Setting up a network

hey guys im new to networking stuff, and just wanted to know how to setup a network between like 3 laptops or something. so that we could all use the same printer without having to be directly connected to it. ive never done it before...yes im a newbie.

i tried to search it up on this forums but couldnt find what i wanted. any help is appreciated.

 

I'm not sure if you've tried searching the web but the last time I tried I had a hard time looking for a detailed "How To" set up a home network guide even in this forum. Other sites I found would charge you for the guide. To me it's complicated because of the firewall issues.

If you have an IT/Network tech friend, I'd ask him. If not, get Network Magic. It might cost you some dough but it will solve all your networking issues in a breeze. It solved mine. I highly recommend it.

 

You will need a router. If you don't want to work wireless, then just connect every computer to the router via ethernet cables. You can connect the printer directly to the router, or you can connect the printer to one of the computers that is connected to the router. Once you'v installed the printer on one of the machines, you go to settings - printers and faxes and you right-click on the printer. choose the option "sharing" and then "share this printer" That should be enough. If you want to use that printer from a different computer you go to "my network places" (on one of the computers on this network) and choose left "set up a home or small office network" click next till you get the option "this computer connects directly to the internet, the other computers on this network access the internet through this computer". You should select this option only on 1 computer. namely the one that is connected to the internet, the one you want to be your primary computer (the one from where you configure your network). click next and choose your network card (if wireless, choose wifi card), click next and choos a computer description (if needed), click next and choos a workgroup name (this will be the groupname that will be given to the group of computers connected to the router). click next and select turn on file and printer sharing. Click next and finish. You will get a file which you can use add the other computers to the network.
Or You add another computer by again selecting my network places, but the first option you should choose now would be "this computer connects to the internet through a residential gateway or through another computer on my network". Rest stays the same.
If you want to share a file on your network, just rightclick a folder and select sharing (same as sharing a printer).
If you want to access your network, just go to "my network places" where the name of you network will be. Click it and behind it, will be the names of all computers and printers on that network. The files you shared on a computer are behind the computer names.
It's actually pretty simple with windows XP
Hope this little quick guide helps.