How To: set up a home network part 2

By Rick Castellini Special to PRIME In the April issue of PRIME, we defined what it means to work wirelessly, identified many of the components needed to hook up a wireless computer network, did a step-by-step set-up of the router, and discussed installing wireless security. (If you missed any of this, you can find it online at www.reminderpublications.com/primeonline, click technology in the left-had scroll bar for archives). Setting up the network Now, you are ready to hook up to your new secure wireless network: 1. Double-click on the wireless network icon in your system tray (by the clock) 2. Click on your wireless network 3. Click the Connect button 4. Paste in your wireless key (twice) 5. Click OK Wait about 30 seconds and now you can surf the Internet wirelessly! If you decided to not broadcast your wireless connection, then follow these steps: 1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. 2. Double-click Network Connections. 3. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties. 4. Click the Wireless Networks tab. 5. Under Preferred networks, click Add. 6. In the Network Name (SSID) box, type the name of the wireless network and enter your security key. 7. Click OK. Setting up a central printer One of the greatest advantages of a network for home users is the ability to use a single printer to service all the computers. Windows XP offers a networking wizard that works quite well for most people to setup a home or small business network. You can find it by: 1. Double-click the "My Computer" icon 2. Click "My Network Places" from the task list on the left of the screen 3. You will then see the menu of options at the pictured here 4. Click the "Set up a home or small office network" option 5. Click Next twice 6. The next screen will ask you how you connect to the Internet, choose the second option "This computer connects to the Internet through a residential gateway or through another computer on my network." 7. Click Next 8. On the next screen, give your computer a description and a name as described in the step itself 9. Click Next 10. Now you name your network (workgroup) so that the computers can talk to each other. Use any name you like, but keep it to a single word like; Steelers, Network, Rover, etc 11. Click Next 12. Click the "Turn on file and printer sharing" option 13. Click Next twice 14. If you are using Windows 98 or Me on other computers in your network, then click the "Create a Network Setup Disk" and click next. OR If you are using XP on the other computers, then click the final option "Just finish..." 15. Click Next 16. Click Finish Using this method will also allow you to share files through the "SharedDocs" folder found in My Computer. Any files you save into this folder can be accessed on any other computer via the network. The wizard will also allow you to share any printers you have installed. Sharing printers To share your printers with other computers: 1. Click Start ---> Control Panel 2. Open your Printers folder 3. RIGHT Click on your printer 4. Click "Sharing" 5. Click "Share this printer" 6. Type a descriptive name in the share name box 7. Click OK Other Windows XP computers on your network will automatically detect and utilize these shared printers. All you have to do is choose them from your printer list when printing or open the Control Panel and your printers folder, then right click on the network printer and choose "Set as Default." Sharing folders If you want to share other folders on your hard drive with your network, navigate to that folder in Windows Explorer or My Computer, then: 1. RIGHT Click on the folder to share 2. Click "Share this folder on the network" 3. Change the Share name if necessary 4. Click the "Allow network users to change my files" box IF you want to be able to edit those files from other computers 5. Click Ok Networking isn't just for the big corporate offices any more. There are plenty of good reasons to set up a network in your home or small office. For screenshots and links to other networking resources, visit my online version of this tip at: www.HelpMeRick.com/networking Rick Castellini is an author, computer consultant, and hosts a nationally syndicated computer radio show from Colorado. Visit his web site at www.HelpMeRick.com for new tips every week and sign up for his free weekly email newsletter.