Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
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Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
11-01-2010 7:01 PM
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Would linking the PCs mean that this would no longer be necessary? Could I, in effect, access the internet directly from PC number 2? What other advantages would there be if I did link th two machines? Sorry for the very basic questions, but I'm new to the whole idea of networks (and I'm not even sure if a network is what I'm talking about) and I've found it hard to run down truly basic advice online.
If anyone can point me towards a really straightforward words-of-one-syllable article on the subject I'd be extremely grateful.
Many thanks.
Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
11-01-2010 7:45 PM
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Then enable windows file sharing on both machines and off you go.
Not got any urls to hand as I'm running Linux but that is basically all there is to it.
Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
11-01-2010 7:50 PM
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* where you specify the name of the PC you have exactly the same workgroup name on both machines
* you have the same usernames and passwords on both machines
* in the Local Area Connection Properties you have File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks enabled
jelv (a.k.a Spoon Whittler) Why I have left Plusnet (warning: long post!) Broadband: Andrews & Arnold Home::1 (FTTC 80/20) Line rental: Pulse 8 Home Line Rental (£14.40/month) Mobile: iD mobile (£4/month) |
Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
11-01-2010 7:53 PM
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Quote Connect both PCs to the router - either through cables or set up their wireless connections.
PC2 (the non-internet one) has no wireless capability, so it'll be a cable (Ethernet?).
Quote Both machines can then access the internet and can see each other on the network.
I'm not sure how this "seeing each other" works in practice.
Quote Then enable windows file sharing on both machines...
And again, I've no idea how to do this, hence my need for a truly basic walk-through of the procedure. But you've given me specific stuff to look up, so I'm grateful. I've also discovered that there's a Home Networks for Dummies book, so perhaps I should invest in that.
Jelv, thanks for the reply but once again I'm at a lower level of understanding than you're aiming your reply at. "Specify the name of the PC" where exactly? That's th sort of thing I need to find out.
Bert
Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
11-01-2010 7:58 PM
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jelv (a.k.a Spoon Whittler) Why I have left Plusnet (warning: long post!) Broadband: Andrews & Arnold Home::1 (FTTC 80/20) Line rental: Pulse 8 Home Line Rental (£14.40/month) Mobile: iD mobile (£4/month) |
Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
11-01-2010 7:59 PM
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Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
11-01-2010 8:21 PM
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If you're as much of a novice as you indicate an hour of a PC experts time will sort it all out for you - money well spent.
Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
11-01-2010 8:25 PM
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As has been mentioned, before you start, choose UNIQUE names for both PCs, and also think of a name for the WORKGROUP. Windows 7 and XP, use differnet ones as default. Set these up first, and then reboot both systems.
If you are lucky, if you open my network places in XP and networking on 7 both PCs should show up there.
Make sure both the Public folder on 7 and the Shared Docs on XP are set to be shared over the network, if they are they will have a little hand underneathe them. If not, right click the folder, select sharing and security, and highlight the button <share this folder>
it may be easier for you to run the network setup wizard, found under START - ACCESSORYS - COMMUNICATIONS - NETWORK SETUP WIZARD
This should do it all for you, including changing the PC and workgroup names. Post back if you get stuck
PS Ensure both systems have the same username and password as Jelv suggested, or you will run into other problems.
Good Luck
Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
11-01-2010 8:54 PM
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This is new and different to Vista.
Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
12-01-2010 10:53 AM
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Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
12-01-2010 11:06 AM
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The odd thing is that a clean install of Windows 7 Home Premium immediately saw my home network and the computers on it (running XP) without me doing anything.
Quote from: HPsauce Windows 7, to be more explicit, use Home Group sharing by default. You will have to turn this off before it will even see the XP machine.
This is new and different to Vista.
Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
12-01-2010 11:15 AM
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I think, depending on the source of the install DVD, you may be asked if you want to use it.
I've seen several PC's that had it turned on by default and others where you positively had to decide to not turn it on - and the average user has no idea of the implications.
Another area that people trip over is password-protected sharing. To work "easily" with XP it's best (though less secure) to turn this off.
And turn on Network Discovery too.
Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
12-01-2010 11:36 AM
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I don't remember turning it on but I do remember turning it off
One thing I did find was that I kept losing the connection to the other XP computers (it wouldn't see them) and Network Map wouldn't work.
It turned out that XP SP3 sometimes doesn't have LLTD installed properly even if it thinks it has and you need to install it manually
http://forums.techguy.org/windows-vista/812883-vista-cant-see-xp-lltd.html
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
12-01-2010 11:48 AM
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Re: Setting up a home network (if that's what I mean)...
12-01-2010 3:43 PM
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Quote from: HPsauce ...sometimes you just have to accept that sharing printers is not worth the effort .
Ah, so even if I do go for a network, perhaps I should think in terms of retaining my existing printer setup, which uses a simple USB switch to connect it to both computers? It certainly works perfectly well, with the very useful full Canon toolbox suite on the XP machine and just the basic drivers on the Win7 PC (since the Canon software isn't compatible, alas).
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