hey im am only new to networking and i have two xp pc's they are both set as work group they they are family computers so i carnt be on one all the time som i was woundering how i can set it up so i can log on to any computer and have all my files and shortcuts and installed programs but i would like to keep xp becuse it is way more stable on my machines so i was thinking of makeing a domain within windows but i know i carnt but is there a program that i can download that might make one a domain or even do all that with work group all suggestions will be really thankfull

hicksy thank in advanced

Don't know of any programs per say. But, you might be able to do *much* what you want by moving some things around and editing the registry.

First of all you have two options. You can set one computer as the host and the other as the client - the host in this example would be where all your files are stored. The other option is to create a script to copy all of your files from one computer to the other when you log off. Both of these have their advantages and disadvantages. And both are assuming that you have your own account on each computer.

To do option 1 do a google search for moving user shell folders. You will then need to redirect the shell folders on the client PC to the host PC. Youwould also want to change the store folders for your email as well. Then whenever you fire up your email program or save something to My Documents it will actually be saved/opened from the Host machine. Of course, the Host machine would have to be on when you are on the client PC.

The otehr option might actually be easier. Identify the files and folders that you want to be the same on both machines. Then create a batch file to copy the contents of one machine to the other. Have the script run when you log off.

Both of these solutions would require that you share out the necessary folders - but just share them to your account.

Michael J

thanks for your support and they are very good ideas but i dont have a clue how to do them and will that let me have multi users so my sister can be on her user side and i can be on mine and share like you said

anywayz thank for the input i just might try that but i dont know how to right scripts i havent had much to do with them

another idea i have is maybe direct most of the folders i use to another harddrive on one of the machines i dont know if that would work but its just an idea another idea i have is to fix one of my old computers they are only like 64mhz but could i put on a linux and make a domain server with it or would it be to slow ???

thanks

If you're that much of a beginner, I REALLY don't think you want to setup a domain based network.

If you want access to your docs, you can simply share that folder on your computer they're stored right now, and then setup your account on the other computer to look at that share for the location of your docs by right clicking my docs and pointing to the share.

If you want the whole user profile to go with you, that's a Roaming User Profile, available in a domain based network. I don't think it's worth the expense and trouble to get that for you. You would need a third computer, with Windows 2000/2003 server, and the know how to implement Roaming User Profiles and Active Directory.

"...but in my defense, it was dark, I was drunk, and it was delicious!"