Wireless Network - File Sharing

Hi.

I'm wondering how I go about sharing files between computers?

Current set up is broadband cable connected MOdem and wireless router.

Then there's a desktop running XP Pro, and also recently added a Vista Home Basic Laptop.

For the time being I'm just looking to transfer some files over to the laptop. But would also like to be able to perhaps have it set up so each machine can access the other "on demand".

I'm not sure what is and isn't possible here or if I need to add any software? I'd assume there's something built into XP and Vista that should allow this but I've zero experience in doing it.

Help much appreciated.

MO

 

What you are trying to achieve is nothing unusual and is possible without the need to purchase any additional software. I do it on Linux machines running Samba but have done on MS as well. I'm hoping someone with more MS knowledge will reply with easier to follow instructions than I can provide. Whether, from a security point of view, it's a good idea to have file sharing on a laptop connected to a WiFi running XP or Vista is another debate. I'm not sure if your WiFi is secured.

 

It has to be on the same work workgroup etc, so while the possibility of hacks is there it is unlikely. As longs as your network is secured via WPA PSK minimum you should be fine security wise.

 

This is the bit I was concerned about. From a previous thread I got the impression that MO uses unsecured WiFi.

 

MOs wi-fi is secured using WPA unless he has overided the defualt setting on his router.......

 

what router is it? Most routers come unsecured though the wizzards easily allow you to setup WPA. Most the ones you get from BT come with the useless 64-BIT WEP which is only slightly better than nothing but if anything just causes a false sense of security.

 

Its this one

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/97222
A buffalo and I believe he set it up using their AOSS facility which automatically sets up WPA

 

Hi MO,

Take a look at this link:-

http://www.wellesley.edu/Computing/FileSharing/Windows/win2kxp.html

MOre (sorry) here:-

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040

HTH.

 

Jesus.

How to set up file sharing on a mac.

In system preferences on sharing, tick the tick box to share files.

 

I recommend www.tomsguide.com and www.smallnetbuilder.com for guides. It can seem a bit mysterious because the stuff about workgroups being the same is a bit buried, plus all the machines on the net don't realise what is happening straight away, but it's basically simple.

Another independent alternative is to tell iTunes to make its library visible to others on the home net, if your home people are habitual users.

 

As others have said, it's a little daunting at first but in reality rather straightforward to set up.

If there's a bunch of big files that need transferring then I would suggest you connect the laptop to the router with a cable. This will be much quicker than a WiFi connection.

Once you have your network established then have a look at Microsoft SyncToy. It's a free utility that I use to keep mirror-imaged folders in sync on my laptop and desktop PC.

Good luck

 

Thanks for that backing up my laptop to my home pc has been on my list of jobs to do for ages but whenever I tried to use the utility that comes with windows but could never get it to work properly.
This looks a lot simpler

 

How are things going, Mo? If it's just a matter of transferring things between laptops, one can use a crossover ethernet cable and do it directly, but perhaps you have set up something by now that others can learn from?