I've set up a workgroup for my two computers. Now how do I get them to share ALL the files?

Question

Right now I can only see the files in the "Shared Files" folder. But I want to be able to manipulate anything from either computer. I'm using Windows XP Home.

Answer 1

- Go into 'My Computer'
- Right click on the drive you want to share (e.g C:\)
- Click on 'Sharing and Security'
- Click on 'If you understand the risk but want to share the root of the drive click here'
- Rename it to whatever you like.
- Click on 'OK'

You should be able to see this drive on your other networked PC.

Answer 2

First guy is full of **** and has no idea what he's talking about. Second guy talks about networks when you already have it set up, so that's useless crap. Third guy's right, but you should be careful of sharing your entire hard drive, because if someone gains access to your network, he has authority to do pretty much whatever he wants, be it stealing your private information or messing around with you. It's generally safer to just share individual folders than drives. The steps are the same as above, except you just right click on the folder you want to share and enable sharing.

Answer 3

There are two approaches to this :-
1. Open MY COMPUTER and right click on drive letter and put entire drive on sharing.
2. Go to START -> ACC-> Communication -> Remote Desktop Connection and simply put the I.P. Address of that network card which is connecting to your target computer and click connect. Then just enter username/password of any user account of the remote computer and do whatever u want to based on permissions of the account on the remote computer.

Answer 4

That's impossible. It's built-in to windows so that all you can see is the shared folder for security purposes.

Answer 5

You must establish a network. You can download free help on the net to do thisd unless your brand of computer offers it. (most will) For Dell it is

Technical Information





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What Is a Wireless Network?

A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a series of interconnected PCs that communicate over the air waves as if they were connected with wires. In a Wireless Local Area Network, a radio communications device called an access point or wireless router connects network computers and provides Internet or network access. The access point or wireless router is small and lightweight with an antenna attached to it that sends data back and forth over the air waves.

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What Does It Take To Establish a Wireless Network?

Wireless Internet Access Checklist
Sign up for High-Speed (Broadband) Internet Access (such as Cable or DSL). Learn More About Broadband

A Broadband Modem that is connected and working. Learn More About Broadband Modems

A Wireless Router. Learn More About Wireless Routers

A Wireless Network Adapter for each computer that will connect wirelessly. Learn More About Wireless Network Adapters




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How Do I Set Up a New Wireless Network?

Connect Your Wireless Router and Broadband Modem


NOTE: To successfully complete the steps below:

Ensure that you have "wired" Internet access through your broadband modem before attempting to establish a wireless Internet connection.
To complete the installation process, use the order of restarting your wireless equipment as described below, or the connection could fail.
Your wireless router might have been shipped with an installation CD. Such CD's usually contain installation and troubleshooting information. Load the required software according to the manufacturer's instructions.



Shut down your computer.
Disconnect the power from your broadband modem.
NOTE: Leave the broadband modem powered-off for a minimum of 5 minutes.

Make sure there is no power to your wireless router.
Using CAT 5 or CAT 5e Ethernet cable, connect both the powered-down broadband modem and wireless router, as shown in Figure 1.
NOTE: As you follow the next steps:
Make sure there are no other cables (CAT 5 or USB) leading from your broadband modem to any other device.
Power-down any computers that may have wireless cards already installed.


Broadband Modem to Wireless Router Connection

Figure 1
Using CAT 5 or CAT 5e Ethernet cable, connect your powered-down wireless router to your powered-down computer as shown in Figure 2.

Broadband Modem to Wireless Router Connection

Figure 2

NOTE: To complete the installation process, use the order of restarting your wireless equipment as described below, or the connection could fail.

Power-up your broadband modem ONLY and wait for no less than two minutes for the broadband modem to stabilize.
After two minutes, leave the broadband modem powered-up and proceed to the next step.
Power-up your wireless router and wait for no less than two minutes for the wireless router to stabilize.
After two minutes, leave the wireless router powered-up and proceed to the next step.
Power up your computer and wait until the boot process completes.
Have in front of you:
Any specific connection information requirements for your broadband modem from your Internet Service Provider.
The setup information for your wireless router.
NOTE: Follow the wireless router manufacturer's instructions using your computer which is "wired" to your wireless router which is "wired" to your broadband modem.

Establish communication between your computer and your wireless router.
Configure your wireless router to communicate with your broadband router.
TIP! You may need to supply specific information to your wireless router in order for it to communicate with your broadband modem which, in turn, communicates with the Internet. This information will be supplied by your Internet Service Provider.

Find out your wireless router's broadcasted name.
TIP! Think of your wireless router as your own personal miniature radio station. In order to "tune in" to your wireless router, you need to know the name of your "radio station". The technical term for the name of your "radio station" is SSID or network name. SSID stands for Service Set Identifier.

Configure your wireless card to connect to the wireless network.
Configure Your Wireless Card to Connect to the Wireless Network
Click Start, and then click Network Connections.
The Network Connections page appears.
Right-click the Wireless Network Connection and then click Properties.
The General tab within the Wireless Network Connection Properties appears.
Click the Wireless Networks tab.
Click the Add button located on the bottom left of the window.
The Wireless Network Properties appear.
Type the SSID or network name into the field next to Network name (SSID).
From the drop-down box next to Data Encryption choose Disabled. If the wireless network requires security, choose the appropriate options for Network Authentication, Data Encryption, and then type in the encryption key into the Network key field.


NOTE: The Passphrase setting or any key generator that populates the encryption or network keys will not work with Dell wireless cards. Disable Passphrase or the key generator located on the wireless router or Access Point. Dell Wireless cards do not support 152, 256, or 512 WEP encryption. Dell branded wireless routers or Access Points will not contain these proprietary security features.

Click OK.
The Wireless Network Properties disappears.
Click OK.
The Wireless Network Connection Properties disappear.
A successful wireless connection can be seen in the system tray where the clock is.

NOTE: If you still cannot connect to the Internet wirelessly, refer to the Troubleshooting section.

Professional Setup Available

Would you like professional setup of your wireless network?

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/sna.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~topic=wireless_homeinstall
NOTE: To view the information located at the link above you must currently be connected to the Internet. You can use the same URL on a different Internet connected computer if this one does not have an Internet connection at this time.

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How Do I Connect To An Existing Wireless Network?

Click Start, then click Network Connections.
The Network Connections page appears.
Right-click the Wireless Network Connection and then click Properties.
The General tab within the Wireless Network Connection Properties appears.
Click the Wireless Networks tab.
Click the Add button located on the bottom left of the window.
The Wireless Network Properties appear.
Type the SSID or network name into the field next to Network name (SSID).
From the drop-down box next to Data Encryption choose Disabled if the wireless network does not require security settings. If the wireless network requires security, choose the appropriate options for Network Authentication, Data Encryption, and then type in the encryption key into the Network key field.
NOTE: The Passphrase setting or any key generator that populates the encryption or network keys will not work with Dell wireless cards. Disable Passphrase or the key generator located on the wireless router or Access Point. Dell Wireless cards do not support 152, 256, or 512 WEP encryption. Dell branded wireless routers or Access Points will not contain these proprietary security features.

Click OK.
The Wireless Network Properties disappear.
Click OK.
The Wireless Network Connection Properties disappear.