OT: How to network more than 5 computers on WinXP?

[PeteG]

Hi all,

I know this is way OT, but here goes. I am trying to network 6 computers to a central "serving" computer (not a true server). I have my (wired) network connected all fine and use a 3-com switch at the serving computer. I have done this before with 3 computers with no problem at all. Problem is, if I try to connect more than 5 computers (including the "serving" computer), Windows XP says I have "exceeded my limit" of computers on the network.

I have XP home on all computers. I am told by some that this limit is simply set by Microsoft to get you to upgrade to servers, etc ( ). I am also told there is probably some way to override this setting so that I can connect all my computers.

I figured there must be some computer guru on the board that can give me some info to accomplish what I want to do, without having to get a server.

By the way, I don't need every computer to talk to each other. I just need the 6 to be able to read data off of the seventh "serving" computer, and be able to transfer data from the six "workstations" to the seventh "serving" computer".

Sorry about my amateur computer rant. It's just the easiest way I could explain it. Thanks in advance!!!!