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| Sharing files and printers |
Prepare your PCs that are running Windows XP
Follow these steps on each of your PCs running Windows XP.Run the Network Setup Wizard
1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Network and Internet Connections.
2. Click Network Setup Wizard, and then follow the instructions on your screen.
3. On the Name your network page, type the same workgroup name used by your other PCs.
4. On the File and printer sharing page, select Turn on and printer sharing.
Note
• If your network includes PCs running Windows XP, it’s important to use the same workgroup name for all of the PCs on your network. This makes it possible for PCs running different Windows operating systems to detect and access each other. Remember that the default workgroup name is not the same in all Windows operating systems.
Specify what you want to share
1. Right-click the folder that you want to share, and then click Sharing and Security.
2. If you are sharing a drive, on the Sharing tab, click If you understand the risk but still want to share the root of the drive, click here.
3. Select the Share this folder on the network check box.
Note
• To share individual files in Windows XP, either put them in a folder and share the folder, or share them using the Public folder.
Share your files and printers
Now that you’ve prepared the PCs on your network, the next step is to indicate which files, folders, and printers you want to share. Go to the PC where you store the items you want to share.
To share a file or folder
To share a file or folder, right-click it, click Sharing and Security, and then select the people or groups you want to share with. You can also assign permissions so that those people can or cannot make changes to the file or folder you shared.
To share a printer
When you first connect a printer to your PC, you have the option of sharing it. But even if you didn't choose to share it originally, you can still do it later. Here's how:
1. Click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes.
2. Right-click the printer you want to share, and then click Sharing.
3. Click Share this printer, and then click OK.
Access the shared files and folders
Now we're ready for the final step—accessing the shared files and folders. Instructions for accessing shared printers are on the following tab.
To access shared files or folders
1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. Under Other places, click My Network Places.
3. Under Network Tasks, click View workgroup computers.
4. Double-click the PC you want to access, and then type your user name and password.
5. Navigate to the folder you want.
Access the shared printers
Here's how to access the printers you've shared. Instructions for accessing shared files and folders are on the previous tab.
To access shared printers
1. Click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes.
2. In the left pane, click Add a printer.
3. In the wizard that appears, click Next, and then select A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer.
4. Select Browse for a printer, and then click Next.
5. Double-click the name of the PC that the printer is attached to, select the printer you want to access, and then click Next.
6. On the dialog box that appears, click Yes, and then complete the rest of the wizard.
Type the name of the printer's network address. This will be the name of the computer and then the name of the printer. For example, if the computer on our network was called "hope" and our printer was called "hp" the network path for our printer would be: "\\hope\hp", if you are adding the printer on a Microsoft Windows XP computer you can click the Browse icon to browse your network and locate the printer. If you're unable to connect to the printer or browse and see the printer make sure you have the network rights and that any installed firewall is temporarily disabled.