Moving files between computers.

[David M]

I have two computers on a home network(wired) which also connects to the internet through a cable modem.

I would like to be able to transfer files and folders between the two computers. Is there a way to do this other than burning a CD and physically moving the CD from one computer to the other. Is there a way to click and drag a file from one computer to the next? Is there a way to "see" the files in the other computer from the first computer? Is there software which does this?

Thanks

[bailey]

yes, just create a folder and have it shared on the network, for each computer, then you can move folders and files to the shared folder, then move them to anyother place you want in the computer.

[David M]

Thanks..

Is there a tutorial somewhere that explains how to do this in more detail? I feel like an idiot asking this but how do I create a shared folder?

It would be nice to "see" into my other computer and just click and drag files into my computer. Is this a possibility? The files I want access to in the other computer are not shared files...can they be converted into shared files?

[bailey]

you can share any file or folder by right clicking on it and select shareing,

I always do this useing windows explorer.
just follow the instructions on the windows that pop up.

[David M]

On both computers I changed the settings so everything on C drive can be shared. I assume this is what the 'root" means. And so anyone else on the network (the other computer) can make changes...correct?

So now how do I get into the other computer to copy and paste some files into this computer?

I do realize that other computers on the internet can now access and change these files..right? But thats why we have firewalls right? Is there a way to make it so only computers on my network can access these files and make changes?

[bailey]

it is not recommend that you share the entire hard drive, you do not want to have the system files exposed.

[Snyper_20]

Yes, there is a way, but you would have to make an additional internal network that does not branch into the internet. However this has got to be the worst solution...But yes, there must be a way to make windows recognize and allow only local IP address (192.168.0.x, etc...), I just don't know how. I would love to hear more possibilities to solve this problem because who knows, I might need to do something similar one day

EDIT: You cannot share the root of a hard drive and expect to grab system files ("Program Files", "Windows", "Documents and Settings" (not sure about last one)) without sharing them aswell, but you will still, however, be limited to choices. Correct me if I am wrong, but administrative shares is the only way to do this with the least amount of problems. However do not use admin* shares due to security threats unless you have a password longer than 14 characters.

[David M]

Sorry Sniper but what you said is totally over my head. Does "root" mean everything on the c drive can be shared? Is the root the software in the OS or is it other files? If so, I need to change it back obviously.

Seems the next version of Windows needs to make this simpler. More and more people have more than one computer in their home which need to share files.

Is there software available that makes this easy for a newbie?


The next version of windows should go as follows for the networking setup:

Software: Do you wish to look for other computers on your network?
You: yes
Software: I found XYZ computer on your network. Do you want to share files?
You: yes
Software: Done, you can now share files without others being able to access those files.

Wouldn't that be sweet?

[blue60007]

Don't share the whole drive. Just create or use another folder to share. Right click on that folder and enable sharing.

You may have to enable file and printer sharing in the connection properties.

[bailey]

you made no mention of which windows you were useing, and did not say that you were useing a router between the modem and the computers on the network. I would recommend your useing a router connected to the modem, and all the computers connected to the router, but that is beside the point.

simple file shareing will do just fine but only share a folder to place all the files you want to share,

connecting the computer directly to the modem, and shareing the entire hard drive is asking for big problems, as anyone on the system will be able to have acesse to all the files on your computer, the router is a hardware firewall and the system will not see your computers,

[Snyper_20]

TUTORIAL, YAY...Happy now, let's see about that when I finish...

Windows is the most user-friendly and simple operating system today, unless you go with Mac. The steps you mentioned are basically how windows sets up the network. I am going to assume that you use Windows XP; here are the steps to get this working.

Make sure that both of the computers are plugged into the same router, since you only have one, they should both be wired into one little box that is also connected to the modem.

Now, go into each computer and Click Start -> My Network Places. If you do not see it, then go to the control panel and click "Switch to Classic View" if it isn’t already. Open the icon that is named "Network Connections".

On the left side of the window you should see a link named "Set up a home or small office network"; click that.

A window should come up, click "Next".

Click "Next" again.

Choose "Other" and click "Next" for the third time.

Choose "This computer connects to the internet directly or through a network hub...blah blah blah". Click "View an Example" below the choice you just selected to see what your network should look like. It should be very similar to this picture. Close that picture and click "Next". I am trying to explain to you what you are selecting here, so that you actually understand what you're doing.

Now, it should bring you to a place where you can select how to connect to the internet. Chances are since you have a wired connection, that there are one or two choices; one named "Local Area Connection #x" where x is the connection number , and Local Area Connection is telling you that it is your NIC's (Network Interface Card) hardwire connection. The other choice which you may or may not have is 1394 Connection; this must be enabled on some, if not all, systems to allow the Local Area Connection to function. Anyways, just choose your "Local Area Connection" and click "Next".

You should come to a screen that tells you about the risk of sharing files, I recommend you read this top to bottom, click "Next" afterward. I will tell you how to disable the firewall if it causes a problem.

*conditional*If you had multiple connections it will tell you on this next screen and ask if you would like to choose, or let windows choose for you. Choose the one that windows recommends and click "Next".

This next portion will allow you to enter a short description of your computer, and what it will be called on the network, choose a simplistic name that you feel comfortable with and fill in whatever you want into the description. Remember, no two computers can have the same NAME on the same network. Click "Next".

Now you are going to be required to choose a workgroup name. Make it whatever you want, but remember, the more simplistic, the easier to setup and maintain. "MYHOME" or "HOUSE" should suffice. This is the workgroup that all the computers in your network connect to, and this is practically the backbone to file sharing in my opinion. Click "Next" when you finish.

You should now be at the last screen before setting up the connection, REVIEW ALL THE SETTINGS! It's better to check twice and compute once, than to make a mistake and have to fix it (experience speaking ). Click "Next" if everything is correct.

After it is done just click "Just Finish..." and close it all down and restart even if it doesn't tell you to.

Now you have the computer all setup for file sharing, do the same thing to the other computer on the network.

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Okay, so, you have them both setup and all seems fine, but what's this, I can't find out how to connect to the other.

Remember that computer name you gave each one? If so, good, this is going to make it much easier, if not, then I will teach you how to connect a different way.

___If you remembered the name___

To connect to a computer when you know its name, just go to Start -> Run, and type in the name like so: "\\computername", where computername is the name you gave to your computer (duh). So if I wanted to connect to a computer that I named "Habun", then I would type "\\Habun" and click "OK". After you do this, it should open the window with all the shared files of that computer, congratulations.

___If you forgot the name___read this*

Now, I don't know how you can't remember, but you SHOULD KNOW HOW TO DO THIS ANYWAYS, so you should be reading it even if you did remember.
Go to click Start -> My Network Places. I recommend placing a shortcut of My Network Places on the Desktop if you haven't done so already; this can be done by right-clicking the desktop, going to properties, choosing the "Desktop" tab, clicking "Customize Desktop...", checking the box "My Network Places", and then clicking "Ok" on both the two windows we just brought up.
On the left side of the screen click "View Workgroup Computers". This will then list all the computers connected to your network. If every computer is listed then you did great on setting it up. However, if you're missing one or so then go redo the configuration on setting up a network again. Double click the icon of the computer you want to view to see all of its shared files.

__________________________________________

GREAT, you are able to connect to the computers and share files, now we need to learn how to pick which file/folders to share. You're getting smarter by the second and a little tired, but hold in there a lil longer.

Pick a computer to share a folder on and create a new folder on the desktop.

Choose a file or two and place them in this folder.

Now right-click the folder icon and choose "properties", or if you're still in the folder click "View" on the top toolbar and choose "Customize This Folder...", both ways work.

Choose the tab named "Sharing" and under "Network Sharing and Security" click the blue link if there is one. If there is a blue link it will come up with a new window, choose "Just enable file sharing" and click "Ok", otherwise X the box named "Share this folder on my network" and give it a name. The name does not really distinguish it as much as you may think. Typing a name such as "Computer1's Folder", and "Folder" are not really going to make much of a difference when you view it on the other computer, because it will give the name of the computer hosting the shared files like so: "Folder on Computer1". So just leave the computer's name out of the picture.

Alright, click "Ok" and close that stuff down.

Log onto the other computer. Remember how to find shared files and computers on the network? Good, do this. When you open the target computer and all goes well, then BAM, the folder will be right there. Go ahead, open it up and drag some of the content to your computer if you want .

To unshare a folder, just uncheck the box "Share this folder on my network" and you're set. It may still show up on the other computer(s) if you accessed it before removing it from the target computer.

___________________________________________


Wow, you must be really happy that this is all working. What's that, it's not? Well, let's try disabling that firewall. The firewall for the connection can cause all types of problems, as most firewalls do. But if you configure it correctly and learn how to use them right, then everyone gets along just fine.

Alright, this is how you disable it. Get into "My Network Places" as you should already know how, if not then read up a little ways.

On the left side click "View Network Connections".

Right-click the connection you are using for the network and go to properties. It should be, in most cases, "Local Area Connection".

Go to the tab labeled "Advanced" and uncheck the only box in there ("Protect my computer...blah blah blah") and click "Ok".

Now, try to access the shared files/folders again. Did it work? If it did, which it definately should, then GREAT, otherwise it could still be a configuration problem when you set up the network, or another problem somewhere else. I am too tired to write another couple of pages on troubleshooting as this has taken me about an hour. *Saves it to notepad incase computer crashes *

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Conclusion: This has to be the longest tutorial that I have ever written. I hope it brings everyone joy because I just may develop carpal tunnel at this point. Good luck to everyone that read this, but I am amazed that no one gave a link to somewhere else where all this was written down. I didn't feel like searching or googling it. Any questions, just post or PM, but everything else should be covered somewhere in this forum...the search function is a great tool! Well, have fun guys, I'm still happy (read top if you don't understand)!!

[LA22]

Sorry for stealing your thread David, but I am asuming this will work for a wireless network to?

[blue60007]

Yes, there is a "set up wireless network" too, but the process is the same, and I think either way works.

[David M]

Wow Snyper...I'm impressed! I bookmarked your post. I will read it when I finish my short story "War and Peace"

I have two computers, both of which connect to the same router. The router then connects to a cable modem which of course connects to the cable coming into the house.

Thanks for the help everyone.