Setup LAN Connection to Connect Between Two Windows XP Systems

In this article, we are going to learn how to setup a LAN connection to connect between two different computers, both having Windows XP Operating system – by Peer to Peer (P2P) Network. If one machine have 32 bit and another with 64 bit, it won’t be matter as its has been fully tested by me. To make a LAN connection between two computers, its recommended to use a crossover cable as come older Network Interface Cards (NIC) doesn’t support straight cable if two computers are directly connected through it.

What we need

• Two computers with Windows XP operating system
• A crossover LAN cable

On computer 1

1. Go to properties of My Computer (Win+Pause) > Computer Name tab.
2. Press the Change button.
3. Let’s name it PC1, choose Member of to WORKGROUP and press OK and restart computer.

   

4. Go to Control Panel > Network Connections > open properties of LAN adapter.
5. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) > click on Properties > select Use the following IP address
6. Set IP address: 192.168.0.1, Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0, Default gateway: blank, DNS: blank

   

7. Press OK.

On computer 2

1. Go to properties of My Computer (Win+Pause) and go to Computer Name tab.
2. Press the Change button.
3. Let’s name it PC2, choose Member of to WORKGROUP and press OK and restart computer.

   

4. Go to Control Panel > Network Connections > open properties of the LAN adapter.
5. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) > click on Properties > select Use the following IP address
6. Set IP address: 192.168.0.2, Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0, Default gateway: blank, DNS: blank

   

7. Press OK.

File and Printer sharing settings

File sharing

1. Go to Control Panel > Network Connections > open properties of LAN adapter.
2. Check File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks > press OK.
3. Right click on any folder or drive that we want to share > click on Sharing and Security…
4. If sharing a drive click on ‘if you understand the risk…drive, click here’ message additionally.
5. Check Share this folder on the network, additionally check Allow network users to change my files for read-write access and press OK.
6. The shared drive/folder will be visible to opposite computer’s My Network Places.

Printer Sharing

1. Open Start menu > Printer and Faxes > Select printer and right click > sharing.
2. Select Share this printer > press OK.
3. The shared printer will be visible to opposite computer’s My Network Places.

Please check the parent article for more information on computer networking: http://w3epic.com/connect-win-xp-win-7-win-8-server-2008-ubuntu-with-each-others

Need help, just leave a comment – I’ll be back to you.

Thanks.