Networking Windows 10 and XP, anybody............?

[Jannyfox]

I've just bought a shiny new laptop which is now running W10. My desktop, which acts as a server for my home network, is XP. I know XP is not compatable with the homegroup route later versions of Windows have taken but I thought it was possible to put the laptop on the existing network. Frustratingly, when I first opened the 'network' folder on the laptop the desktop was there, then W10 seemed to remember it couldn't play with XP and now it doesn't show at all. I can see the laptop from the desktop but that doesn't really help. I think I need to get both computers on the same network but I can't find any way to connect the laptop to the existing network. There is a 'connect to network' option, but it doesn't do anything. Any ideas, bearing in mind I'm not a wizz with computers?

 

[dejongj]

Did you try just typing in the name of the Xperia server in Windows Explorer. Something \\Servername then press enter and will show the list of network shares available.

 

[Jannyfox]

Problem solved! I don't know what I did in all the messing about I did last night but having shut the laptop down and restarted it this evening both computers see each other..............No, I don't understand it either but I'm happy.

 

[Nod]

It's a computer, Jan - it has a mind of its own and does what it pleases. At a guess, on of its bits or bytes got lost and a 0 became a 1 and ballsed everything (or at least a small part of everything!) up until it got put to sleep and woken back up again.

 

[Jannyfox]

It's a computer, Jan - it has a mind of its own and does what it pleases. At a guess, on of its bits or bytes got lost and a 0 became a 1 and ballsed everything (or at least a small part of everything!) up until it got put to sleep and woken back up again.

A mind of its own it certainly has, Nod. It's been linking perfectly with the desktop but tonight it's not seeing it again.......... It's there, but it doesn't show in File Explorer. No such problem going desktop to laptop. Ah, XP..........! The good news is my partner returns from the Frozen North tomorrow and he thinks he knows a way round it. On the plus side he was well impressed I managed to set up a computer and network on my own.............

 

[neil_g]

Not in file explorer as a mapped drive or within the network section?

Should be as simple as having the same username and passwords set up on both, sharing a folder and setting the permissions.

 

[Jannyfox]

Not in file explorer as a mapped drive or within the network section?

Should be as simple as having the same username and passwords set up on both, sharing a folder and setting the permissions.

The bizarre thing is that when I looked in file explorer on the laptop about half an hour ago there was no desktop showing. Without touching the desktop, now it's there. I think Nod has the answer - it's a computer!