Home Network Questions

[Crispy]

Hi guys, there are questions here, but I'll give you all the background first.

I have two desktops and a notebook, all running Win' Me. The notebook came complete with Nic and I've fitted one to each of the desktops. I have connected all using CAT5 cables and an 8 port mini swich. I used the Windows Network Wizard to create the network and link in all machines. So far so good.

The main point of networking these machines was for back-up and recovery situations. Ideally I'd like to run backups of all machines from the main machine. Is this achievable?

The only files made available on the other machines currently, are in the MyDocuments folder, there didn't seem to be any other option given.

Please could someone explain the printer sharing to me? I currently have two printers that are hard switched between the two desktops, and I'm quite happy using that setup, but it would be nice to use the notebook for printing sometimes without having to switch all the cables. Is this an option?

Thanks for any advice,
Chris

[mattg2k4]

The main point of networking these machines was for back-up and recovery situations. Ideally I'd like to run backups of all machines from the main machine. Is this achievable?

Yes, how do you want to backup? To CD-R's, hdds, tape drives, etc?

The only files made available on the other machines currently, are in the MyDocuments folder, there didn't seem to be any other option given.

Yes, right click on the folder (not file) and for win 9x, i'm pretty sure its a tab under properties, if not its its own link on the menu. It will give you the option to share any folder.

Please could someone explain the printer sharing to me?

I've never done it myself, but I believe you merely right click the printer in My Computer\Printers (not sure about that, been a while since using 9x). Then you have to install the drivers on the remote computer that will use the printer. In some cases this will have to involve physically plugging it into the computer.

[glc]

To share the whole drive, just right click on it in My Computer and select Sharing. To share a printer, right click on it and select Sharing. Then on the other machines open Network Neighborhood/My Network Places and find the shared printer - and right click on it - and select Install or Connect.

[Crispy]

Thanks guys, now the problems really start :(

I switched on this morning to find I had picked up a network worm from somewhere. Having always been careful with mail and running NAV in the background, it starts me wondering about the advantages of a home network. I've run the Symantec fix, so hopefully I am back in business, but it does make me wonder about giving full access across all computers.

The printer part of my original question seemed to sort itself out when I connected the notebook to the network. Thanks for the shared files info: I had gone ahead and changed the permissions on my main PC, but I may have to think that one through a bit more.

Thanks again,
Chris