[Wrinkly Pete]

Hi,
Anyone out there on Tinterweb can assist please?

I've NO experience of home networking so be gentle with me!

I have 2 PCs I'd like to link in a home network, possibly a third at a later date.

LAPTOP (Vista) PC

Atheros AR5007EG Wireless Network adapter
AND
Realtek RTL8101E Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIC(NDIS 6.0)
AND
LAN socket

DESKTOP (XP) PC

1394 Net Adapter
AND
Atheros AR8121/AR8113/AR8114 PCI-E Ethernet controller
AND
Realtek RTL8187 Wireless 802.11b/g
54 mbps USB 2.0 network adapter
AND
LAN socket

I have an o2 Wireless broadband router which already links both PCs to the Internet.

Which method, based upon the 2 PCs available, would be EASIEST for me to use, to set up a Home Network, Please?

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Hey Wrinkly Pete,

What exactly do you mean by "method"? Do you mean which Network Interface Card (NIC) to use? If so, then that's simple: which ever combination you've already got setup Since you say they're already connected to the Internet, then it's simply a matter of setting up file sharing -- I assume you would like to share files / printers between the two machines? If they're already sharing an Internet connection via the router, then you're actually already in a home network setup; you just need to enable file sharing, which I can help you with.

Or maybe I've misinterpreted your question, in which case please feel free to correct me.
- Dan

[Dan]

Hey Wrinkly Pete,

What exactly do you mean by "method"? Do you mean which Network Interface Card (NIC) to use? If so, then that's simple: which ever combination you've already got setup Since you say they're already connected to the Internet, then it's simply a matter of setting up file sharing -- I assume you would like to share files / printers between the two machines? If they're already sharing an Internet connection via the router, then you're actually already in a home network setup; you just need to enable file sharing, which I can help you with.

Or maybe I've misinterpreted your question, in which case please feel free to correct me.
- Dan

[Wrinkly Pete]

Hi Dan,

Please excuse my total ignorance, and (probable) wrong use of terminology.
I have a laptop PC, which uses Vista, and a desktop PC, which uses XP.
Independently (at present) they both have access to the Internet.
Neither PC knows about the other one i.e. they are "stand alone"
I wanted to be able to make contact between the laptop and the desktop in some way, hence why I listed which technology each PC has already installed.

It was a question of: are the 2 PCs capable of recognising and contacting one another to transfer files etc, (bearing in mind 2 different operating systems), and if so, which of the technologies they already have would be best to use to create this "network".

Is wireless possible/best/easiest to configure, or would I be better using LAN?
If wireless is easier, do both PCs share a common (built in) technology which both will recognise? i.e. can they both "speak the same language" to one another?

Could they both share a printer with any method of networking I end up using?

And finally, I suppose the $64,000 question is..... will it be easy enough for a total ignoramus such as myself to set up (using, or not using, the built in wizards for example). Does the XP wizard talk the same language as the Vista wizard?

Bear in mind, I was UNABLE to transfer documents and settings with the "easy transfer" Belkin cable - that caused the worse PC crash I've ever had in 8 years of PC ownership, and cost me ££'s to get a tech guy to sort out. [I'd NEVER use another Belkin product as long as I live].

I hope Dan, that I have explained better, what I'm trying to ask?

[Dan]

I hope Dan, that I have explained better, what I'm trying to ask?

You most certainly have

It was a question of: are the 2 PCs capable of recognising and contacting one another to transfer files etc, (bearing in mind 2 different operating systems)

Both Windows XP and Vista are compatible, and you should have no issues communicating between the two (in theory ).

Is wireless possible/best/easiest to configure, or would I be better using LAN?
If wireless is easier, do both PCs share a common (built in) technology which both will recognise? i.e. can they both "speak the same language" to one another?

It doesn't really matter whether you use wireless or wired; which ever is most convenient for you, as it won't impact on your file sharing (even if you switch between the two).

Could they both share a printer with any method of networking I end up using?

Yep

And finally, I suppose the $64,000 question is..... will it be easy enough for a total ignoramus such as myself to set up (using, or not using, the built in wizards for example). Does the XP wizard talk the same language as the Vista wizard?

If you can follow step-by-step instructions, then we'll have no problems getting your network up and running.

First thing first, let's start on your XP computer. Please run the Network Setup Wizard. The link will take you step-by-step through the process; just make sure you Turn on file and printer sharing at step 12 If you manage to run the setup wizard to completion, then let's try to share a folder. Navigate to a file/folder you would like to share; right-click on the file/folder and select Sharing and security --> Select the Sharing tab, and then enable (check) the box beside Share this folder on the network and Allow network users to change my files and then press Apply, followed by OK. The folder should now have a hand holding the folder icon; does it?

If so, on the Vista machine, please do the following:

• Press Start
• In the Start Search field type network and select Network and Sharing Center
• In the new window, under the Sharing and Discovery section, change the following to ON:
  Network Discovery
  File sharing
  Printer sharing

Now, open up Network Places (on either machine) -- can you see the other machine listed there?

Let me know how you're going so far.
- Dan

[Wrinkly Pete]

Dan,
Sorry for delay in replying. Other PC problem(s) to deal with!
I'm putting my network plans on hold for now.
I've noted your instructions, and will attempt in due course. Thanks.

[Dan]

No problem Pete; thanks for letting me know.