Wondering about file and printer sharing(existing home network)

Question

Before I start what are the risks and problems with file sharing e.g. viruses,

So do I have to use the Windows Wizard or the Linksys menu to enable file and printer sharing on both my Inspiron 2200 and my Dimension 4600(Desktop). I am using a HP PSC 1210 All In One(Wired to desktop), the drivers have been set up on both comps, and I am running McAfee Security Center without the Privacy Protection installed on both comps. So how do I do this.

Do I have to install File and Printer sharing for MS Networks? What is it?

Router Information
Linksys Wireless-G 2.4GHz
Firmware Version: v3.03.6, Jan. 6, 2005
Current Time: Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:57:23
MAC Address: 00:07:E9:26:4F:5A
Router Name: WRT54G
Host Name: D3DD5G31
Domain Name: phub.net.cable.rogers.com
Internet

Configuration Type
Login Type: Automatic Configuration - DHCP
MTU: 1500

Message Edited by Kenster102.5 on 11-06-2007 10:28 PM

Message Edited by Kenster102.5 on 11-06-2007 10:29 PM

Message Edited by Kenster102.5 on 11-06-2007 10:32 PM

volcano11 · Answer

There are several steps involved, none of which involve the router.   First, assuming all computers are running Windows XP, on each computer, open Network Connections, right click the network connection over which you want too share files and printers, and select Properties.  Make sure the box next to File and Printer Sharing is checked.   Next open Windows Explorer or My Computer, select a drive or folder to you want to share on the network, right click and select sharing.  Then follow the dialog boxes to share this drive or folder on the network.  Next, make sure that any third party firewalls you are running are configured to allow local network access.     If any of the computers connect to the router by wireless, make sure you are running WPA encryption to keep any outside users form accessing your network and being able to access the drives or folders you have designated as shared.   Steve

Kenster102.5 · Answer

I just set-up a folder to share on my network, at the end of the networking wizard it said something about computers using this network are not running, do you want to create disk I said no, I was just going to setup my desktops folder and tomorrow the laptop would get a folder, will the action cause any conflicts.

Kenster102.5 · Answer

For printing how do I install drivers since the Laptop XP is different then Dimesnion XP, running a HP PSC 1210 Al-In-One

volcano11 · Answer

If the printer is designated as a shared printer on the computer to which it is connected and all firewalls allow local network access, then the printer should eventually show up in the printers folder on all other computers on the network if Windows has a built in native driver for it.  If it doesn't, then you have to open the printers folder on the other computers, click on Add-Printer, select the option for a 'Network printer or a printer attached to another computer', browse for the printer, then when it asks for the drivers, have the CD with the drivers handy and point it to the dirver files on that disk.   Steve

jbone4scs · Answer

Hello. I had great success in setting up my home network for file and printer sharing with the following program:

http://www.homenetmanager.com

I had tried all kinds of other things first and this couldn't have made it any easier. I only wish I had found it sooner.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wondering about file and printer sharing(existing home network)

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