How can I link computers together for networking?

Question

In our office we use three computers for information. The office is "network ready" from what I understand. On two different occasions someone has come to the office to attempt to link our computers, none successful. I know one computer has Vista, the other two windows, not sure what year, not XP. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP! thank you in advance!

Answer 1

use an Ethernet cable to connect pc to pc

define ips in both machines using network card properties

in run of one machine type the ip of the other one this way

\\x*x.x*x.x*x.x*x

if both has a wifi you can set an ad-hoc network

Answer 2

i think you have to buy a wireless internet provider. thats what my dad got he got someing like Netgear.it works with 3 laptops and a desktop comp.hope it helps you.also follow instructions =).

Answer 3

If you have pre-XP windows it is still possible.  If you can update your question with details of the versions of Windows on the other 2 machines it would help us get you the correct instructions.

Answer 4

1) First ensure that your office has a broadband interent connection.  I would think any office would have this already.

2) Purchase a Router and install it between the Cable/DSL modem and the PCs

3) Connect each PC to the router (this could be wired cat5e or Wirelessly).

Done.  All PCs will now be on the same network and share the internet connection.

Answer 5

You will want a router that is capable of both hardwire and wireless capability, if you want each computer to be able to access the internet independently, weather the first computer/server is on or not.

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1. Use the appropriate cable to connect the incoming ISP signal to the modem. For dial-up you’ll need twisted pair. For cable you’ll need regular Ethernet cable.

2. Use a short regular Ethernet cable to connect the modem to the regular ROUTER. If you have computers that have “wireless” capability, then you do not need to go on to 3. and 4.  

You can also purchase a type of router that has BOTH wired and wireless capability, depending on the need of the kind of computers you have.

3. For NON-wireless Use a short regular Ethernet cable to connect the router to computer1.

4. For NON-wireless Use a bit longer additional Ethernet cable to connect the router to

computer 2.

Look on the back of computer1 to see what kind of ports you have available. Look for a port that looks the same as phone but is a bit LARGER in which you plug in your end RJ45 CONNECTOR.

FOR ALL COMPUTERS TO BE ABLE TO SHARE FILES:

To share files you will need to be using the SAME File System like FAT or NTFS all computers for your network.  Windows 2000, WinXP and WinVista all have NTFS by default.

To open your computer over the network for specific users to access.

1. Go to START > Control Panel > Windows Firewall >

Tab General select ON >

then on tab EXCEPTIONS > ALLOW file and print sharing on port 80.

2. All users should be Networked to join the same WORKGROUP with exact name spelling

Example: OURGROUPNAME

3. Then the computer(s) that want to share files

will map their drives for the other computers to access.

each computer will get a different mapped drive letter

like Z, Y, X etc.

(*)How to Map your drive is at link below.

4.  Also in MyNetwork Neighborhood you need to run the wizard, on each computer, and have each computer’s name available.  After running the wizard on computer 1, you will need a source to copy the information over

such as a floppy disk, or a removable flash drive, to transfer the information to the other computers.

5. Then on each computer, in Network Neighborhood

create a folder named SHARED DOCS

and then for every file you want to share

RIGHT-click/drag/copy the file into the Shared Docs folder

OR

IF you want to share the entire drive C on the PC (NOT recommended)

or other sub folder (recommended)

right click that folder > select Sharing and Security>

share this folder

6.  After file sharing is configured on both computers you should be able to access files easily.

The path I use to view files on my other computer is

Right Click START > left Click Explore >

scroll down to MyNetwork Neighborhood > and open the Workgroup folder >

find the mapped drive to the other computer and double click >

wait a few seconds and it will display all of the shared files on the other computer.

*For additional information and instructions

go to

Right click START > left click EXPLORE >

Go to Explore toolbar click HELP

then INDEX > type in Networking

^j^