Can I connect my xp computer to my HOME network without it being online?

[May the Shwartz Be with You!]

With the end of Microsoft addressing updates to XP I don't feel comfortable using my old Dell 2400 Dimension online any more, but I want to connect it to my network to access the external drives I keep connected to it, via my network and NOW main computer (TOSHIBA LAPTOP RUNNING VISTA).

The laptop will also have drives connected, so don't suggest "switching" or reconnecting. There are other reasons for this. Essentially I want the XP OS computer to be able to take in a store some downloaded material, without it actually being "exposed" directly to an internet connection. The answer may be obvious, but I overlooked something quite obvious before in regard to this setup so I would like other people's (who might be seeing things more clearly and have actual working knowledge) opinions'.

Thanks in advance.

[Boris 24]

You can connect XP computer to home network.When you need it online enable network adapter.If you want computer offline disable network. To enable and disable adapter you can from Device Manager.

[Rahul]

well u want to use your xp pc as a storage pcbut don't want to expose it to internet, then just go to lan settings and assign a manual ip address and remove the DNS settings,

Once dns settings are removed internet wont work on xp pc, but it will be in the network to share files between pcs....Hope this is what u asked.....