayed unless it is literally "Homegroup". I can find a place to look at the password but not to see the name of the group, let alone change it.
Can someone help me get these two machines in the same group, then take me through the process of getting the two machines to see each other's drives and the shared printer?
That will enable me to transfer info between the machines much more directly, as well as to print from both machines.
If you can point me to a GOOD tutorial on how to do this, one that describes the screens and options I actually have, that would be good enough. I don't need a lot of hand-holding....
I have googled my heart out and I keep finding instructions for this that don't work. They describe screens or options that don't appear on my computer or offer no opportunity to get clarifications. I hope someone here can help. The instructions I've found all claim it is "easy" to network an XP machine and a Windows 8.1 machine but, so far, all I'm finding is frustration.
I gather that half the battle (or more) is getting the two computers in the same group. I _think_ I have them both in a group called WORKGROUP. That's what it says for the Workgroup name in System Properties/Computer Name on the XP machine, which is called RHINO-DESKTOP.
I'm not sure where to verify the name for the 8.1 machine; File Explorer lists a "Homegroup" with an item called rhino_000 with a subitem called RHINO_NOTEBOOK. I'm darned if I can see where the _name_ of the group is displayed unless it is literally "Homegroup". I can find a place to look at the password but not to see the name of the group, let alone change it.
Can someone help me get these two machines in the same group, then take me through the process of getting the two machines to see each other's drives and the shared printer?
That will enable me to transfer info between the machines much more directly, as well as to print from both machines.
If you can point me to a GOOD tutorial on how to do this, one that describes the screens and options I actually have, that would be good enough. I don't need a lot of hand-holding....