Networking...

[DirtyPolo]

Hey I feel a bit stupid asking this question but ohwell...

 

At college we have recently been given the info so that we can connect to the network from home to access our files etc. The problem is we've only been given the info and instructions for XP, which I knew already using "My Network Places" etc.

 

That's fine as I can now connect to the college network through my desktop, but when I'm out and about with my laptop I cannot, as i have no idea of Vista's 'version' of My Network Places that XP has, the only thing I can find on Vista is the network and sharing center with the option of "Setup a Connection or Network" and none of the given options are what i am looking for.. =/

 

Can anyone help to throw some light onto the situation for me, I'm sure it's probably just the issue of Vista changing everything around and renaming stuff but they've well and truely hidden this from me :P

[DirtyPolo]

Is there even a way to do this? :S

It's my college's network ,and we have been given the info such as the address and password/account name to enable us to login from our own home.

 

How would I connect to this on Vista? I hate it! >:(

[Dalo Harkin]

The only way that I can see this working is with a VPN and I am not too clued up on how they work as I purposely avoid them as they have been nightmares in terms of working.

[Tony D]

What are the instructions from the college? How do they tell you to connect? Hopefully we can translate XP to Vista instructions for you.

[mike]

Back in my old college we used an RM network and had something very similar. It wasn't a VPN but it used a Web Folder technology.

 

I believe there are some known bugs and issues about Web Folders in Windows Vista and you can download a software patch from the following link to rectify the problem.

 

Download details: Software Update for Web Folders (KB907306)

 

Also, you might want have a look at this article which may help you out adding a Web Folder on vista.

 

My Docs Online - Using Web Folders and WebDAV

 

In particular this section:

 

1. In "Computer" Right-Click an open area on the right side of the Window, then select "Add a Network Location".
   
2. The "Add Network Location Wizard" will appear. Click "Next".
   
3. When asked, "Where do you want to create this network location?" select Choose a custom network location. Click "Next".
   
4. When asked to "Specify the location of your website" in the Internet or network address field, enter
   http://webfolders2.mydocsonline.com
   or if SSL is turned ON then enter https://webfolders2.mydocsonline.com
   Click "Next".
   
5. Enter your User Name and Password when prompted (you may be prompted more than once).
   
6. When asked, "What do you want to name this location?" enter a label of your choosing (for instance "My Docs Online"). Click "Next".
   
7. When you see "Completing the Add Network Location Wizard" Check the box "Open the network location when I click Finish" and Click "Finish" (it may take some time for the Web Folder to open the first time).
   
8. A Network Location has been created in the "Network Location" section of Computer with the label you choose. (Hint: You can Right-click the Network Location and select "Send to... Desktop" to create an additional shortcut on your desktop).
   

 

Obviously the URL would need to be replaced for your colleges one, which i assume they have supplied in the instructions.

 

Hope this helps.

[DirtyPolo]

Hey guys thanks for the replies

 

And thanks mike that actually helped :P

Except for when it asks me to put in the Internet or network address, I put it in (http://files.wsfc.ac.uk:8088/tuxette4/s125323)

and click next, then the login appears so I enter my username and password, click ok but then it just reappears and the username has changed to "files.wsfc.ac.uk/s125323" so I delete it and enter my username again and the same thing happens again...

So I decided to just keep clicking OK and eventually it says "The folder you entered does not appear to be valid. Please choose another."

 

then a popup appears at the screen where I entered the path to the documents giving examples of different ones >_<

 

but thats further than I've ever gotten before :P

hope you can help resolve this problem then I can pass it onto the college technicians to let everyone else know how to do it :D

[mike]

Glad you have progressed! :)

 

Have you tried the Internet or Network address of just Worcester Sixth Form College ? Or even try Worcester Sixth Form College

 

I seem to remember that back in my old college the bloody dialog box popped up about 3 times, and i had to enter my username and password 3 times before it would let me login..

 

Let us know how you get on.

Mike

[DirtyPolo]

I'll give you the instructions they gave us for the XP machine.

 

And as with the login thing, even if I change the username field and put in absolutly anything, it will disappear then reappear with the original value back in there, it's liek it wont let me enter anything else and when I just click ok with that username it does it about 4-5 times before erroring :S

 

I'll edit this post and add the info when i get back from running to the shop :P

 

EDIT!

 

This is the file they sent us:

 

"These instructions were written for Windows XP. They also work on Windows 2000, although the wording is slightly different. Windows Vista has not been tested, but from a Google search it looks like 'my network places' is now called 'network' and is available from the start menu.

 

If you are setting up access to file areas through the College's wifi network, you will need to open your web browser and enter your wifi login details before going further.

 

Open 'my network places' on the desktop.

 

Open 'Add network place'.

 

'Choose another network location' (Windows 2000 doesn't offer this option).

 

In the 'Internet or network address' box, enter the following:

 

 

http://files.wsfc.ac.uk:8088/tuxette4/s125323

Enter your network id and password (leave the domain box blank).

 

Enter a name for this network place (eg 'my wsfc files') and close the wizard.

 

You may have to enter your id and password again.

 

This will create an icon for the connection in 'my network places' - clicking on the icon will open a window containing the area's files."

 

I know its not much help for vista but its better than answering individual questions xD thats all the info I have, any ideas?

Edited October 18, 2008 by DirtyPolo