Help for setting up ad hoc peer-to-peer wireless network

I have a new netbook that I would like to configure with an existing laptop so they can share files wirelessly. I tried to set up a wireless ad hoc network per instructions on the Microsoft site but it's not working.

The existing laptop connects through my Westell router/modem. I use WEP encryption.

I've been able to configure the new netbook to connect to the internet the same way the existing laptop does.

So both Laptops now connect using the preexisting wireless network that I set up for the first computer. But how do I get them to connect to each other as well?

Am I supposed to set up an additional wireless network at home for the peer to peer connection? Or am I supposed to set up a brand new network to supplant the original one and provide both internet access as well as file sharing at the same time?

Does anyone know where I can find instructions to do this?

 

You cannot use your notebook’s wireless adapter to connect to your router and create an ad-hoc network at the same time (only one mode will work at a time). However, you don’t need an ad-hoc network to access the other notebook, since you have a wireless router. A wireless router already has a LAN (Local Area Network), therefore you should be able to access one another over the network neighborhood, while connected to the router (no need to setup anything special). If the other computer is not visible on the net neighborhood, then try giving the same workgrop ID for both computers, if that also doesn’t work then type \\IP_Address or \\Computer_Name at the Windows explorer address bar to browse to the other PC.

P.S : To find out the IP = type ipconfig at the command prompt and look for the IP address of your wireless adapter
To find ot the computer name = Right click My Computer on the start menu and view properties.

 

Both laptops are connected to the router, that means they are already networked.

 

LOL, I spent a couple of hours yesterday trying to setup the ad hoc peer-to-peer connection (which I eventually figured out) when I already had it configured for sharing due to simply being connected to my router. Thanks for the help.

It's funny, I did google the issue and I don't recall anyone talking about simply using the connection to the wireless router for file sharing. Everyone just mentions an ad hoc peer-to-peer.

A few more questions ... I guess for each folder I want shared, I have to right click it and enable fire sharing for it? Or is there a more global way to enable sharing of whole directories or partitions on a computer?

Also, now that I have enabled fire sharing for some folders on my computer ... does that mean anytime I connect to any wireless network that another person on that network can then access those files? Like if I connect to a friend's network I'm visiting or one at the local Starbuck's? This could be a security issue, no? If that is the case, is there a one-click easy way to turn off file sharing on my laptop when I travel with it?