Need To Setup A Shared Network Drive Between 4 Pcs, 2 different verisons of vista and windows xp Options

[smith]

I have four computers that need to share a network drive....I basically want to make backups for all important information contained on all the computers and free up disk space the two lap tops. I have never tried to setup a network drive before so if some one could walk me through it would be greatly appreciated.


Desktop one

Custom built
Quad Core Q6600
2 gig ram
Windows Vista Home Premium

Desktop two

Dell Dimension 840
Pentium 4 3.20 ghz
1 gig ram
Windows XP Home Edition

Laptop one

Dell Inspiron 1720
Core Dou T 5450
3 gig ram
Windows Vista Home Premium

Laptop two

Sony Vaio VGN-AR520E
Core Dou T 7100
4 gig ram
Windows Vista Ultimate

Modem/ISP

Verizon Fios
ACTIONTEC MI424-WR REV. C
Desktop one, and both laptops are wireless connections if that makes a difference. Hopefully this covers all information needed if there is more needed please let me know.

[Surfer]

howdy smith
you have a router? what's the distance between the desktop computers? wireless or wired network adapters in the desktops?

[smith]

The actiontec is the modem/router.....desktop one, and both laptops are wireless, everything is in same house and has a great signal with the modem and router. Before i forget, all four computers do have internet access and are up and running. I am just unsure as how to get xp to show the network drive that is on the vista computer. One desktop is is the basement, and other is on the first floor. The laptops are used all over the house as you can imagine. According to the fios people i do not need a router because the modem has on built in to it.

This post has been edited by smith: Oct 8 2008, 07:28 PM

[Surfer]

try this:

right click the my computer icon on the desktop.
from the menu click Properties
click the Computer Name tab
click the Change button
that opens the Computer Name Changes box
type a name for the computer name (can be anything you like)
click Workgroup so the radio button has a tic
type a name for your workgroup (can be anything you like)
click OK, click Apply, click OK
do the same for both computers.
the computer name must be different for each computer.
the workgroup name must be the same for each computer.


next is to make sure file and printer sharing is installed in network properties.
right click My Network Places
click Properties
right click Local Area Connection
click Properties
under This connection uses the following items: see if File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is listed
if not listed click the Install button, click once on Service, click the add button, click once on File and Printer Sharing, Click the OK button and the next OK button. close Network Connections.

next is to share a folder.
right click on the folder you want to share
click Sharing and Security.. from the menu
You'll probably get a warning about the dangers of sharing
click the warning away.
check the Share this folder on the network box
then check the Allow users to change my files box so files can be transfered into the folder.
do the same for the folders y'all want to share on both computers.

next is to get access to the shared folders
open My Network Places
double click Add Network Place
click the Next button
single click
Choose another network location
Specify the addressof a web site, network location, or FTP site
Click Next button
type \\THE NAME OF THE COMPUTER\NAME OF THE NETWORK SHARE
click the Next button
if everything is setup correctly you'll have access to the network share.

for example i have workgroup named "BILL', a computer named "bad", and a computer named "good" with a share on computer "bad" named "john" that i want to access from computer named "good".
the syntax for computer named good will be \\bad\john

[smith]

thank you for your help surfer, will try to get this done tonight....at work right now. But hopefully all will go well. one question thou, is that in vista or xp, I have two different operating systems going can i share between both desktops as well?

[Surfer]

sometimes vista>xp can be a bit difficult but we'll get thru it.

[smith]

hey surfer,

Thank you for your help. I was able to get desktop one and laptop one to work, but was kind of late so I didn't mess around with desktop two or laptop two. Now I can move my files and restore laptop one, and work from there. Thank you so much, will let you know how the networking in the windows xp goes, hopefully it won't be too hard . Thanks again.

John



This post has been edited by smith: Oct 9 2008, 11:35 PM