Network Magic 2.0

I ran across Network Magic on the internet and a review of it on CNET (or
Zdnet?). It seems to make networking simple for people who know little about
setting up a network (that's me). I want to set up a simple system-- PC
hardwired with SBC Yahoo! through a 2Wire wireless modem/router, then
connect wirelessly my grandaughter's Toshiba notebook (Christmas present)
with printer/file sharing capability.

I've read much (maybe too much) over the past few months and still feel
inadequate to do this without much trial and error. I have the program, but
don't intend to setup the network until shortly before Christmas. What I'm
wondering is if Network Magic is going to inhibit the Toshiba notebook from
later being able to access legitimate hotspots. Since the program must be
installed on each computer in the network, I thought it might be dome kind
of "closed circuit" setup. My post probably testifies to how little I know
about this subject.

TIA

Gene H.

I can't say I've ever had cause to use Network Magic. However, setting up
your network the traditional way will be more of a learning experience, and
cheaper.


--
All the best,

Ryan Younger.
http://spaces.msn.com/members/airsick/ - My Wireless Networking Blog

(E-Mail Removed)


"Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I ran across Network Magic on the internet and a review of it on CNET (or
>Zdnet?). It seems to make networking simple for people who know little
>about setting up a network (that's me). I want to set up a simple system--
>PC hardwired with SBC Yahoo! through a 2Wire wireless modem/router, then
>connect wirelessly my grandaughter's Toshiba notebook (Christmas present)
>with printer/file sharing capability.
>
> I've read much (maybe too much) over the past few months and still feel
> inadequate to do this without much trial and error. I have the program,
> but don't intend to setup the network until shortly before Christmas.
> What I'm wondering is if Network Magic is going to inhibit the Toshiba
> notebook from later being able to access legitimate hotspots. Since the
> program must be installed on each computer in the network, I thought it
> might be dome kind of "closed circuit" setup. My post probably testifies
> to how little I know about this subject.
>
> TIA
>
> Gene H.
>

Well, I've already got the program. While there was a time when I would
value a "learning experience," now I just want simple and easy. I will be
setting up a network connection for my granddaughter on her father's PC, and
don't want to go through what I had to experience on my own setup. I was
able to get wireless connection on mine, but file/printer sharing just
wouldn't happen.

Had to pay for an "expert" who had more trouble than I did and he finally
managed it. It appears he had to "map" the host (mine) PC's drives to the
laptop --maybe this is the way it is supposed to be done, but the setup
doesn't appear to be like those I read about. Hence, if Network Magic is a
good solution, I would like to go with it. It got mostly good user reviews
on ZDNet and from ZDNet itself.


"Ryan Younger" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:O5p$q%(E-Mail Removed)...
>I can't say I've ever had cause to use Network Magic. However, setting up
>your network the traditional way will be more of a learning experience, and
>cheaper.
>
>
> --
> All the best,
>
> Ryan Younger.
> http://spaces.msn.com/members/airsick/ - My Wireless Networking Blog
>
> (E-Mail Removed)
>
>
> "Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>I ran across Network Magic on the internet and a review of it on CNET (or
>>Zdnet?). It seems to make networking simple for people who know little
>>about setting up a network (that's me). I want to set up a simple system--
>>PC hardwired with SBC Yahoo! through a 2Wire wireless modem/router, then
>>connect wirelessly my grandaughter's Toshiba notebook (Christmas present)
>>with printer/file sharing capability.
>>
>> I've read much (maybe too much) over the past few months and still feel
>> inadequate to do this without much trial and error. I have the program,
>> but don't intend to setup the network until shortly before Christmas.
>> What I'm wondering is if Network Magic is going to inhibit the Toshiba
>> notebook from later being able to access legitimate hotspots. Since the
>> program must be installed on each computer in the network, I thought it
>> might be dome kind of "closed circuit" setup. My post probably testifies
>> to how little I know about this subject.
>>
>> TIA
>>
>> Gene H.
>>
>
>

If you feel the program may be of use to you then I would say give it a
whirl. You don't say what operating system you are currently using or were
using previously when you said you encountered issues. Windows XP comes
with a 'Wireless Network Setup Wizard' (you'll need to make sure you are
using a fully patched machine including Service Pack 2, you can download all
updates at http://www.windowsupdate.com/ ) which greatly simplifies the
process of setting up a wireless network. This feature can be accesed by
clicking Start > Control Panel > Wireless Network Setup Wizard

--
All the best,

Ryan Younger.
http://spaces.msn.com/members/airsick/ - My Wireless Networking Blog

(E-Mail Removed)

"Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Well, I've already got the program. While there was a time when I would
> value a "learning experience," now I just want simple and easy. I will be
> setting up a network connection for my granddaughter on her father's PC,
> and don't want to go through what I had to experience on my own setup. I
> was able to get wireless connection on mine, but file/printer sharing just
> wouldn't happen.
>
> Had to pay for an "expert" who had more trouble than I did and he finally
> managed it. It appears he had to "map" the host (mine) PC's drives to the
> laptop --maybe this is the way it is supposed to be done, but the setup
> doesn't appear to be like those I read about. Hence, if Network Magic is a
> good solution, I would like to go with it. It got mostly good user
> reviews on ZDNet and from ZDNet itself.
>
>
> "Ryan Younger" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:O5p$q%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>I can't say I've ever had cause to use Network Magic. However, setting up
>>your network the traditional way will be more of a learning experience,
>>and cheaper.
>>
>>
>> --
>> All the best,
>>
>> Ryan Younger.
>> http://spaces.msn.com/members/airsick/ - My Wireless Networking
>> Blog
>>
>> (E-Mail Removed)
>>
>>
>> "Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>I ran across Network Magic on the internet and a review of it on CNET (or
>>>Zdnet?). It seems to make networking simple for people who know little
>>>about setting up a network (that's me). I want to set up a simple
>>>system-- PC hardwired with SBC Yahoo! through a 2Wire wireless
>>>modem/router, then connect wirelessly my grandaughter's Toshiba notebook
>>>(Christmas present) with printer/file sharing capability.
>>>
>>> I've read much (maybe too much) over the past few months and still feel
>>> inadequate to do this without much trial and error. I have the program,
>>> but don't intend to setup the network until shortly before Christmas.
>>> What I'm wondering is if Network Magic is going to inhibit the Toshiba
>>> notebook from later being able to access legitimate hotspots. Since the
>>> program must be installed on each computer in the network, I thought it
>>> might be dome kind of "closed circuit" setup. My post probably
>>> testifies to how little I know about this subject.
>>>
>>> TIA
>>>
>>> Gene H.
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

If you're using XP, better create a restore point before doing anything.
Good luck

"Ryan Younger" wrote:

> If you feel the program may be of use to you then I would say give it a
> whirl. You don't say what operating system you are currently using or were
> using previously when you said you encountered issues. Windows XP comes
> with a 'Wireless Network Setup Wizard' (you'll need to make sure you are
> using a fully patched machine including Service Pack 2, you can download all
> updates at http://www.windowsupdate.com/ ) which greatly simplifies the
> process of setting up a wireless network. This feature can be accesed by
> clicking Start > Control Panel > Wireless Network Setup Wizard
>
> --
> All the best,
>
> Ryan Younger.
> http://spaces.msn.com/members/airsick/ - My Wireless Networking Blog
>
> (E-Mail Removed)
>
> "Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Well, I've already got the program. While there was a time when I would
> > value a "learning experience," now I just want simple and easy. I will be
> > setting up a network connection for my granddaughter on her father's PC,
> > and don't want to go through what I had to experience on my own setup. I
> > was able to get wireless connection on mine, but file/printer sharing just
> > wouldn't happen.
> >
> > Had to pay for an "expert" who had more trouble than I did and he finally
> > managed it. It appears he had to "map" the host (mine) PC's drives to the
> > laptop --maybe this is the way it is supposed to be done, but the setup
> > doesn't appear to be like those I read about. Hence, if Network Magic is a
> > good solution, I would like to go with it. It got mostly good user
> > reviews on ZDNet and from ZDNet itself.
> >
> >
> > "Ryan Younger" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:O5p$q%(E-Mail Removed)...
> >>I can't say I've ever had cause to use Network Magic. However, setting up
> >>your network the traditional way will be more of a learning experience,
> >>and cheaper.
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> All the best,
> >>
> >> Ryan Younger.
> >> http://spaces.msn.com/members/airsick/ - My Wireless Networking
> >> Blog
> >>
> >> (E-Mail Removed)
> >>
> >>
> >> "Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> >> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >>>I ran across Network Magic on the internet and a review of it on CNET (or
> >>>Zdnet?). It seems to make networking simple for people who know little
> >>>about setting up a network (that's me). I want to set up a simple
> >>>system-- PC hardwired with SBC Yahoo! through a 2Wire wireless
> >>>modem/router, then connect wirelessly my grandaughter's Toshiba notebook
> >>>(Christmas present) with printer/file sharing capability.
> >>>
> >>> I've read much (maybe too much) over the past few months and still feel
> >>> inadequate to do this without much trial and error. I have the program,
> >>> but don't intend to setup the network until shortly before Christmas.
> >>> What I'm wondering is if Network Magic is going to inhibit the Toshiba
> >>> notebook from later being able to access legitimate hotspots. Since the
> >>> program must be installed on each computer in the network, I thought it
> >>> might be dome kind of "closed circuit" setup. My post probably
> >>> testifies to how little I know about this subject.
> >>>
> >>> TIA
> >>>
> >>> Gene H.
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>
>

"Nick" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:C8D4F79E-1D5F-4C01-8930-(E-Mail Removed)...
> If you're using XP, better create a restore point before doing anything.
> Good luck
>
> "Ryan Younger" wrote:
>
>> If you feel the program may be of use to you then I would say give it a
>> whirl. You don't say what operating system you are currently using or
>> were
>> using previously when you said you encountered issues. Windows XP comes
>> with a 'Wireless Network Setup Wizard' (you'll need to make sure you are
>> using a fully patched machine including Service Pack 2, you can download
>> all
>> updates at http://www.windowsupdate.com/ ) which greatly simplifies the
>> process of setting up a wireless network. This feature can be accesed by
>> clicking Start > Control Panel > Wireless Network Setup Wizard
>>
>> --
>> All the best,
>>
>> Ryan Younger.
>> http://spaces.msn.com/members/airsick/ - My Wireless Networking
>> Blog
>>
>> (E-Mail Removed)
>>
>> "Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> > Well, I've already got the program. While there was a time when I
>> > would
>> > value a "learning experience," now I just want simple and easy. I will
>> > be
>> > setting up a network connection for my granddaughter on her father's
>> > PC,
>> > and don't want to go through what I had to experience on my own setup.
>> > I
>> > was able to get wireless connection on mine, but file/printer sharing
>> > just
>> > wouldn't happen.
>> >
>> > Had to pay for an "expert" who had more trouble than I did and he
>> > finally
>> > managed it. It appears he had to "map" the host (mine) PC's drives to
>> > the
>> > laptop --maybe this is the way it is supposed to be done, but the
>> > setup
>> > doesn't appear to be like those I read about. Hence, if Network Magic
>> > is a
>> > good solution, I would like to go with it. It got mostly good user
>> > reviews on ZDNet and from ZDNet itself.
>> >
>> >
>> > "Ryan Younger" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> > news:O5p$q%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >>I can't say I've ever had cause to use Network Magic. However, setting
>> >>up
>> >>your network the traditional way will be more of a learning experience,
>> >>and cheaper.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> All the best,
>> >>
>> >> Ryan Younger.
>> >> http://spaces.msn.com/members/airsick/ - My Wireless Networking
>> >> Blog
>> >>
>> >> (E-Mail Removed)
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
>> >> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >>>I ran across Network Magic on the internet and a review of it on CNET
>> >>>(or
>> >>>Zdnet?). It seems to make networking simple for people who know little
>> >>>about setting up a network (that's me). I want to set up a simple
>> >>>system-- PC hardwired with SBC Yahoo! through a 2Wire wireless
>> >>>modem/router, then connect wirelessly my grandaughter's Toshiba
>> >>>notebook
>> >>>(Christmas present) with printer/file sharing capability.
>> >>>
>> >>> I've read much (maybe too much) over the past few months and still
>> >>> feel
>> >>> inadequate to do this without much trial and error. I have the
>> >>> program,
>> >>> but don't intend to setup the network until shortly before Christmas.
>> >>> What I'm wondering is if Network Magic is going to inhibit the
>> >>> Toshiba
>> >>> notebook from later being able to access legitimate hotspots. Since
>> >>> the
>> >>> program must be installed on each computer in the network, I thought
>> >>> it
>> >>> might be dome kind of "closed circuit" setup. My post probably
>> >>> testifies to how little I know about this subject.
>> >>>
>> >>> TIA
>> >>>
>> >>> Gene H.
>> >>>

Thanks to both responders. I'm using WinXP (SP2) and was remiss in not
stating this earlier. I apologize for that. I usually remember to establish
restore points before making significant actions to the system. Has helped
on a number of occasions, although not always.

"Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I ran across Network Magic on the internet and a review of it on CNET (or
>Zdnet?). It seems to make networking simple for people who know little
>about setting up a network (that's me). I want to set up a simple system--
>PC hardwired with SBC Yahoo! through a 2Wire wireless modem/router, then
>connect wirelessly my grandaughter's Toshiba notebook (Christmas present)
>with printer/file sharing capability.
>
> I've read much (maybe too much) over the past few months and still feel
> inadequate to do this without much trial and error. I have the program,
> but don't intend to setup the network until shortly before Christmas.
> What I'm wondering is if Network Magic is going to inhibit the Toshiba
> notebook from later being able to access legitimate hotspots. Since the
> program must be installed on each computer in the network, I thought it
> might be dome kind of "closed circuit" setup. My post probably testifies
> to how little I know about this subject.

Network Magic does not need to be installed on all computers on a network.
I tried the program out, installing it on two of four systems on my home
network. The two systems that did not have Network Magic installed still
connected and worked properly. My understanding is that it used the various
functions of Windows and just consolidates them into one easy user
interface. There is no requirement that it has to be installed on every
computer on a network.

"Peter A. Stavrakoglou" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>I ran across Network Magic on the internet and a review of it on CNET (or
>>Zdnet?). It seems to make networking simple for people who know little
>>about setting up a network (that's me). I want to set up a simple system--
>>PC hardwired with SBC Yahoo! through a 2Wire wireless modem/router, then
>>connect wirelessly my grandaughter's Toshiba notebook (Christmas present)
>>with printer/file sharing capability.
>>
>> I've read much (maybe too much) over the past few months and still feel
>> inadequate to do this without much trial and error. I have the program,
>> but don't intend to setup the network until shortly before Christmas.
>> What I'm wondering is if Network Magic is going to inhibit the Toshiba
>> notebook from later being able to access legitimate hotspots. Since the
>> program must be installed on each computer in the network, I thought it
>> might be dome kind of "closed circuit" setup. My post probably testifies
>> to how little I know about this subject.
>
> Network Magic does not need to be installed on all computers on a network.
> I tried the program out, installing it on two of four systems on my home
> network. The two systems that did not have Network Magic installed still
> connected and worked properly. My understanding is that it used the
> various functions of Windows and just consolidates them into one easy user
> interface. There is no requirement that it has to be installed on every
> computer on a network.

Your post has encouraged me to go ahead with Network Magic -- also other
reviews I've read since my first posting. Because Network Magic supposedly
searches out other devices connected to a network, theoretically you
wouldn't need to copy it to all PCs on the home network. However, the
Network Magic web site FAQs definitely state to copy the program to all PCs
"in your home network." Further, a review by PC Magazine says in part:

"...The real "magic" begins when you install the software on additional
Windows computers. The additional systems will also scan and discover all
devices on the network and those devices will just show up in the Network
Magic Interface..."

I would hazard a guess that it would be important to copy the program to a
wireless PC (or notebook) -- then the program on the wireless component
would search to the home wired device and establish the connection. I didn't
run across the FAQ section before. It's worth reading. Thanks again.

You might not need to install network magic on all computers and here's why.

The Network Neighborhood on all networked computers works by using the
Browser service. When a computer starts up, it first checks for a master
browser, and if it finds one on the network it announces its self and any
shares on the computer. This is what populates the network neighborhood. The
master browser on the network uses an election process,with the criteria
being Windows version, then computer uptime. Windows XP will always win an
election over Win2k or Win98. A server operating system will always win an
election over desktop operating systems.

If it doesn't find a master browser it elects its self to be master browser
thus holding the master browse list used to populate the network
neighborhood on all other networked computers.

Sharing a resource on a computer is the key to the network and the network
places. When you share a drive, folder, printer, or anything else that you
want shared this will automatically start the SERVER service on your
computer, which in turn will announce the shared resources to the computer
holding the master browse list(which could be its self), thus populating the
network neighborhood within your network. This all happens behind the scenes
without any user intervention.

This might be more info than you wanted, but I thought you might want to
know how Windows networking works.

Post back with details on how Network Magic works for you.
I am going to research this program.


"Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Peter A. Stavrakoglou" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> "Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>I ran across Network Magic on the internet and a review of it on CNET (or
>>>Zdnet?). It seems to make networking simple for people who know little
>>>about setting up a network (that's me). I want to set up a simple
>>>system-- PC hardwired with SBC Yahoo! through a 2Wire wireless
>>>modem/router, then connect wirelessly my grandaughter's Toshiba notebook
>>>(Christmas present) with printer/file sharing capability.
>>>
>>> I've read much (maybe too much) over the past few months and still feel
>>> inadequate to do this without much trial and error. I have the program,
>>> but don't intend to setup the network until shortly before Christmas.
>>> What I'm wondering is if Network Magic is going to inhibit the Toshiba
>>> notebook from later being able to access legitimate hotspots. Since the
>>> program must be installed on each computer in the network, I thought it
>>> might be dome kind of "closed circuit" setup. My post probably
>>> testifies to how little I know about this subject.
>>
>> Network Magic does not need to be installed on all computers on a
>> network. I tried the program out, installing it on two of four systems on
>> my home network. The two systems that did not have Network Magic
>> installed still connected and worked properly. My understanding is that
>> it used the various functions of Windows and just consolidates them into
>> one easy user interface. There is no requirement that it has to be
>> installed on every computer on a network.
>
> Your post has encouraged me to go ahead with Network Magic -- also other
> reviews I've read since my first posting. Because Network Magic supposedly
> searches out other devices connected to a network, theoretically you
> wouldn't need to copy it to all PCs on the home network. However, the
> Network Magic web site FAQs definitely state to copy the program to all
> PCs "in your home network." Further, a review by PC Magazine says in
> part:
>
> "...The real "magic" begins when you install the software on additional
> Windows computers. The additional systems will also scan and discover all
> devices on the network and those devices will just show up in the Network
> Magic Interface..."
>
> I would hazard a guess that it would be important to copy the program to a
> wireless PC (or notebook) -- then the program on the wireless component
> would search to the home wired device and establish the connection. I
> didn't run across the FAQ section before. It's worth reading. Thanks
> again.
>

"Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Peter A. Stavrakoglou" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> "Gene Hora" <geneho12(no-spam-remove)@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>I ran across Network Magic on the internet and a review of it on CNET (or
>>>Zdnet?). It seems to make networking simple for people who know little
>>>about setting up a network (that's me). I want to set up a simple
>>>system-- PC hardwired with SBC Yahoo! through a 2Wire wireless
>>>modem/router, then connect wirelessly my grandaughter's Toshiba notebook
>>>(Christmas present) with printer/file sharing capability.
>>>
>>> I've read much (maybe too much) over the past few months and still feel
>>> inadequate to do this without much trial and error. I have the program,
>>> but don't intend to setup the network until shortly before Christmas.
>>> What I'm wondering is if Network Magic is going to inhibit the Toshiba
>>> notebook from later being able to access legitimate hotspots. Since the
>>> program must be installed on each computer in the network, I thought it
>>> might be dome kind of "closed circuit" setup. My post probably
>>> testifies to how little I know about this subject.
>>
>> Network Magic does not need to be installed on all computers on a
>> network. I tried the program out, installing it on two of four systems on
>> my home network. The two systems that did not have Network Magic
>> installed still connected and worked properly. My understanding is that
>> it used the various functions of Windows and just consolidates them into
>> one easy user interface. There is no requirement that it has to be
>> installed on every computer on a network.
>
> Your post has encouraged me to go ahead with Network Magic -- also other
> reviews I've read since my first posting. Because Network Magic supposedly
> searches out other devices connected to a network, theoretically you
> wouldn't need to copy it to all PCs on the home network. However, the
> Network Magic web site FAQs definitely state to copy the program to all
> PCs "in your home network." Further, a review by PC Magazine says in
> part:
>
> "...The real "magic" begins when you install the software on additional
> Windows computers. The additional systems will also scan and discover all
> devices on the network and those devices will just show up in the Network
> Magic Interface..."
>
> I would hazard a guess that it would be important to copy the program to a
> wireless PC (or notebook) -- then the program on the wireless component
> would search to the home wired device and establish the connection. I
> didn't run across the FAQ section before. It's worth reading. Thanks
> again.

Although you don't need to install the app on all systems, the license
covers 5 installations, IIRC. So, in that case, it would seem like a good
idea to install it on all systems in your home since the license allows it.
It does make networking easier. Come to think of it, I just might go ahead
and order a license for the new version. I can work my way through most
home networking problems but they do frustrate me sometimes and Network
Magic makes it easier.