Tech:Create a network, share files and folders and remote desktop

TSR Wiki > Life > Computing and Technology > Create a network, share files and folders and remote desktop

What you need

At least 2 computers wirelessly connected to the router (Home Hub or whatever you want to call it, something that allows you to go onto the Internet)

One Brain

Hands

Bottle of alcohol (I prefer beer :D)

Creating a Network

To create a network, assuming both computers can connect to the Internet wirelessly, follow this steps.

Click the 'Start' button and then select 'My Network Places'.

If 'My Network Places' is not there, click 'Start', then 'Connect To', then 'Show all connections', and then 'My

Network Places'

You should see a sidebar with Network Tasks at the left hand side, click 'Set up a Home or Small Office Network'.

Follow these instructions:

Applies for Wirelessly connected computers

1.

Click Next.

2.

Click Next.

3.

Tick the box which says, 'Ignore disconnected network hardware', and click Next.

4.

Select the second statement, click Next.

5.

Type your computer description and name, click Next.

6.

The Workgroup Name MUST BE the same as the one you use to access the Internet! If you forgot the name of the Wireless Network, don't fear, assuming you are already on the Internet, go to 'Start' then 'Connect To' and click 'Wireless Network Connection'. A status box should pop up, read the second line, Network:, that's the Network and Workgroup name.

This is where I had my problem when trying to set up the Network too!

After typing the Workgroup name in, click Next.

7.

Well doofus! You want File Sharing so click Turn On File and Printer Sharing! Click Next.

8.

Click Next.

9.

Wait.

10.

Now you have options! To put each computer on the same network, they need the same information. so all you have to do is to create a Network Setup disk (requires a Floppy Disc). If you don't have a Floppy Drive or the Floppy Drive is dead, just select 'Just finish the wizard' and click Next. On the other computers you want to set up just repeat from the beginning but remember to USE A DIFFERENT COMPUTER NAME BUT THE SAME WORKGROUP NAME!!!

Give yourself a pat on the back. You've just set up a network.

Sharing Folders

We will now choose which folders, we would want to share over the network. As a rule DO NOT SHARE THE ROOT OF A DRIVE (i.e. Do not share C: or D: etc.) I would prefer like creating a folder called Shared Stuff in your Documents and using that as a shared folder over the network, or you can use the Shared Documents Folder as a Share Folder as well!

In this example, we will use the 'Downloads' folder located in the C: Drive as a shared folder for the computer.

Right-click the folder, and then click properties and then the Sharing Tab.

Do one of the following:

If the Share this folder on the network check box is available, select the check box.

If the Share this folder on the network check box is not available, this computer is not on a network. If you would like to set up a home or small office network, click the Network Setup Wizard link and follow the instructions to turn on file sharing. Once file sharing is enabled, begin this procedure again. (Do not understand how to use the Network Setup Wizard? See the first part!)

To allow complete access (i.e. Allow other users to delete files) to the contents of your shared drive or folder, select the Allow network users to change my files check box. However I recommend not to tick this box.

To change the name of your folder on the network, in the Share name text box, type a new name for your folder. This will not change the name of the folder on your computer.

Now the shared folder is now accessible through the <INSERT NAME HERE> network! Pat yourself on the back and have a bottle of beer! :D

Remote Desktop

So now you can create a network and also share folders through the network, why not use remote desktop as well?

THINGS REQUIRED BEFORE STARTING:

You NEED to have a user account on the other computer as well before you can gain access to the other computer.

Right now to the steps:

1.

Click 'Start', then 'All Programs', then 'Accessories', and find Remote

Desktop Connection (Could be in

Communication folder or in the main accessories area)

2.

Type the Computer Name of the Computer you want to access.

It's the full computer name which is found in the System Properties (Start, Right Click My Computer, select Properties and then click the Computer Name Tab) not on your OWN computer! ON THE COMPUTER YOU WISH TO ACCESS!

3.

A Login box should pop up, type your username and password into the box

and select OK

Bravo! You now have remote desktop! Note you can just drag and drop stuff from Computer you wish to access to the computer you are on! You have to dump the stuff in the shared folder!

Troubleshooting

Q.

I can't gain access to the folder on the network!/Error message saying it's unavailable.

A.

Check your Firewall properties. For Zonealarm I would put an IP address range to the trusted zone so that the these IP address will not be blocked.

Click the Firewall Sidetab and the Zones Tab and then click Add IP range.

I think you would add these values in the box and then click OK. Then click apply to save the changes.

Repeat for each computer on the network and everything should now work.