I have several computers in my house, all with different types of files on them. One of them is my server, PC, old computer, a bazillion year old (not really ) laptop, and this one in my basement. I would like to be able to connect to all of these just using one computer. I know there's a program out there, but I don't exactly know what to search for. So if someone could help, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

If I am understanding correctly, you want to access the files on other computers.

Windows sharing would do this, no program needed.

Windows sharing? *cough*
What's that.

In a folders properties, go to the sharing tab, and turn it on.

And that would help me share over computers around my house how?

You can then go into My Network Places, go to 'View Workgroup Computers' and see the other computers. You may be able to click on the computer, and access it, or it might ask you for username and passwords to the guest account. If it doesn't let you just access it, it can get difficult to set up (compared to it just working).

Here is a brilliant article on file sharing: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharin...aring/index.htm

First of all, are your workstations on a network together?

Yes, we are all on a wireless network, if that's what you mean. Thanks Stobbo. I'll look in to that too.

what networking program do you use?

I use Network Magic and has a built in sharing system...(when I say 'I use I mean my dad set it up)

If you are properly connected, you will see the workstations in the Network Places > View workgroup computers as stobbo said. Then go into the Shared Docs folder and drag files there. Placing docs in your Shared Docs folder will allow the other workstations to use your files. You can share printers this way too. Just go into the workstation with the printer and select it. No need to go into the folder's options and select share, just drag-and-drop in the Sharing Docs folder.

Okay, whats the "Run" command for Network places?

all you need to do is make a workgorup then share all the folders you wanst to share and add all the computers at your house to your network to add a windows computer to a network go to my computer then computer name the details. And all of your files are now shared.

To make a windows workgorup heres a dicent tutorial.

http://www.geekgirls.com/windowsxp_home_network.htm

ncpa.cpl is the run command for Network Connections. In the left pane, under the section Other Places, you will see My Network Places


We have already discusses how to setup file sharing in our previous posts. No need to echo what we have said. Please read the whole thread next time before posting links.

You could try Synergy http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/

Okay, what exactly is a hostname?

Sorry to digress but I honestly have no clue how you could know how to set up a server and wireless network but not share files between them or know what their hostnames are.

It's truly mind-boggling.

Eh, no server. I just need to know what it is.

While setting up your network, you set all your computers to be on the same subnet where only the last octet of the IP address was different between them. Then you go into the "Setup a Home or Small Office" wizard and follow the prompts. Within that wizard, you are asked what Workgroup you want the computer to be in. All networked computers should be in the same workgroup. The name if this workgroup doesn't matter so I end up just naming mine "WORKGROUP."

After you have setup the IP addresses and subnet, and used the wizard on all workstations, your next step is to ping each workstation from every station. Go to run > cmd and type the ping command followed by the workstation's IP address. ping 122.1.1.2 and you'll hopefully get a successful response. Then follow it up for the other workstations. You should ping from computer A to B, C, D, etc. Then you have to go to computer B and ping A, C, D, etc. It is necessary to ping every workstation from every other workstation in a small network to make sure that all computers can send and receive signals from each other. You may need to allow your firewall access, or choose to disable the Windows firewall.

Lastly, go into the Network Connections, My Network Places, View Workgroup Computers, then try to access every computer from every computer. You should be connected. If everything works: Congratulations! You have setup your own home network and can share files between them.