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Sharing files and folders on a network can be very easy. As computers become cheaper, more and more families are now buying more than one computer. Because of this, networking is a must if you want them all on the internet. But why stop there? If you're using a router for all the computers to access the internet, then it's easy for the computers to access each other. You can share important files, documents, pictures, music or even a printer with other members of the family. |
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| How Easy is it? | Creating and Access Shared Folders | |||
| Pretty darn easy. Don't worry, there's nothing special you have to buy. It's just a matter of following a few easy steps and you're on your way to sharing all sorts of good stuff. First, make sure that all the computers are running Microsoft Windows XP. If they aren't, then there may be some problems encountered while trying to network them together. There's not enough time in the world to go over every possible scenario in which a Windows 98 and Windows XP won't communicate with each other. As such, this article will only cover computers that are running Windows XP. If you have other computers that are running 95, 98, Me or 2000, then it's time to upgrade. ;-p You also must be connecting to the internet via a router, hub or gateway. If you have high-speed internet AND if you have all the computers able to be on the internet at once, then you most likely have a router, and you should be fine to continue. |
Now that the network is setup it's time to actually share
something. For any folder you wish to share simply right-click it and
select properties at the bottom. Click on the "Sharing" tab and click
inside the box next to "Share this folder on the network" and give
it a name, usually the default folder name is sufficient. If you want to
allow others to change, delete or modify the files then you need to select
the corresponding box as well. You should use "My Network Places" in order to see all the computers on the network. The "My Network Places" icon should be on the desktop. If it isn't then right-click anywhere on the desktop and go to "Properties". Click the "Desktop" tab then click "Customize Desktop". Make sure the box for "My Network Places" is checked and click OK, then OK again. The icon should now be somewhere on your desktop. Double-click to open it. Hopefully you will see the other computers. If not then click "View workgroup computers" located in the first column on the left side of the window. All the other computers should be now listed. Printing over the network is pretty easy to configure. (Of course you must have a printer installed on a computer that's on the network) Go to the "Start" menu and select "Printers and Faxes". If it's not there then go into the control panel and select it. On the left side of the screen that came up select "add a printer", then click "Next". Choose "a network printer" and click "Next". Choose "Browse" and select the printer you wish to print to. When selected click "Next", then "Next" then "Finish". Depending on the printer brand you may need the install disk that originally came with the printer. Be sure to test it out. Just a note, that in order for the printer to work, the computer that it's connected to must be on. Troubleshooting: First, restart all the computers and make sure that they're all logged onto. Sometimes the network needs a few minutes after restarting in order to show up. Be patient. If it takes longer than five minutes then something is wrong. If you're still having problems seeing the other computers make sure that any firewall that you may have is configured correctly (Norton Internet Security can be a pain when it comes to networking). You can always disable the firewall, or the whole program, just to check and see if it is the problem. Also check to make sure you have internet access with each computer. If you have internet, you should have the network.
"You
will never do anything in this world |
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| Configuring Your Computer | ||||
| Again, these steps
are for computers running Windows XP. Fist, go to the "Start" menu located
at the bottom left of the screen. Click on "Control Panel". Find the icon
that reads "Network Setup Wizard" and click it. (If you don't see
it then you may need to switch to classic view by clicking on it in the
top left pane of the window) A small screen should pop up, click "Next"
(you may experience a short pause while the program searches for your
connection) "Select a connection method" should be your next screen
and one of the radio buttons will be highlighted. Almost 99% of the
population should choose the middle one that reads "This computer
connects to the Internet through a residential gateway or through another
computer on my network". When chosen click "Next". The next
screen is where you name your computer. The fist box "Computer
description" can be anything you want, it won't be used for anything
important. The second box "Computer name" is important because it's
what other people on the network will see and identify as such. A lot of
people simply use their names in order to identify who's computer it is
(Jimmy, Brad, Jenny). Once you add a name click "Next". This screen
asks you to enter a "Workgroup name". This is very important
because all the computers should have the same Workgroup name. It doesn't
matter what the name is, just as long as they're all the same. A lot of
people use the family's last name or just stick with MSHOME, it's really
up to you. Once done, click "Next". Finally, on this screen you
should choose to turn on file and printer sharing and click "Next". Review
what you entered and click "Next" to apply the settings to your computer.
This may take a few minutes, be patient. When completed a screen will ask
you if you want to create a Network Setup Disk. Just choose the last
selection that reads "Just finish the wizard;" and click "Next". On
the next screen click "Finish". That computer is all ready to go!
Simply repeat all of these steps on the other computers and your done!
Easy, right?
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