Bits'n'Bytes

As heard on CJCD

Episode 33

I have a few customers who've unwittingly created their own home network. I say unwittingly, because they just considered it a bunch of computers that can all access the Internet at once. They've used a router to plug a few computers into their cable modem and all them can surf at the same time.

Now, for me, the funny part was how they shared files between themselves and the various computers. If one computer had a file on it that someone on another computer wanted to use, they'd email the file to themselves and use webmail to download it onto the other computer. Life should be 'way easier than that, shouldn't it? And what if the file was too big to email?

This is where File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks comes in very handy. It's a little more of an advanced topic, but once it's set up, it makes life so much easier. Here's a quick overview of the basics. There's issues that may come up regarding Workgroups or Firewalls, but if you run into a problem with these, give us a shout and we can help you out with them.

First you have to make sure File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is enabled on your machines. Then you have to share a folder by right clicking on it and selecting the "Sharing" option. Click on "Share this folder" and give it a name and whether or not other computers can change the contents of the folder or just read it and click OK. Your system will then make the files available to other users on the network.

Now, on a second system, you should be able to access these files by opening "My Computer", clicking on "Tools" then on "Map Network Drive". Your computer will assign a drive letter and ask where the folder is. Click on the "Browse" button and look for the name of the folder you created in the list. Once you find it, you'll be able to access the files by double clicking on the drive letter the computer assigned.

If it all sounds too confusing but you want to be able to easily access files on another computer in your network, give us a call and we can come by and set it up for you. And don't even try to share files if you're not using a router - you'll be giving access to your stuff to everyone on the Internet if you do.

Stay tuned next week when I talk about Safe Mode.

I’m Computer Dave, thanks for your time.