Windows 7: networking to older computer..

This may be just gripeing, but I just need confirmation.. So that when hubby argues with me I got confirmation.. out of 4 computers in the house, 3 are being upgraded, one is too old and just can't upgrade. That one is my old labtop. But, I am budgeted for a new one in January.. Hubby is getting the "good old Betsy"..

But, from the wording when looking at the homegroup, "Old Betsy" can't play with the other computers anymore.. Happily that did not kill the internet.. I think the worst for my husband will be no printer.. Using a thumb drive to move files will be difficult to teach him, but even transfering through network to different folders would be hard to teach him.

So is this true.. No networking for anything not Windows 7?

No Not true at all

Although homegroup can only be used for windows 7 only networks, the new OS does have full backwards compatibility, and has been made to comunicate with windows workgroups as old as Windows 2000 - Xp or Vista are no problem

If you have an existing network set up and add a windows 7 machine then it is not too much work to add the new system.

In your case you should have a Homegroup network with the Windows 7 systems plus a workgroup connection to connect to the older unit - printing is also supported

Thanks so much

You're welcome

And if you have any questions when it comes to actual set-up please post back and someone here should be able to help

Well your right I'm at the setup point now.. I can't find any info on the internet.. Is there any instructions?

If not, by guessing I got to control panel, Network & sharing center, setup a new connection, setup a new network..

Now I get stuck.. No router pops up.. So although I never needed it before, I tried to install the old software. But it wanted me to unplug the wireless yet have the internet up.. But when I unplug wireless.. Internet goes down..

so I go for new software, this lets me stay plugged in.. but I think it wants to just update established connection.
It tells me to plug in an IP address to my IE address bar (like I was doing an FTP).. then leave username blank and it says put in my password but the default is admin.
I tried my password (although I am unsure it is set up).. It reads "Warnign this server is requesting that your username & pswd be sent in an insecure manner. with an "OK" & Cancel.. I say "OK"... and it just returns to the username/pswd screen. If I try their pswd of admin.. It says "unauthorized.. authorization Required."..

Any one know if I am even setting up the network in the right place.. and whether I got the right download, or need to search for another that is more a setup then an update?

OK,

just a few questions, to give me a better idea of where exactly we are at

Did you have a working network prior to installing Windows 7 using the same router - If this is the case then you should not need to change the router settings.

Can you see your wireless network when you click onto the network icon, (it's a little bar graph), in the system tray? - If you can see your network you should be able to click onto the network and choose to connect.

If you do not see the wireless icon it may be you need to add a driver

Still at work, but checking in during lunch hour..

Yes the network did work up until the day of conversion.. I could move files & folders between the laptops & the main computer. network still works for internet/email access..

I will need to double check to be sure about it, but I know I was surprised at how clean that system tray is now. I think there were only 2 items in it. But I can't remember if one was 'bar' like..

New driver?? None made.. I revisted the site, just now to check. The column above reads firmware and drivers. But all that was offered for the router was a firmware update. Everything else was Adobe reader guides.

Let you know about the system tray when I get home.

ok back home. No bar Icon in the task bar. Just one that reads network internet access (the icon looks like a terminal.) and one warning me I have yet to put in my antivirus software. thats it.. Yeah yeah.. I know I should put that in. I need to pull a free antivirus my internet provider is giving me for free.. But just haven't had time for the red tape.

I don't know if this has been sitting too long & will be answered or not. I will start a new thread if it isn't picked up in an hour.

No not sat here to long

The thing is with forums it can take a while to get answers due to time zones

OK if you press the windows key and type dev into the start search you should see an entry "Device manager"

Cick on this entry and check for any items with yellow triangles showing an error you should see one for your wireless network adaptor or it could just say unknown device.

What we need to know is if the device is recognised and if so what it is identified as.

it should be possible to right click on the item and select update driver which should then add the wireless to your tray icons

I got one yellow under the group of Human Interface Device. It's a USB Input Device. I tried updating the driver .. But says it's up to date. but still busted.

Don't think that would be it though. And I have other USB's so I'm not worried.

I don't see anything else and I opened every thing too look inside.