I could use a little (free) help

[Trout]

Here's the deal: The Law Offices of Troutly J. Trout, esq., are set to open June 1. I need a little technology help. I'm getting a pretty basic laptop, because all it will be used for is word processing and internet research (I know, not the life of excitement and intrigue that the law school brochures promised, is it?)

Oryx will be doing a lot of work to help out - primarily administrative, like billing, etc. We have three computers in the home. My desktop gaming machine, her desktop, and the laptop. Right now, we have a wired router, because our computers are inches from each other and there was no need for a wireless. I want the laptop in the bedroom (office) upstairs.

What I'm looking for is a way to network all three computers so we can access files on any computer from any other computer. Being able to access those files remotely, when I'm meeting with a client outside of the office would be important, but, i guess not mandatory.

How on earth do I do this? I'm better than average with computers on an individual basis, but I have no clue about networks. What do i need to buy and how do I link it all up?

Keep in mind I have a SERIOUSLY tight budget. I'm not kidding. I'm doing this on a shoestring.

Any ideas?

[Cherish]

Oh there is a website that does this.... Give it a search, I am sure that you will find it. I think it was somewhere around $25 a month.

There is also a way to set up your pc for remote access. Possibly that is what you are thinking of... I am not a techi.. but I am sure that someone else can point the way.

[Mulch]

i think go to my pc is the easy non tech way to do it

network shit with many flavors of windows can be a pain

do i get legal help pro bono now?

[Kokoro Fasching]

Here's the deal: The Law Offices of Troutly J. Trout, esq., are set to open June 1. I need a little technology help. I'm getting a pretty basic laptop, because all it will be used for is word processing and internet research (I know, not the life of excitement and intrigue that the law school brochures promised, is it?)

Oryx will be doing a lot of work to help out - primarily administrative, like billing, etc. We have three computers in the home. My desktop gaming machine, her desktop, and the laptop. Right now, we have a wired router, because our computers are inches from each other and there was no need for a wireless. I want the laptop in the bedroom (office) upstairs.

What I'm looking for is a way to network all three computers so we can access files on any computer from any other computer. Being able to access those files remotely, when I'm meeting with a client outside of the office would be important, but, i guess not mandatory.

How on earth do I do this? I'm better than average with computers on an individual basis, but I have no clue about networks. What do i need to buy and how do I link it all up?

Keep in mind I have a SERIOUSLY tight budget. I'm not kidding. I'm doing this on a shoestring.

Any ideas?

http://www.mytechopinion.com/2009/03/4-ways-access-files-remotely.html

Replace your wireless router, linksys is fine. Can get one for about 25 USD from most department stores. Setup user accounts on each PC, and create a shared directory on the strongest computer. Map the other two computers to that shared directory.

Use something like Live Sync against that shared directory to access files from anywhere else you have internet access.

What is the O/S of the three computers?

[Amaranthim Talon]

Pixie- you may need to explain "map each computer" That isn't real evident if you don't know where to look - then come over and set up my LAN -it sorta fell apart when i changed out 'puters and have been too lazy to redo!

[Trout]

Two run XP and the new one will run Windows 7. I avoided upgrading the two desktops to Vista.

So, you're saying get rid of the wired one and go wireless? I figured I would have to do that. I'll check the link - thanks!

[Mulch]

really, if you arent a tech, look for a consumer level solution

otherwise, you risk amaras situation if anything in your setup changes

i normally would suggest getting closer to your stuff (like building your own pc etc) but networking is notoriously finicky with windows (especially with multiple flavors of windows. make sure you have your windows install disks handy)

ok, looked at kokos link and that would be syncing, not networking. a differnt animal, but based on my non microsoft syncing history, not nearly as troubling

but there IS the microsoft factor

[Cherish]

i think go to my pc is the easy non tech way to do it

network shit with many flavors of windows can be a pain

do i get legal help pro bono now?

I am sure you will need to send him a bill for tax purposes. Here is his address >>>>>> Trout, Fishing Somewhere, USA

[Damien Thorne]

Two run XP and the new one will run Windows 7. I avoided upgrading the two desktops to Vista.

So, you're saying get rid of the wired one and go wireless? I figured I would have to do that. I'll check the link - thanks!
A wireless router would have hard ports, four for all i have seen in recent years. for the ones you want to wire. I run 3 computers and a network hard drive wired, the print server and 2 laptops wireless. They are simple to set up, just make sure you set up the security for the wireless part.

[Kokoro Fasching]

I suggested wireless since you said you wanted to have the laptop upstairs. The two computers downstairs would still be wired.

Setting up a shared directory is very easy under windows. Right mouse click on any folder, and select Share. While the default configuration would not be secure if someone accessed your network from the inside, the router would give basic protection from outside your house.

There are other services besides livesync, I will track down my links and post them in here also.

[Kokoro Fasching]

The other option for internal would be something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Network-Attached-WDH1NC10000N but that is 159.00 more than you *have* to spend if you use the windows options available.

[Forest]

Oh, I thought you were looking for psychological help and I was going to recommend you NOT follow any advice of that sort you get on this forum :p

[Asher Bertrand]

Trout, I'm useless with answers - I just want to congratulate you and Oryx :D

[Trout]

Trout, I'm useless with answers - I just want to congratulate you and Oryx :D

Why? What have you heard? :suspicious:

[Trout]

i think go to my pc is the easy non tech way to do it

network shit with many flavors of windows can be a pain

do i get legal help pro bono now?

Sure. Just send 199.99 for processing and your pro bono legal advice will be mailed to you within 10 working days.

[Asher Bertrand]

Why? What have you heard? :suspicious:

You know, that one thing.

[Trout]

You know, that one thing.

Oh - that! Thank you.


:uncertain:

[Mulch]

You know, that one thing.

you mean when Oryx accidentally went to bed with Fox?

[Trout]

you mean when Oryx accidentally went to bed with Fox?

I'm just glad it was her and not me!

[Kavik Brock]

Hey, Trout, if you're just looking for a free way to share files from anywhere (so long as you have Internet access) go here: Dropbox.com (https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTQ0NjEwMzk5)

If you're looking for something more elaborate (Remote Desktop kind of stuff) PM me and I can help you out.

If need to share a printer or something that is easy enough to do, too.

[Jorus]

http://www.mytechopinion.com/2009/03/4-ways-access-files-remotely.html

Replace your wireless router, linksys is fine. Can get one for about 25 USD from most department stores. Setup user accounts on each PC, and create a shared directory on the strongest computer. Map the other two computers to that shared directory.

Use something like Live Sync against that shared directory to access files from anywhere else you have internet access.

What is the O/S of the three computers?

This is really the best idea.

However. Comedy Option: Time to set up a domain controller!

[Jorus]

If need to share a printer or something that is easy enough to do, too.

For the most part sharing directories and entire file systems use the same methods as sharing this printer.

[Trout]

This is really the best idea.

However. Comedy Option: Time to set up a domain controller!

I'm all for comedy, but not so much at the expense of my sanity.

Edit - Thanks kavik - I'll PM you when I get the printer and laptop - hopefully this weekend. I'll pick up a wireless router as well.

[Damien Thorne]

I'm all for comedy, but not so much at the expense of my sanity.

Edit - Thanks kavik - I'll PM you when I get the printer and laptop - hopefully this weekend. I'll pick up a wireless router as well.But... but Oryx told me you gave up any form of sanity years ago.

[Jorus]

I'm all for comedy, but not so much at the expense of my sanity.

I've thought of doing it myself actually, deals.woot has HP DL360 2U server refurbs going for about 200 bucks. I could toss one of those in my closet with a big fat pile of drives hooked into it, install virtual server so I'd have instances to work with and setup a domain controller and a remote media server.

Mmmmmmm.

Windows networking isn't that hard actually.

I'll have to reset my router password to do a proper share tutorial though. I don't remember my router password. I'm a horrible home admin.

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm

Not a tutorial done by me, so fuckall how accurate it is.

If however you upgrade all computers to windows 7 you can apparently make a home workgroup which acts almost like a mini domain. That is fucking nifty and may be the first real impetus to upgrading for me.

[Kavik Brock]

For the most part sharing directories and entire file systems use the same methods as sharing this printer.
True; however, the sharing of the files anywhere (at home or away) adds another level (as you know), so dropbox or something like it makes it easier for the "not so technical."

Easy and Free = Win

[Jorus]

For the most part sharing directories and entire file systems use the same methods as sharing this printer.
True; however, the sharing of the files anywhere (at home or away) adds another level (as you know), so dropbox or something like it makes it easier for the "not so technical."



Easy and Free = Win

True enough. I'd probably set up a local share and a dropbox for off PC use. Next comedy option: rapidshare :o


Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[Trout]

I've almost got it. I set up a wireless router and just ran the network wizard on the two computers running XP. I can see the shared files on each of those just fine, and the new laptop can see both XP machines just fine. The XP machines can't see the Win7 laptop, though. I tried setting up a workgroup for the XP machines and I tried setting up a homegroup for the Win 7 machine. No good.

I can limp along just fine this way, but it would be really cool to have all three computers see each other. Any way to make that happen without upgrading everything to 7?

I haven't tried the printer yet. I'll work on that next.

[Kokoro Fasching]

I've almost got it. I set up a wireless router and just ran the network wizard on the two computers running XP. I can see the shared files on each of those just fine, and the new laptop can see both XP machines just fine. The XP machines can't see the Win7 laptop, though. I tried setting up a workgroup for the XP machines and I tried setting up a homegroup for the Win 7 machine. No good.

I can limp along just fine this way, but it would be really cool to have all three computers see each other. Any way to make that happen without upgrading everything to 7?

I haven't tried the printer yet. I'll work on that next.

The Windoes 7 - Is it Windows 7 home?

[Kokoro Fasching]

Trout, check out this page.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/share-files-and-printers-between-windows-7-and-xp/
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/share-files-and-printers-between-windows-7-and-xp/

[Trout]

The Windoes 7 - Is it Windows 7 home?

yes

[Phoenix Psaltery]

Cisco's Network Magic (http://www.purenetworks.com/) is excellent for this kind of thing and very inexpensive.

P2

[Trout]

Cisco's Network Magic (http://www.purenetworks.com/) is excellent for this kind of thing and very inexpensive.

P2

It came with the router (or it may be a trial version) and it looks great. The links Koko posted seem to be outdated or for another version of Windows 7. It's asking me to something that doesn't exist. Windows 7 doesn't have workgroups, it has homegroups, and XP only has workgroups and not homegroups, so i can't put everything in the same homegroup.

Stupid, fucking Microsoft.

At any rate, the 2 XP machines recognize the existence of each other, and the laptop can see the 2 XP machines, so that will work. I just can't get to the laptop from the XP machines. It shouldn't be a problem, though. My main file and form bank will be on one of the XP machines, so i can pull, edit and save files there. I'll keep a copy of the formbank on the laptop and just DL to the main XP machine after i work on something.