Sharing files between two computers without internet

[cross9229]

Ok, let me try to explain my situation I have been working on. I have been helping somebody I know get there network setup. He has two computers, a laptop and a desktop in a shop. The laptop is connected to the internet wireless from a router. The desktop does not have internet, he does not want it too. He wants the laptop and desktop connected together via a ethernet cable so he can share files between the two. He is using a program called Quickbooks for parts inventory and wants to store the file on the desktop and be able to access it on the laptop. If he makes changes to the file on the laptop, he wants the desktop to be able to recognize those changes and vice versa.

Now I think I got him working. Although, sometimes if the cable becomes disconnected or the desktop is shutdown, it doesn't want to work right.

This is the part I am having trouble with. Should I be able to join a homegroup on the desktop even though the desktop does not have internet? I have tried to enter the password for the homegroup that the laptop created and it will not let me join. When I go to the homegroup page, sometimes it will say there is no homegroup available and other times I can join one but it will not let me. And other times it will let me create one. I don't see how I can create one when the desktop is not connected to the internet.

So on the laptop there are two networks, one that the internet is connected to and the other is for the two computers connected. The network for the two computers is called identified network and is a public network on the laptop. On the desktop, it is also called unidentified network but does not list the type of network and when I try to change it to public, it will not allow it. Usually it will allow me to change it to a home network, which is what the wireless network is called on the laptop.

I guess one thing I am trying to find out is can the desktop join the laptop's homegroup even if the desktop does not have internet.

Forgot to mention, both computers are running Windows 7 and are the same Workgroup.

I hope I explained myself clearly enough.

 

[MilesAhead]

The network between the 2 machines should be set to Private. That way you can share folders between them without entering a password. As far as syncing the files I would use the program on the Laptop to manipulate the files on the Desktop machine. Copy changed files to the Laptop when done. Saves all that local caching of files that probably won't work right on a reverse ethernet cable.