File sharing between win7 64 bit desktop & vista 32bit laptop

[seavixen32]

This article explains how to set up printer sharing on your Windows Vista computer.

Enable file and printer sharing

This one explains printer sharing with Windows 7.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Share-a-printer

How to share a printer between Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/9040/how-to-share-files-and-printers-between-windows-7-and-vista/

If all else fails you may need to consider re-installing Windows Vista.

 

[PinkRose]

I will have to wait on this , the cable internet is down right now, I'm using the free WIFI to get online.

 

[F5ing]

PinkRose. I guess the bottom line is that you would like to be able to transfer your network (and all the work you've done) to the free wifi connection you have available to you, and then drop your paid for (by the month?) cable connection?

 

[PinkRose]

yes but I can't get the 2 pc's to see each other on the free WIFI beginning to think it's not possible?

 

[F5ing]

Well, I wish I could answer that, but I'm nowhere near being the most knowledgable about networking; though there are plenty of forum members right here who could help. Connecting to the internet via a router that you control is inherently more secure than connecting directly to a free wifi hotspot.

Do you own that router or is it a rental from the cable company?

 

[F5ing]

I think I just figured out how you could utilize that free WiFi, drop your paid cable service, keep your machines secured behind a router, and not lose all the progress you've made in getting your machines to communicate with each other (and print if you've already got that going). It would cost a little bit up front, about $70 for a device that may allow you to connect a router to your free WiFi service, and another $70 or so for a standard wireless router if you don't already own the one you're currently using.

 

[PinkRose]

I own a router which is connected to my desktop and running wireless right now, and also there is a router connected that I am renting from the cable company Tell me what is the other device?

 

[F5ing]

Two routers? Both connected?

 

[PinkRose]

yes mine is wireless, one from cable company is connected to my pc. at least that's what my son says it is from the cable company

 

[F5ing]

Okay, for the most part of the thread I was under the impression that we were talking about a cable modem/wireless router from the cable company. This was being used as the connection for your two PCs, which you were finally able to use to get the two machines to connect to each other.

Now I understand you also have your own wireless router. What are you using this one for?

Maybe it'll help if you give me the brand name and model number of these two routers so I can be sure we're on the same page.

 

[strollin]

You're actually talking about 2 different problems. You want to want to share a printer and files with the computers on your network AND you want the network to have a connection to the internet, preferably using the free wifi. Your network should be independent of your internet connection in that if you have no internet connection the machines on your network can still talk to each other.

I would worry first about getting your network setup so that the computers can see each other and can share files and the printer. Once that is working reliably, then I would worry about connecting to the internet via the free wifi.

I'm not clear on where the free wifi is coming from but I know that I personally wouldn't want to rely on the free wifi hotspots I've encountered and would much prefer my own connection to the internet as then I have more control over it.

 

[PinkRose]

sibbil To clarify, the box from the cable company is NOT a router like my son says, I remember when the cable company hooked it up they asked me if I wanted to rent one of their routers, I said no I have my own, so it is my own router that is hooked up and when I change networks from the cable co one to the free WIFI it is using the same wireless router that I own which is a D-Link about 3 1/2 yrs old. Before I moved into this apt complex I had DSL and was able to hook up to net with both my old desktop which was xp & the current laptop that I have & share files.

strollin the free WIFI I'm told is a private network that comes from the same cable co. I have for my internet. From what I see online there are very few people on it just about 5 printers & scanners. The apt complex is owned by a Lutheran foundation which owns I think 5 or 6 building complexes in this city. Most are assisted living or handicapped buildings, I think only 3 are apt complexes.
I'm confused with what you have said
"Your network should be independent of your internet connection in that if you have no internet connection the machines on your network can still talk to each other." How can I view this without an internet connection?

 

[strollin]

Before there was the internet, there was networking. You don't need an internet connection to be able to share files/printer on a network. That's why I am advising you to get your network all setup first, including sharing of your printer, then worry about getting an internet connection for your network.

In order for your current router to be able to connect to the free wifi and share that connection with the other computers on your network, you will need to configure it as a "wireless bridge". Here's an article that talks about it: http://http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-turn-an-old-router-into-a-wireless-bridge/ The article says that you need 2 routers but you only need to use one, the other router is the one that belongs to the free wifi that you want to connect to.

If you view the picture of the network setup in the article, the free wifi would be what is labeled as the "Main network" with internet connection. Your computers and printer will be connected to your router which will then be used to "bridge" to the "main network".

 

[PinkRose]

ok so 1st how do I view my pc's & files on my pc's without internet? If you read back I am still having problems with getting the printer to work right from my laptop also

 

[strollin]

I don't understand the question. What does the internet have to do with viewing pc's & files? Internet access allows you to access internet content such as web pages but has nothing to do with viewing other pc's, files or printers on your local network.

 

[PinkRose]

sorry I said that wrong, I'm referring to this "You don't need an internet connection to be able to share files/printer on a network." I just disconnected from the net a while ago to see if the 2 pc's could still see each other in the network. I only see the win7 on the win7 desktop, nothing on the laptop when not connected to the net. I checked all the setting again on the laptop and they are correct. What could be the problem that nothing is showing up in the laptop and only the win7 files on the win7 desktop. Am I saying this right now?

 

[F5ing]

PinkRose, what strollin is saying is that you have all the equipment in your apartment that you need to get your PCs and printers talking to each other whether or not you have internet service. So the first problem you have/had is getting that part solved (getting this communication between your own devices working properly -- in other words: getting your own little private network set up properly). As long as your router is up and running (and connected to your PCs) your little network should work properly even if your internet service is out. For this part I would complete going through the links that seavixen32 had posted here: http://www.sevenforums.com/network-...desktop-vista-32bit-laptop-7.html#post1857312

The second problem strollin refers to is really secondary: connecting your own little private network to an internet service. You'll notice that there is a wire that comes from the cable modem (the box the cable company gave you) and goes to a "special port" on your D-Link router. As long as the cable modem is powered up and connected you have your internet service (that you typically pay for by the month) available to your little private network. Your D-Link router's job is to join all your PCs/printers together to form your little private network, give your little network internet access via that "special port", and help to protect your little network from various attacks from the internet.

So your second problem is really just the question: "What internet service do I want to connect to that "special port" on my D-Link router?" You can continue with monthly cable internet service via the cable modem the cable company installed, or try that free WiFi.

I don't know how much you pay for monthly internet service, but for me, I would save a lot of money with the free service. I also kind of assume you're really already "paying" for this "free" Wifi service in some way. Maybe the cost is shared among all the people paying rent in the complex. If that free service was 99%+ available (or at least have similar uptime as compared to cable) and the speeds were adequate, I would try to go free.

 

[F5ing]

PinkRose, post back to let me know if you want to go ahead and try to utilize that free Wifi service you have available. Now that I know that you already own your own D-Link wireless router, you would only have to purchase one more device (rather than two) to keep your network secure behind your router.

And you won't lose out on the efforts you've taken, and success that you've had, in getting your PCs and printer communicating.

 

[PinkRose]

I would like to try it if it's possible. Will be gone for the rest of the evening, will check back tomorrow.

 

[PinkRose]

Bump

A friend recommended a program called CrossLoop, does anyone know if this will work in my situation? Can it use the printer I have hooked up to my win7 desktop to print files from the vista laptop in the free WIFI?