Easiest way to setup a network

I've been having major problems lately setting up a wireless network. I've tried the following programs/utilities yet each of them has its own issue. I am not able to transfer the network setup information between my computers because of them.

Windows Network Setup Wizard
Problem: 1. I don't have a floppy drive on one of my computers. 2. I don't have a Windows XP CD. (whatever that is)

Wireless Network Setup Wizard
Problem: 1. I don't have a USB port on my router. 2. I cannot transfer network setup info between computers manually because my computer came with a program from the manufacturer that replaced Wireless Zero Configuration.

Dell Network Setup Wizard
So I am prompted to use the Dell network setup program. Yet it doesnt work either. (Nor do I want another program to alert me when I lose my connection, or when there are changes in my network)

So how do I transfer the network setup info?

 

Are you trying to file print share or just dhcp?

 

You don't have to do anything like that at all. You need to assign all computers to the same workgroup, and then configure your computers for printer and file sharing. There are a ton of posts on this board about it. Here's one to start you off:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1393587&postcount=10

 

Wait I don't remember the computer to ask me about the Windows XP CD. I know that you can say no to the floppy because the floppy is just for you to setup networks on other computers (that's only if you have a lot of computers).

 

not to be horribly rude, but if you don't even know what a Windows XP CD is, you might want to get someone to help you, rather than doing it yourself.

Like someone stated above, if file and print sharing is all you're after, put each computer in the same workgroup. To do this, find your My Computer icon. It's typically on your Start Menu or on your desktop. Hover your mouse over the icon, right click the My Computer icon, and select "Properties." It should then take you to System Properties window, select Computer Name and select Change... at the bottom. For the workgroup, put something unique like your last name or HomeNetwork or something more unique than "WORKGROUP" Make sure each have the same workgroup, and once all are connected to the internet via your router, you should be able to share files and printers.

 

Windows XP installation CD? That I have heard of, but not simply a "Windows XP CD"? I am surprised that they would recommend people use this route when the majority of people do not purchase Windows seperately from their computer, and very few people order the Windows XP re-installation CD with their computer.

Well I have both of my computers in the same workgroup, yet I still can't file share. When I try to "view workgroup computers" on one of the computers, I get nothing. When I do the same thing on my other computer, I only get that computer listed. And when I view the shared documents folders on each computer, I only get the documents on the individual computer listed, not both.

 

Review your firewall settings and wireless security settings. Did you visit the link I provided?

 

Open My network Places. On the side pane "network tasks" click "set up a home or small office network."

Follow the wizard, and it will ask you if you wanna turn on file/printer sharing. This is all assuming that you already have wireless internet access through your computers.

 

Make sure both computers also are on the same subnet. One computer on 192.168.0.1 will not work with another on 192.168.100.1 for basic example. Preferably, I use 192.168.x.1 as the gateway, 192.168.x.2 as my server, 192.168.x.3 as my most frequently used PC, and the rest are DHCP assigned.

 

also, make sure that File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks are checked under your Local Area Connection Properties