[Nick-YF19]

I would highly recommend changing the wireless security section to enabling WPA security instead of the current WEP using only 40/64 bit security. 40 bit WEP is easy to crack. The not much more secure 128 bit WEP only takes a few minutes to crack with current tools available online. Obviously, 40 bit WEP would take even less. The hex key for 128 bit WEP is an unsightly and hard to remember 26 character key. Overall, WEP is harder to set up and is not hard to break into.

WPA is far more secure and the passwords are just like any other normal password. No 40 or 128 bit stuff or hex keys or plain text. Any wireless equipment made since 2003 should have the ability to use WPA. There are 2 types of WPA, but they both work the same way and you can use the same password for them. There's WPA and WPA2. While WPA2 is more secure, using plain WPA will be far better than using WEP.

Vista should already have support for WPA and WPA2. XP should be able to support WPA, although you want to make sure you have Service Pack 2. SP2 greatly improves the wireless features of XP. Make sure you have all of the latest updates, as some of them do address security issues with wireless security. For some reason, a few don't show in automatic updates. WPA2 support and a security update for WPA2. Vista should already have the necessary requirements for WPA.

Once you have those, go to your router's wireless security and look for WPA Personal or WPA PSK. They both mean the same thing. Usually, you will also get to select the type of WPA to be used. For ease of use, I'd pick WPA or WPA/WPA2. If you see another option called WPA Enterprise, don't pick it. It's for businesses and you have to have a computer dedicated to handing out passwords. All you have to do then is enter a password that is at least 8 characters long. It can be 8,9,10 or however long you want it to be. Just like any normal password, upper and lower case matters. Save your settings and that is that.

Here's an article on becoming WPA2 compliant. It explains how to check to see if your router and wireless cards are WPA2 compliant. Most equipment is already WPA compliant, but for maximum security, you want WPA2.

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File and Print Share Setup
Windows XP

File Share

Important Notes to read before configuring the File share portion of your Network

1. You can set file and folder permissions only on drives formatted to use NTFS.
2. To change permissions you must be the owner, or have been granted permission to do so by the owner. (owner referring to Administrator account)
3. Groups or users granted Full Control for a folder can delete files and subfolders within that folder regardless of the permissions protecting the files and subfolders.
4. The Sharing option is not available for the Documents and Settings, Program Files, and Windows system folders. In addition, you cannot share folders in other users’ profiles.
5. People from outside your Network can access your shared resources, if you do not have Windows SP2 and also a Firewall (either Windows or a Third Party Vendor).

Follow these steps to Install and correctly setup FILE sharing on your Network.

1. Close out all applications and running programs (including Third party Firewalls, Security Suites, and Virus Detectors)
2. Hold down the “Windows” key on the keyboard, and then press the “R” key on the keyboard. This opens the RUN Command.
3. Type in: ncpa.cpl :and press the OK button. This opens the Network Connections Window.

4. Locate your Connection Type (Ethernet) and right click on to select PROPERTIES.
5. Click on the GENERAL tab.

6. Click the INSTALL button. To launch the “Select Network Component Type” window.

7. Click the ADD button. To launch the “Select Network Service” window.

8. Highlight the “File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks” and click the OK button
9. You should now be back at the “Local Area Connection Properties” window.
..........9A. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click the "Properties" button.
..........9B. Click the General tab, and then click Advanced.
..........9C. Click the WINS tab.
..........9D. Under NetBIOS setting, click "Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP", and then click OK two times.
..........9E. Click Close to close the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box.
10. You should now be back to the “Network Connections” window.
11. Close this window.
12. Hold down the “Windows” key on the keyboard, and then press the “R” key on the keyboard. This opens the RUN Command
13. Type in: netsetup.cpl :and press the OK button. This opens the Network Setup Wizard.
14. When the Network setup wizard appears click "Next"

15. When the second page appears click "Next"

16. When the third Page appears select the "Other" bubble and click "Next”

17. When the fourth page appears select the bubble "This computer connects directly or through a network Hub. Other computer on my network also connect to the internet directly or through a hub."

18. When the fifth page appears under "Computer description" type in Location, and click "next"

19. When the sixth Page appears under "workgroupe name" type in:
<lastname>group :< >insert your last name followed by group and click
"next".

20. When the seventh page appears select the "Turn on File and Print Sharing" Bubble and click "next".

21. The next Screen will verify all the settings you have made. Just Click NEXT.

22. You will get a screen with Files moving back and forth like this.

23. When the warning comes up asking if you’re sure you want to turn on file and print sharing just select "yes
24. When the next page appears select the bubble for "Just finish the wizard" and click on "Next"

25. When the next screen appears just select "Finish"
26. Click YES when it asks if you want to reboot your computer
27. After Rebooting, again close out all applications and running programs (including Third party Firewalls, Security Suites, and Virus Detectors).
28. Right Click on the START bar and select EXPLORE to open windows explorer.
29. Click on the MY DOCUMENTS link.

30. Select the folder you want to Share
31. Click the FOLDER icon at the top

32. And the sidebar changes like this.

33. In the File and Folder Tasks Menu (to the Left), click on “Share this Folder”

34. In the Folder Properties dialog box select the bubble “Share this Folder” to share the folder with other users on your network
35. To change the name of the folder on the network, type a new name for the folder in the “Share Name” text box. This will not change the name of the folder on your computer.
36. Click the APPLY and OK button
37. Right Click on the Same Folder again and select Properties, then click on the SECURITY tab.

38. To change or remove permissions from an existing group or user, click the name of the group or user and do one of the following:
To allow or deny a permission, in the “Permissions for”...box, select the “Allow” or “Deny”check box.
To remove the group or user from the “Group or Usernames” box, click “Remove”.
39. To set permissions for a group or user that does not appear in the Group or user names box, click Add. Type the name of the group or user you want to set permissions for and then click OK

40. Click the Ok button when Done
..........40A. Hold down the “Windows” key on the keyboard, and then press the “R” key on the keyboard. This opens the RUN Command
..........40B. Type in: services.msc :and press the OK button. This opens the Local Services Window.
..........40C. In the right pane, right-click "Computer Browser", and then select "Properties".
..........40D. In this dialogue box you want to change the Startup Type to "Automatic" and then click the START button inside the window.
..........40E. Click the Apply button and then the OK button.
..........40F. Close out the Local Service Window
41. Close out all windows and Restart the Computer.
42. Perform these same steps (1 through 40) on Desktops B, C, and Laptop A. Then continue on to with Step 43.
43. Aftter completing Step 42 Return to Desktop A and Close out all applications and running programs (including Third party Firewalls, Security Suites, and Virus Detectors)
44. Now go to Desktop B, C and Laptop A and Close out all applications and running programs (including Third party Firewalls, Security Suites, and Virus Detectors)
45. Return to Desktop A and Right Click on the START bar and select EXPLORE to open windows explorer.
46. Click on the MY DOCUMENTS link.
47. In the Left Folder Pane scroll down near the Bottom and Click on MY NETWORK PLACES.
48. Right click on your shared folder and Select Copy
49. Close out the window and navigate to an open area on your desktop and right click to select “Paste Shortcut”. Now you can access your shared Folder easily.
50. If the Folder that you selected to share is not there then Press F5 to refresh the list. If the folder still does not show up, Click the Folder Button on the top Row.
51. On the Left Pane again, Click on the “View Workgroup Computers” link.
52. If you can see the other computers then Click on them and navigate to your shared folder and follow step 48 through 49 for setting up access to them.
53. If you still cannot see them then, click on TOOLS at the very top and select “Map Network drive”
54. In the “Folder:” box type in the following \\computername\sharedfoldername. Where computername is the name of the computer and sharedfoldername is the name of the shared folder.
55. Click the “Finish” button. This should open the Shared folder. If it does then follow step 48 through 49 for setting up access, to them.
56. If it does not then Close out all windows and repeat steps 45 through 55 on Desktops B, C, and Laptop A.
57. If you are still unable to share or see other computers on your network then please submit a post in the forum for “Cannot access Network Computers”
58. If you can, then move on to the next section for Enabling Printer Sharing.

yea so on step 16, i don't get an option to click "Other." I get told that my "Local Area Connection 2 Intel® Pro/100 VE Network Connection" isn't connected. So what do i do?

[deziballer]

File and Print Share Setup
Windows XP

File Share

Important Notes to read before configuring the File share portion of your Network

1. You can set file and folder permissions only on drives formatted to use NTFS.
2. To change permissions you must be the owner, or have been granted permission to do so by the owner. (owner referring to Administrator account)
3. Groups or users granted Full Control for a folder can delete files and subfolders within that folder regardless of the permissions protecting the files and subfolders.
4. The Sharing option is not available for the Documents and Settings, Program Files, and Windows system folders. In addition, you cannot share folders in other users’ profiles.
5. People from outside your Network can access your shared resources, if you do not have Windows SP2 and also a Firewall (either Windows or a Third Party Vendor).

Follow these steps to Install and correctly setup FILE sharing on your Network.

1. Close out all applications and running programs (including Third party Firewalls, Security Suites, and Virus Detectors)
2. Hold down the “Windows” key on the keyboard, and then press the “R” key on the keyboard. This opens the RUN Command.
3. Type in: ncpa.cpl :and press the OK button. This opens the Network Connections Window.

4. Locate your Connection Type (Ethernet) and right click on to select PROPERTIES.
5. Click on the GENERAL tab.

6. Click the INSTALL button. To launch the “Select Network Component Type” window.

7. Click the ADD button. To launch the “Select Network Service” window.

8. Highlight the “File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks” and click the OK button
9. You should now be back at the “Local Area Connection Properties” window.
..........9A. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click the "Properties" button.
..........9B. Click the General tab, and then click Advanced.
..........9C. Click the WINS tab.
..........9D. Under NetBIOS setting, click "Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP", and then click OK two times.
..........9E. Click Close to close the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box.
10. You should now be back to the “Network Connections” window.
11. Close this window.
12. Hold down the “Windows” key on the keyboard, and then press the “R” key on the keyboard. This opens the RUN Command
13. Type in: netsetup.cpl :and press the OK button. This opens the Network Setup Wizard.
14. When the Network setup wizard appears click "Next"

15. When the second page appears click "Next"

16. When the third Page appears select the "Other" bubble and click "Next”

17. When the fourth page appears select the bubble "This computer connects directly or through a network Hub. Other computer on my network also connect to the internet directly or through a hub."

18. When the fifth page appears under "Computer description" type in Location, and click "next"

19. When the sixth Page appears under "workgroupe name" type in:
<lastname>group :< >insert your last name followed by group and click
"next".

20. When the seventh page appears select the "Turn on File and Print Sharing" Bubble and click "next".

21. The next Screen will verify all the settings you have made. Just Click NEXT.

22. You will get a screen with Files moving back and forth like this.

23. When the warning comes up asking if you’re sure you want to turn on file and print sharing just select "yes
24. When the next page appears select the bubble for "Just finish the wizard" and click on "Next"

25. When the next screen appears just select "Finish"
26. Click YES when it asks if you want to reboot your computer
27. After Rebooting, again close out all applications and running programs (including Third party Firewalls, Security Suites, and Virus Detectors).
28. Right Click on the START bar and select EXPLORE to open windows explorer.
29. Click on the MY DOCUMENTS link.

30. Select the folder you want to Share
31. Click the FOLDER icon at the top

32. And the sidebar changes like this.

33. In the File and Folder Tasks Menu (to the Left), click on “Share this Folder”

34. In the Folder Properties dialog box select the bubble “Share this Folder” to share the folder with other users on your network
35. To change the name of the folder on the network, type a new name for the folder in the “Share Name” text box. This will not change the name of the folder on your computer.
36. Click the APPLY and OK button
37. Right Click on the Same Folder again and select Properties, then click on the SECURITY tab.

38. To change or remove permissions from an existing group or user, click the name of the group or user and do one of the following:
To allow or deny a permission, in the “Permissions for”...box, select the “Allow” or “Deny”check box.
To remove the group or user from the “Group or Usernames” box, click “Remove”.
39. To set permissions for a group or user that does not appear in the Group or user names box, click Add. Type the name of the group or user you want to set permissions for and then click OK

40. Click the Ok button when Done
..........40A. Hold down the “Windows” key on the keyboard, and then press the “R” key on the keyboard. This opens the RUN Command
..........40B. Type in: services.msc :and press the OK button. This opens the Local Services Window.
..........40C. In the right pane, right-click "Computer Browser", and then select "Properties".
..........40D. In this dialogue box you want to change the Startup Type to "Automatic" and then click the START button inside the window.
..........40E. Click the Apply button and then the OK button.
..........40F. Close out the Local Service Window
41. Close out all windows and Restart the Computer.
42. Perform these same steps (1 through 40) on Desktops B, C, and Laptop A. Then continue on to with Step 43.
43. Aftter completing Step 42 Return to Desktop A and Close out all applications and running programs (including Third party Firewalls, Security Suites, and Virus Detectors)
44. Now go to Desktop B, C and Laptop A and Close out all applications and running programs (including Third party Firewalls, Security Suites, and Virus Detectors)
45. Return to Desktop A and Right Click on the START bar and select EXPLORE to open windows explorer.
46. Click on the MY DOCUMENTS link.
47. In the Left Folder Pane scroll down near the Bottom and Click on MY NETWORK PLACES.
48. Right click on your shared folder and Select Copy
49. Close out the window and navigate to an open area on your desktop and right click to select “Paste Shortcut”. Now you can access your shared Folder easily.
50. If the Folder that you selected to share is not there then Press F5 to refresh the list. If the folder still does not show up, Click the Folder Button on the top Row.
51. On the Left Pane again, Click on the “View Workgroup Computers” link.
52. If you can see the other computers then Click on them and navigate to your shared folder and follow step 48 through 49 for setting up access to them.
53. If you still cannot see them then, click on TOOLS at the very top and select “Map Network drive”
54. In the “Folder:” box type in the following \\computername\sharedfoldername. Where computername is the name of the computer and sharedfoldername is the name of the shared folder.
55. Click the “Finish” button. This should open the Shared folder. If it does then follow step 48 through 49 for setting up access, to them.
56. If it does not then Close out all windows and repeat steps 45 through 55 on Desktops B, C, and Laptop A.
57. If you are still unable to share or see other computers on your network then please submit a post in the forum for “Cannot access Network Computers”
58. If you can, then move on to the next section for Enabling Printer Sharing.

yea so on step 16, i don't get an option to click "Other." I get told that my "Local Area Connection 2 Intel® Pro/100 VE Network Connection" isn't connected. So what do i do?

[chris006]

Help No Wireless Connectivity after I installed AVG update. Good signal but no connection? But windows updates still works and updates?