easy way to network

[Datman]

New to forum,:wave:

I want to network a laptop to a older desktop so I can access the hard drives in the desktop.

Both have Ethernet,firewire and usb ports.

How can I do this. I appreciate any help you may have

Bill

[Xircom]

Hi

1. Both Computer and Laptop need a 10/100 LAN Adaptor Port
2. Get a CAt5 Cross Over Cable or use a small Hub
3. Both Computer / Laptop need to have different Names
4. Workgroup nmae need to match
5. Set TCPIP to the following

Computer - 192.168.10.1
255.255.255.0

Laptop - 192.168.10.2
255.255.255.0

Now connect the two using the cross over cable or the router. make sure that the LAN Network Connection is enabled. now they should be able to ping each other. Test this by

command prompt ping 192.168.10.2 from the computer this pings the laptop address and visa versa

that the basic..

Regards

[AlwaysUp]

One clarification, if I might. If either the router or hub solution is used, you do not want crossover cabling, but straight through patch cable.

[AlwaysUp]

One suggestion if you are going to go with a router is to consider going wireless. Especially since you have a laptop for mobility, right? If you are interested I have set up a 802.11g wireless system for myself that I like so much that I highly recommend. So much so in fact I became a reseller.

[Datman]

well I got the TCPIP done, w2k was easy xp took some time. I think that part is right because when cable is plugged in both computers have icons saying network connection is made.

Thats all I can do I don't know how to set up the network. Closer but still lost



Bill

[Snurfen]

Next step is to make the hard discs on each machine "shared".

This document refers only to XP but w2k is virtually identical.

Useful webpage for network sharing (http://courses.help.com/sessions/lessons/viewLesson.jsp?lessonId=1044&pageNumber=3&courseSessionId=2101)

The actual document discusses wireless networking, but the page listed is about sharing files/devices. Applies whatever network you are using.

Cheers.

[Datman]

snurfen I checked that link out seemed to be about wireless. I'm setting a network using a crossover cable. I tried setting the folders to sharing , must be something else

[Snurfen]

Hi Datamn, yes, that article was about wireless, but it was only for the "sharing" bit!

Are all the steps in Xircom's posts working ok?

[LeoMan319]

couldyou some how also share internet also?

[Datman]

thanks you guys. I just can't get it. I did see that some of the info on sharing was at least part of what I need to know.

In xp there is a network set up wizard but in w2k there is only make a network connection icon.

maybe I can take them both to a shop and have them do it?