Networking software

[patrick]

im looking at networking magic but its too expensive for me. cuz im lookin at 4-5 comps i want to network network magic is esasy to use im wondering if anyone knows of a good software i can use that is very similar to that.

[ktkendall]

You really don't need any 3rd party software to network a few machines together. Give a more specific description as to your needs there, specifically what OS is on each machine and what else will be included in that network and we can help out. Best thing about doing it yourself is that U learn along the way how to do it and then your much more equipped to troubleshoot the network when problems arrive. Windows networking is really not hard at all.. I do not even like the windows networking wizard because people learn nothing from it and then do not have a clue what to do when there are problems or if the wizard does not exactly set everything up correctly, although if you really want something automatic then save your money and just use the windows networking wizard.

[patrick]

ok i have 4 pcs atm that i want to use on a network

PC 1- has XP home on it and has 1 printer (i want to share the printer w/ all of the other comps)(is wireless if it matters)

PC 2- has vista home premium

PC 3- has XP home (might have a printer at a later time)

PC 4- has XP home (laptop has wireless internet if t matters)

all are desktops except PC 4

[Panama Red]

Besides sharing files and printer are you looking at sharing the internet connection too? What type of internet provider are you using? Windows has all the software/wizards built in but we need to know what hardware you have or need to buy.

[ktkendall]

Are you going to have broadband internet and a router??

[patrick]

yes i have 2 routers one wireless the other is not wireless the wireless one is D-Link and the wired one is linksys

[ktkendall]

Let the router give out IP addresses via dhcp and just enable file and printer sharing and then give the actual folders and or printers that you want to share permission. Workgroup name must be identical on each PC but each PC name must be unique.