Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Multi Workgroup question

0 helpful
10 replies

by samjaynes 2 views

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I am running XP Home on a Compaq Laptop. The question I have is at home I have a small workgroup -let's say 'HOME'- which I contect to my 98 machine that dishes out the IP (DHCP) and lets me use the printer on the group. Now, the problem I am running into is when I enter my University and connect to their workgroup - lets call this one 'school'. Since they are both on different workgroups, I have to change my workgroup to use their (school) printers. Is there a way to create a different user/profile that would load automatically a determined workgroup without restarting XP?

Sounds like a simple question, just trying to save unnecessary coding changes everytime I want to print somewhere else than home.

Thanks in advance,

10 replies

by samjaynes

Thanks for the information on Advanced IP Configuration. That is helpful to a certain extent. If the printer is on a Workgroup 'school' and the laptop specifies 'home' (which is not assigned by TCP/IP, rather the user), how would my laptop recognize the school's workgroup when it is still configured (meaning workgroup name) to the 'home' network.

It obtains an IP address at both locations via DHCP.

Comments???

by timwalsh

Here are the issues at play:

Workgroup resources: Your computer cannot see (through Network Neghborhood) any shared resources not located in the current workgroup (even if you have added the printer to your configuration). Shared resources to which you are connected usually show up using the following format: "Sharedresource on Hostcomputer" If you are not connected to the workgroup, your computer has no way of finding "Hostcomputer."

Workgroup membership is determined at log-on and is applied to the computer, not individual users. Unlike Windows 98, where you can determine workgroup membership at log-on, in Windows XP, you can only change workgroup membership using the Computer Name tab under Sytem Properties.

There is a potential work-around for your dilemma. While Windows can only find computers by name if it is connected to the workgroup which hosts that computer, it can find a computer by IP address, regardless of what workgroup your computer is connected to. To use this work-around, you must determine the printer name and the IP address of the computer that hosts the printer. Using the Add a Printer Wizard, when you get to the screen titled "Specify a printer," in the box labeled "Connect to this printer...", enter <\\IPaddress\printername>.

You still must supply a userID and password recognized by the printer's host computer at log-on in order to successfully connect

by ann777

I find that the simplest way around the multiple-boots that people need (home network, school network, work network, etc.) -- is to download and install NetSwitcher software ($14 / license).

http://www.netswitcher.com/

Configure it for your networks, then on boot, all you need to do is choose which location/network you are at and then boot into it.

by dustyd

Are you trying to use their printers when connecting to 'school' from your home? Or do you connect physically when at school?
Anna777 has the right track. Use hardware profiles, and set one up for school. XP will prompt you for the profile to use when starting up. I don't see why you would need a solution without restarting, unless you are connecting from home.

This discussion is closed to new replies.