OK now I have 2 computers wireless - can they talk to each other?

[KatyMac]

They are both on-line wirelessly - can I use files from the other computer?

[Hopeysgirlwasntbig]

In the control panel is a network setup option where you can set up a home network.

[KatyMac]

I think I did this

But I can't work out where the other computer is on this one (does that make any sense?)

[Hopeysgirlwasntbig]

what did the wizard say?

[KatyMac]

It made a file (on a USB stick) which I used in both computers

Where would I see if it was set up?

[KatyMac]

I looked on the network & there is only one computer there (this one)

[KatyMac]

Whoops children calling - be back later (hopefully)

[MaureenMLove]

DH knows stuff like this, I'll ask him later when he's in. We have 3 wireless here and he's is the daddy one ifkwim! I know he can 'hack' into DD's when she's on, to see what she's upto! I also think there is a free website that you can sign upto, called 'LetmeIn' or something like that, which enables you to access files on other pc's within your network.

I'll get back to you. I know nothing really!

[Hopeysgirlwasntbig]

KatyMac, DH has just spent AGES trying to get our computers set up on a network, I'm afraid he's given up..... AND he works in the IT industry !

[MaureenMLove]

Right, spoken to DH and he said it is possible and you should be able to do it from your menus. However, he has never done it on ours, so he doesn't know how difficult it is and he hasn't done it because he said, he doesn't like the idea that if anyone were to sit outside our house and use our network, they would be able to get into our files.

The website I mentioned is purely for controlling another pc, not for transfering or using files.

Not much help, am I, but I tried and God loves a trier!

[Greyriverside]

In order to see the other computers the workgroup names must be the same. It offers you the option to choose one when you run Network Wizard and you probably did this (it might have defaulted to MSHome, but can be anything)

You also need to set at least one folder on each to be shared before they become visible. Right click a folder and click on properties and there should be a sharing tab at the top.

Don't do the whole of C: just things like My Music, My Pictures or whatever

[Greyriverside]

Since it's wireless you have a point about security. An ordinary person (a neighbour just messing about) would need to know the workgroup name to access files.

A hacker sitting outside could do more (though less likely to happen) so there are options in the router to make it more secure. If you posted the model of the router someone might know specific settings for that.

Also if you have a software firewall on each PC you may be able to tell it to only allow sharing from certain PCs (by IP number)

[KatyMac]

It's a secure wireless thingie with a WPA code thingie & an encryptation key for the router (does that mean anythiing t anyone?)

OK I'll give it a go

[KatyMac]

This is SO not working

[Greyriverside]

Well someone else might have some ideas since I may be missing something, but if they can both get to the net they should be able to share files

Providing that:

1. you have set a folder to share on each
   
2. made sure they had the same Workgroup name
   
3. turned on filesharing on the last step of the (wireless?) network setup wizard
   
   You might try disabling the software firewalls briefly to test if that's doing it
   
   Also if say the other computer is called fredspc then open any ordinary folder and type this in the address bar
   \fredspc
   
   Or if you know the IP of the other computer is 192.168.1.33 you could type in
   \192.168.1.33

[KatyMac]

When you say set a folder to share on each - I have a folder to share on one with data in & on the other is my picture, my music etc

[KatyMac]

Is there an easy way of finding either PC's IP address?

[nannynick]

Click Start, Run
Type: CMD
Then type: ipconfig

[nannynick]

It will show IP Address (ip address of that computer), Subnet Mask (not sure what this is, I just leave it as 255.255.255.0), Default Gateway (this is the router address).

[nannynick]

On each machine, try creating a new folder - say call it Transfers and create it in say the root directory C: usually - so you get a folder which is C:\Transfers
Then right click on this folder, select Sharing and Security. Tick the box next to Network sharing and give it a share name.

[KatyMac]

nope that did nothing

I got the number - but nothing

[Greyriverside]

KatyMac, set a folder to be shared on each PC apart from the special share ones which are a bit different.

[KatyMac]

What?
set up a folder called Katymac's sharing folder on each PC?

[Greyriverside]

cross posted, but what nannynick said

[KatyMac]

So in My docs on each laptop are a folder called Katymac's folder

One has data in & the other doesn't I can only see each on each laptop not the other (mind you I can't see either computer on the other)

[KatyMac]

Stupid, stupid computers

Having one that wouldn't do what you wanted was bad enough - having 2 that won't is awful