Home network question

While not technically incompetent, I have no experience in networking PCs.

We have two desktop PCs (one XP Pro, one Vista Home Premium) and one
notebook (Vista Home Premium). All three are connected to the Internet via
a Belkin G MIMO router (DSL service). The notebook is wireless and the
desktops are connected via Ethernet cables.

What will it take for me to set them all up on one network so I can share
files and use a common printer?

Thanks,
Craig

Thanks, Frank. I'll give it a try and post the results.

Craig

"Frankster" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:6_Wdnbh-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Williams" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> While not technically incompetent, I have no experience in networking
>> PCs.
>>
>> We have two desktop PCs (one XP Pro, one Vista Home Premium) and one
>> notebook (Vista Home Premium). All three are connected to the Internet
>> via a Belkin G MIMO router (DSL service). The notebook is wireless and
>> the desktops are connected via Ethernet cables.
>>
>> What will it take for me to set them all up on one network so I can share
>> files and use a common printer?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Craig
>
> 1) Make the WORKGROUP name the SAME for all three computers. Doesn't
> matter what it is, but they should be the same. This is found under
> Computer|Properties|Advanced|ComputerName in Vista. Similar in XP.
> Reboot. You might just as well assign an "easy to type" computer name on
> each one at the same time.
>
> 2) Make sure the logon you (and others) normally use (i.e. userID AND
> Password) is set up on EACH AND EVERY PC with Administrator privileges.
> These must match EXACTLY on each machine (userID and Password).
>
> 3) Go to to the PC and the directory you want to share out to others using
> Windows Explorer, right-click and choose
> Properties|ShareTab|AdvancedSharing and check the "share this folder"
> checkbox. Give it a sharename (I usually just use the default directory
> name, but...). Also make SURE you have selected EVERYONE under the
> sharing Permissions.
>
> 4) Go to the PC with the printer installed (install one normally if you
> have not already) and right click on the printer icon and select SHARE
> this printer. Select a sharing name (usually the default is fine).
>
> 5) Go to each PC you want to connect to the shared directory and/or
> printer and...
>
> a. Printer: select ADD PRINTER|Network printer|Browse then expand the
> server PC by clicking the + sign and select the printer you want to
> connect to. Select OK. This will normally auto-load the correct driver
> onto the client PC. If not, you MAY have to provide a local driver -
> usually not.
>
> b. Shared directory: Open Explorer and pull down the tools menu. Select
> Map Network Drive. Select to BROWSE. Expand the server PC by selecting
> the + sign and choose the drive you want to connect to (make sure the
> "reconnect at each logon" box is checked when you do this so you won't
> have to do it every time).
>
> Done!
>
> -Frank
>

Hi
Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local
traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should
be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers
on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party
Firewall instructions.
General example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trusted
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb727037.aspx
Windows XP File Sharing -
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...utt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista (Not need for XP-SP3) -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
When you done configuring do a hard Reboot of the computers and the Router.
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"Williams" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> While not technically incompetent, I have no experience in networking PCs.
>
> We have two desktop PCs (one XP Pro, one Vista Home Premium) and one
> notebook (Vista Home Premium). All three are connected to the Internet
> via a Belkin G MIMO router (DSL service). The notebook is wireless and
> the desktops are connected via Ethernet cables.
>
> What will it take for me to set them all up on one network so I can share
> files and use a common printer?
>
> Thanks,
> Craig