XP network install

[Civilized]

I have a friend that is running XP SP1. He is wanting to do a network install to his laptop. How/Can you do this with Xp sp1?? Does anyone have any good reading material on how to do this. I have never done a network install and would love to learn how. I have read around the net and really cant find anything helpful
Thanks guys

 

[TheCh0s3n1]

Civilized,

Your post has a much more suitable home: the Networking message boards.

However, I will offer you some info here anyway.

There are many ways to network two PCs. You can use a crossover cable to direct-connect them OR you can purchase a router, switch, or hub for the network. It seems that most people tend to go with a router when setting up a network at home that also gives each PC internet access, whether it's wired or wireless.

From reading your post, I would gather that your friend has one computer that he wants networked with his laptop. Is that correct? And, YES, you can network PCs using Windows XP SP1.

For more good info, you ought to visit the Networking boards. Just click Boards Overview in the left-hand column of your browser window, then scroll down till you find Networking.

Under that section, I recommend these boards:
Communications, Network and Internet
Wireless
Gateways, Routers, and Firewalls

 

[Codesmith]

I though he wanted to install Windows XP on his laptop via the network.

Maybe because his laptop has a working ethernet card , but not a working Optical drive?

Unfortunately I never tried that. The most complicated I ever got was making a unattended XP SP1a DVD which also installed Office XP, and a few other apps with silent install options.

Its an interesting learning experience, but patches and updates come out so often that its really a waste of time.

On the other hand learning to make Unattended XP SP2 & SP1a CD's actually save quite a bit of time and effort in the long run.

If you find an answer please post it here, I wouldn't mind knowing myself.

 

[TheCh0s3n1]

Ah, thanks for the enlightenment, Codesmith. Dang, I guess that really WAS the bong water I drank. (sigh...)
---

Well, as far as performing a network installation goes, your friend will have to workgroup the two computers. Once both computers have successfully been set up to share files, do the following:

On WinXP machine
1. Navigate to: My Computer > Shared Documents
2. Make a new folder called Windows XP SP1 and open it
3. Copy entire contents of Windows XP CD into the Windows XP SP1 folder

On laptop
1. Double-click My Network Neighborhood
2. Click View Workgroup Computers
3. Double-click the icon (of the WinXP machine)
4. Open the Shared Docs folder
5. Open the Windows XP SP1 folder
6. Double-click setup.exe

Installation over the network will begin at this point. Here is another alternative to performing step 5:

5. On the laptop, navigate to the C:\ (double-click C:\)
6. Drag the Windows XP SP1 folder to the C:\ folder on the laptop
7. Upon completion, close the Shared Docs folder and open the Windows XP SP1 folder on the laptop
8. Double-click setup.exe

This particular procedure WILL work. I don't know if you had something else in mind, but this is one solution you may use if you wish.

Good luck!