Hi all I would like some help in connecting a htpc to my main pc so I can stream the media off it and use the internet connection. How would I go about doing this? Is it a problem that my main pc is XP 32bit and my HTPC is vista 64bit?

I have tried using the windows xp wizard networking tool but when I try to install this on the HTPC it installs then at the end says there was an error. Do I need anything else apart from a Ethernet cable between the two pc's? My main pc uses a wifi card to connect to the internet is this causing the error?

Basically what I want to do is what this person is talking about here:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=52

Thanking you in advanced.

You need a crossover cable, not a typical ethernet cable.

Oh well i think that is going to help lols. Should i then use the network wizard setup or do it manually since the 2 OS's are different?

anyway you can get a wireless card for the htpc?

well i dont think i can since i will be streaming HD rips from my blu ray collection and i don't think the bandwidth is enough on wifi. So i have decided to buy a Netgear HDXB101 Powerline HD Starter Kit and a switch for i move into my flat. But i still need the network set up so im going to buy the cable as they are only a few £££ then set up the network with the wizard and hope it works lols.

Hi all i just got the cable today (wasn't high on my priority as the pcs are in the same room atm )

I have tried setting up the connect with the network wizard but it doesn't seem to work how would i go about doing this manually?

Here, dude, instructions from M$.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/da25b51f-8...d1033.mspx

If for me, I would just take the hdd out and plug it into main PC. Much faster that way for transferring large amount of data.

You could invest in a router too. It makes networking much easiler.

If you don't want a router, you'll have to assign static IP addresses. The article linked is very vague on how to do that but give it a try. If it doesn't work, we'll have to get advanced. XD

are these home version os's? alas xp home and vista home?

i would get a gigabit switch, something like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122140

manages your network and allows for fast transfer
setting up network in pro versions is a lot easier and practical then home versions

Just a sugestion but could there be an issue with the powerline adapters? we use a different brand of them at work and they are for ever becomming "unpaired" with each other, also if their on a different electrical circuit they tend not to work so well if at all.

PS sorry for the double post stupid work PC spazzed out
PPS on second readings i realise you tried a direct PC to PC connection so what i said doesnt matter but ill leave for reference =P

Hi all i have manage to get my DVD libary working in the vista MC. So now i can stream all of my back up DVDs from my main computer with alot of hard disk space to my HTPC that only has a 120Gb disk im well happy.

But one problem still persists. I can't get the media pc on the internet I think i may have to set static ip address but i can't see where to do that. It's not too much of a problem tbh just something i would like to work :p