Help Setting up a network Which way to go

andyt1 · 11-07-2009, 06:36 PM

Hi iam new to networking
I want to set up a home network that will
allow 2 desktops and 1 laptop access a printer, share movies and music also play movies music on a tv.
My main pc is going to be the Host Server ? i would like to be able to access folders / files on this from the laptop and the othere pc. The main pc will be conected to the other pc via ethernet but the laptop is wifi.
How do i do this and does the otere pc / laptop have to have a large hd to share the files or do they just get played through them.
Sorry about this but i dont understand networking at all.I understand the principal but not the set up.

**johnwill** · 11-08-2009, 09:20 AM

This TCP/IP Home Networking and File Sharing Tutorial should get you started.

andyt1 · 11-09-2009, 05:11 AM

Thanks for that John found it really helped the only question that i havent got an answer for is do the other pcs ie the laptop and other desktop have to have large hard drives.In other words when they share a file with the main pc are they only used to view the file (play it) the reason iam asking is the main pc has a 1tb drive full of music and films the other 2 pcs only have 80 gig will they be able to see all of the stuff on the main PC or will they be limited to 80 gig only.

whizzyfinger · 11-09-2009, 07:09 AM

They will be able to see it all and stream fine.

**johnwill** · 11-09-2009, 09:08 AM

Yep, that's the whole point of file sharing, to "share" the files.

11-07-2009, 06:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
andyt1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 34 OS: XP Pro sp2 win 7	Help Setting up a network Which way to go Hi iam new to networking I want to set up a home network that will allow 2 desktops and 1 laptop access a printer, share movies and music also play movies music on a tv. My main pc is going to be the Host Server ? i would like to be able to access folders / files on this from the laptop and the othere pc. The main pc will be conected to the other pc via ethernet but the laptop is wifi. How do i do this and does the otere pc / laptop have to have a large hd to share the files or do they just get played through them. Sorry about this but i dont understand networking at all.I understand the principal but not the set up.

11-08-2009, 09:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,654 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Help Setting up a network Which way to go This TCP/IP Home Networking and File Sharing Tutorial should get you started. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-09-2009, 05:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
andyt1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 34 OS: XP Pro sp2 win 7	Re: Help Setting up a network Which way to go Thanks for that John found it really helped the only question that i havent got an answer for is do the other pcs ie the laptop and other desktop have to have large hard drives.In other words when they share a file with the main pc are they only used to view the file (play it) the reason iam asking is the main pc has a 1tb drive full of music and films the other 2 pcs only have 80 gig will they be able to see all of the stuff on the main PC or will they be limited to 80 gig only.

11-09-2009, 07:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
whizzyfinger Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK Posts: 44 OS: Windows 2003 server SP2, Xp SP3, Vista SP1, Windows 7 RTM	Re: Help Setting up a network Which way to go They will be able to see it all and stream fine.

11-09-2009, 09:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,654 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Help Setting up a network Which way to go Yep, that's the whole point of file sharing, to "share" the files. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience