While at home, I want to access files on my home laptop (XP Home) using my work laptop (XP Pro), via my Thomson Speedtouch 585V6 Wifi router. The problem, it seems, is that my work laptop is a member of a Domain. I beleive that I must change my work laptop to being a member of a Workgroup. I have 2 questions: 1) Is this possible without my affecting my connection to the LAN at my work? 2) How is it done?
PS Note: I cannot disable the company anti-virus program (Panda), even if I am logged on as Administrator.
Thanks for any help
Mike (Spain)

If you remove the client from the Domain and add it to a Workgroup, you'll need a local account to login. If you don't have one, then you're out of luck. Then, you'd have to have someone in your IT Department add the client back onto the Domain.

So, don't even attempt this.

It's not necessary to remove the client though. First thing would be to confirm with your IT group that connecting to a home network and using file sharing is allowed. Your company may have a policy on this.

Your best bet may be to just use a flash drive to transfer the files.

Life's more painless for the brainless.

The issue might be if you can use the normal ip tools to allow them to connect. A shared folder across a simple lan wouldn't matter as long as permissions are set correctly. That may include file system and wireless and firewall. I agree with above you shouldn't keep moving a domain computer back and forth.

If you can get some ip connection across the lan then you could use other tools even. Many remote options exist. Things like pcanywhere, chriscontrol (vnc) and even messengers exist if you can do some config.

Do you live in spain or Cedar Park?

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

Here is what you have to think about:

1. how does your work laptop get its ip address? Static assignment or via Dhcp?

You check this in network properties/tcp-ip settings. If dhcp than you home network needs to be dhcp. If a static ip then you need to change your subnet on the home network to match. You would make this change in your router.

2. what is your domain name at work?

I have found naming my workgroup domainname with no extension [com, net etc]and setting up a user account on each home lan pc with the same name and password I use on the laptop works fine to access my home lan resources.

Are you ready for where Microsoft wants you to go today?

Use a alternate config for your Ip. Also log on locally and set up a Vpn. You can probably setup a VPN while logged onto your works domain. You could also setup a web server from your home computer and access the files via FTP assuming your work laptop does not use a proxy that restricts you.

As listed above there are several options including setting up a separate hardware profile for at home.

However, I really highly recommend you take Jennifer's advice and talk to your IT people. Chances are, they'll set it up for you and explain how to make the different connections.

As she pointed out, there may be a policy against doing this so it's definately best to talk to them before attempting anything on your own and possibly painting yourself in a corner by doing something you shouldn't be....or worse yet, messing things up so badly they have to fix/redo your work laptop.

OK, you should contact your IT department would be the better answer.

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.