File and printer sharing network?

Question

I'm trying to set up a home network using my vista computer as the "main computer" with the hardwired connection and have the other 3 computers connected wirelessly. I have no idea what to do. I want to be able to share files and print off of the computers that don't have printers hooked up to them wirelessly. How do I do this in vista?? the other 3 computers are xp

Answer 1

Depending on what type of router you have, you may or may not be able to set up a network for sharing files and/or printers. Sharing files is much more difficult than sharing a printer because most routers do not allow this communication between computers. This safety feature prevents a computer virus from spreading throughout the network. Only specially equipped routers (not wireless) can allow computers to share files with eachother.  

If you want to share a central printer, you will have to make sure that the printer you have is networking compatible. Not just any printer can be shared in a network, that printer has to have a seperate Ethernet connection port for connection to other computers. The standard connection that is used for connecting two computers uses two types of printer compatible cables; a high speed USB cable, and an Ethernet cable. The USB cable connects the printer to the computer that it is closest to, and the Ethernet cable goes to the other computer. The Ethernet cable plugs into the other computer using a broadband router as the connection point between Ethernet and the other computer. Because of this, the router must be closest to the computer that is using the Ethernet cable to connect to the printer. Otherwise, the computer that you want to connect with the Ethernet cable must have an Ethernet hub that adapts the Ethernet cable socket into a standard modem socket that the computer has.

Answer 2

ey dumas$

go to network connections

start a network

install the printer on the other computers

but install them throught the network

Answer 3

I would start here, it's got all the details, File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/libra...