How to network two computers??

[Ashton Crusher]

I have two computers that currently are sharing a networked printer.
The printer and the two computers are connected to a wireless router.
What would I have to do to actually create a "network" for the two
computers so each can see the others disk drives so I can copy files
back and forth and do a backup of the "little" computers hard drive to
the "big" computer?

 

[Paul]

I have two computers that currently are sharing a networked printer.
The printer and the two computers are connected to a wireless router.
What would I have to do to actually create a "network" for the two
computers so each can see the others disk drives so I can copy files
back and forth and do a backup of the "little" computers hard drive to
the "big" computer?

LAN
WAN ----- wireless_router ----- printer
\ \
\ \----- computer #1
\----- computer #2

So then, the two computers are on a wireless subnet, and the printer
is connected via Ethernet ? Or are all three wireless ?

There's gotta be a trick here, right ???

To make it more interesting, give IP addresses for the
three devices. 192.168.2.39 , 10.0.0.23 or whatever, for
each LAN side device.

Paul

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Ashton Crusher:

I have two computers that currently are sharing a networked printer.
The printer and the two computers are connected to a wireless router.
What would I have to do to actually create a "network" for the two
computers so each can see the others disk drives so I can copy files
back and forth and do a backup of the "little" computers hard drive to
the "big" computer?

I suspect the short answer is that you need to set up "Shares" on each
computer for the drives or directories you want visible on the other
computers.

Right-click one of the drives or folders and start with "Share With".

I don't want to try to get more specific because I suspect my Win 7
system is atypical: it only shows "Advanced Sharing"... but it seems
pretty intuitive to me, so give it a try.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I have two computers that currently are sharing a networked printer.
The printer and the two computers are connected to a wireless router.
What would I have to do to actually create a "network" for the two
computers so each can see the others disk drives so I can copy files
back and forth and do a backup of the "little" computers hard drive to
the "big" computer?

You already have a network. Now you have to make it operational.

Control Panel -> Network and Internet - then explore

I don't want to write enough here to explain it all[1], so you should
get a book on what to do with the above. Or else Google for
instructions.

I know this much: if your two computers aren't both Windows 7 or 8,
avoid the HomeGroup and set it up as a workgroup. HomeGroups don't work
in earlier versions of Windows.

[1] Besides, I don't think I *can* write a coherent explanation

 

[pjp]

I have two computers that currently are sharing a networked printer.
The printer and the two computers are connected to a wireless router.
What would I have to do to actually create a "network" for the two
computers so each can see the others disk drives so I can copy files
back and forth and do a backup of the "little" computers hard drive to
the "big" computer?

Basically you have to "Share" folders on the various pc's. Note password
protection and permissions can get in the way but it sounds like for you
simply insure the Share is setup so "Everyone" can access it. You decide
if the share is just readable or can a remote user change things.

Make a dummy folder and right click it and choose Share should get you
going. Do this on both pcs one after the other. Then open "My Network
Places" and find the "Workgroup" link and open that. That should display
the two pcs and if you click on the "other" one it should show you the
share and if you click on that it should show you the contents of the
shared folder.

Note : on the dialog that shows the shares you can right click on a
share and map it to a local drive letter, e.g. "N". If you do that when
you open My Computer it'll show a drive N that acts same as local drives
(permissions allowing). You can speficy this is retained whenever pc is
rebooted.

What I do at home with sometimes as many as 8 pcs connected is have
every pc have a "Temp" folder that is shared. All can do whatever within
the temp folder on any pc. This allows for quickly copying etc. stuff
from one pc to a second after which I may move it to where I want it on
the 2nd pc. I also have some folders I want to share but not allow
changes to, e.g. Music and Videos folders. Any pc can access them but
only the local keyboard can change things.

 

[Steve Hayes]

I have two computers that currently are sharing a networked printer.
The printer and the two computers are connected to a wireless router.
What would I have to do to actually create a "network" for the two
computers so each can see the others disk drives so I can copy files
back and forth and do a backup of the "little" computers hard drive to
the "big" computer?

If they are both running Windows 7 you just set up a Homegroup, and they
should find each other.

If they are not both running Windows 7, it's a bit more complicated, but it
can be done.

 

[...winston]

"Ashton Crusher" wrote in message

I have two computers that currently are sharing a networked printer.

The printer and the two computers are connected to a wireless router.
What would I have to do to actually create a "network" for the two
computers so each can see the others disk drives so I can copy files
back and forth and do a backup of the "little" computers hard drive to
the "big" computer?
Please provide the o/s and version of each of the two computers ?
E.g. Win7 Home Premium, Win7 Pro, XP Home or Pro, Vista, Win8, Win8 Pro)

 

[Quilljar]

I use drop box for this. It's free and works instantly
Quilly

 

[Ken Blake]

If they are both running Windows 7 you just set up a Homegroup, and they
should find each other.

You *can* just set up a homegroup. Or you can set up a workgroup.

My strong preference is to avoid homegroups and set up a workgroup.
Even if today you have no need to connect a computer running a version
of Windows older than Windows 7, you may tomorrow. So I prefer the
workgroup because it's much more flexible.

If they are not both running Windows 7, it's a bit more complicated, but it
can be done.

Setting up a workgroup is "a bit more complicated" than a workgroup?
Perhaps, but just a tiny bit. That's not a good reason to avoid a
workgroup.

And by the way, you can use a homegroup if they are both running
Windows 7 *or* Windows 8.

 

[Ashton Crusher]

LAN
WAN ----- wireless_router ----- printer
\ \
\ \----- computer #1
\----- computer #2

So then, the two computers are on a wireless subnet, and the printer
is connected via Ethernet ? Or are all three wireless ?

There's gotta be a trick here, right ???

To make it more interesting, give IP addresses for the
three devices. 192.168.2.39 , 10.0.0.23 or whatever, for
each LAN side device.

Paul

No, of those three, the printer, computer1 and comp2, they are all
connected via Ethernet from the router. The wireless is used with
laptops to access Internet, not as part of the network.

 

[Ashton Crusher]

Per Ashton Crusher:

I suspect the short answer is that you need to set up "Shares" on each
computer for the drives or directories you want visible on the other
computers.

Right-click one of the drives or folders and start with "Share With".

I don't want to try to get more specific because I suspect my Win 7
system is atypical: it only shows "Advanced Sharing"... but it seems
pretty intuitive to me, so give it a try.

That's what mine showed, the "share" was grayed out but I could go to
advanced sharing and muck around but wasn't sure what to do there.

 

[Ashton Crusher]

I have two computers that currently are sharing a networked printer.
The printer and the two computers are connected to a wireless router.
What would I have to do to actually create a "network" for the two
computers so each can see the others disk drives so I can copy files
back and forth and do a backup of the "little" computers hard drive to
the "big" computer?

You already have a network. Now you have to make it operational.

Control Panel -> Network and Internet - then explore

I don't want to write enough here to explain it all[1], so you should
get a book on what to do with the above. Or else Google for
instructions.

I know this much: if your two computers aren't both Windows 7 or 8,
avoid the HomeGroup and set it up as a workgroup. HomeGroups don't work
in earlier versions of Windows.

[1] Besides, I don't think I *can* write a coherent explanation

Thanks for the workgroup tip. I don't expect anyone to give full
instructions, just looking for general guidance and pitfalls (like you
mentioned) to avoid.

 

[Ashton Crusher]

"Ashton Crusher" wrote in message
The printer and the two computers are connected to a wireless router.
What would I have to do to actually create a "network" for the two
computers so each can see the others disk drives so I can copy files
back and forth and do a backup of the "little" computers hard drive to
the "big" computer?

Please provide the o/s and version of each of the two computers ?
E.g. Win7 Home Premium, Win7 Pro, XP Home or Pro, Vista, Win8, Win8 Pro)

The one is Win7 Premium the other is Vista Premium, or deluxe or
whatever. Both are the top of the line version for home use.

 

[Ken Springer]

I use drop box for this. It's free and works instantly
Quilly

I have done similar, as a last resort kind of thing. But the user has
to be willing to have the data out on the cloud (I prefer not to), and
doesn't mind the time lag of first uploading to Dropbox, and then
waiting for Dropbox to download and sync to other computers and/or
devices you have.


--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.8.3
Firefox 19.0.2
Thunderbird 17.0.5
LibreOffice 4.0.1.2

 

[Boscoe]

The one is Win7 Premium the other is Vista Premium, or deluxe or
whatever. Both are the top of the line version for home use.

This link will walk you through it and Advanced Sharing Settings...

<http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/9040/how-to-share-files-and-printers-between-windows-7-and-vista/>

 

[Ashton Crusher]

This link will walk you through it and Advanced Sharing Settings...

<http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/9040/how-to-share-files-and-printers-between-windows-7-and-vista/>

Thanks. I got it doing what I needed following those directions.

 

[Steve Hayes]

You *can* just set up a homegroup. Or you can set up a workgroup.

The OP didn't specify what OS the computers were running but since it was aske
din a Windows 7 newsgroup, I assumed it would be likely to be Windows 7, and
the Homegroup is an easy way of doing it for the purposes specified.

My strong preference is to avoid homegroups and set up a workgroup.
Even if today you have no need to connect a computer running a version
of Windows older than Windows 7, you may tomorrow. So I prefer the
workgroup because it's much more flexible.
Agreed.



Setting up a workgroup is "a bit more complicated" than a workgroup?
Perhaps, but just a tiny bit. That's not a good reason to avoid a
workgroup.

No, a bit more complicated than a homegroup?

And by the way, you can use a homegroup if they are both running
Windows 7 *or* Windows 8.

Well that's useful to know, if I ever get a Windows 8 computer.

 

[Steve Hayes]

I have done similar, as a last resort kind of thing. But the user has
to be willing to have the data out on the cloud (I prefer not to), and
doesn't mind the time lag of first uploading to Dropbox, and then
waiting for Dropbox to download and sync to other computers and/or
devices you have.

It also depends on being connected to the Internet at all relevant times.

 

[Mike Barnes]

It also depends on being connected to the Internet at all relevant times.

For the avoidance of doubt I'll point out that that applies only in the
situation described by the OP, where the computers aren't connected by
LAN. If Dropbox can use a LAN connection, it will, unless you disable
"LAN sync".

 

[Steve Hayes]

For the avoidance of doubt I'll point out that that applies only in the
situation described by the OP, where the computers aren't connected by
LAN. If Dropbox can use a LAN connection, it will, unless you disable
"LAN sync".

That's interesting, I'd like to know more.