NETWORKING TUTORIAL

 

Networking Windows XP Home Edition Computers With TCP/IP

 

Why Network? Primarily to share folders, printers, and internet access.

 

Basic Principles. All Windows networking depends on similar principles. You must create the same user name and password (or no password) on each computer. You must log on with that user name and password. You must be in the same workgroup. You must have the same protocol on each computer. (Default protocol is TCP/IP). You must run the Network SetupWizard. You must enable file and print sharing in Windows 98 and Windows Millenium. (It occurs automatically in Windows 2000 and Windows XP.) You must create a shared folder so that you can see if your networking is successful. You must configure the firewalls in Norton Security to allow communication between computers. (You must disable the XP firewall.) This tutorial addresses each of these tasks.

 

This tutorial assumes that all computers are connected to the internet through a Cable/DSL Router and Cable/DSL Modem, and you have Norton Internet Security installed on your computers. A Cable/DSL Router only costs about $70. Your internet service provider provides the Cable/DSL Modem.

I have broken the process down to nine steps.

I.                   Create a user account. Each computer must have the same user account name.

II.                Create a workgroup. Each computer must have the same workgroup name.

III.             Run the Network Setup Wizard.

IV.            Create a folder to be shared.

V.               Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.

VI.            Disable the Windows XP firewall.

VII.         Configure Norton Internet Security so the computers can see each other.

VIII.      Check My Network Connections to see if you have successfully networked your computers.

IX.            Finally I will show you how to network your printer.

 

I. Create a User name – All computers must have the same user name and password (if you are using a password).

 

1.      Go to Start -> Control Panel -> User Accounts .

2.      Click on Create a new account.

 

 

3.       Type in the name for the account and click Next.

 

 

4. Select Computer administrator and click on Create Account.

 

 

II. The Workgoup name must be the same for each computer.

To join a workgroup:

  1. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance -> System.
  2. Open System in Control Panel.
  3. Use any computer name you wish.
  4. Under Member of, click Workgroup, type the name of the workgroup that you want to join, and then click OK.

Notes

 

 

 

 

III. Run Network Setup Wizard

 

  1. I am assuming that your computers are connected to the internet through a Cable/DSL Router and Cable/DSL Modem.
  2. Run networking wizard. Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Communications -> Network Setup Wizard.
  3. Click Next.

 

 

4. Click Next.

 

 

5.Select the middle button as shown below. A residential gateway is your Cable/DSL Router. Click Next.

 

 

6.Select a computer name. And click Next.

 

 

 

7.Select a Workgroup name, or use the default name MSHOME. All the computers in your network must have the same Workgroup name. Click Next.

 

 

8. Turn on file and printer sharing. Click Next.

 

 

 

9.Check the wizard settings and click Next.

 

 

10.Select Just finish the wizard. (This tutorial is for Windows XP only.) Click Next.

 

 

11.Click Finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV. Create a Folder to Share.

 

1.      Windows XP needs a shared folder or printer for networking. Start -> My Computer -> Your Documents -> File -> New -> Folder. Right click

on the folder you created and select Sharing and Security…

                                             

  1. Select Share this folder on the network.

 

 

 

3. Click Apply and OK.

 

 

 

V. Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP

 

  1. Go to Start -> My Network Places -> View Network Connections

      Click on View network connections.

 

 

 

  1. Right click on Local Area Connection and select Properties.

 

 

 

  1. Highlite Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

 

 

4.Click on Properties.

 

 

5. Click on Advanced.

 

 

6.Select the WINS tab.

 

 

7. Select Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP as shown above. Click OK -> OK -> Close.

Note: You should recheck these steps, to be sure Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP is checked. This is very important.

 

 

 

VI. Disable Windows XP Firewall

 

1.      You must disable the Windows XP Firewall to enable file sharing, but do not do so unless you have Norton Internet Security on your computer. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Network and Internet Connections

       2. Select Change Windows Firewall settings .

 

3.And select Off. Then click OK.

 

 

 

VII. Change firewall settings in Norton Internet Security to allow the computers to see each other.

 

1.      Go to Start -> All Programs -> Norton Internet Security

2.      Double click the Personal Firewall.

 

3.      Select the Networking tab.

 

 

4.      Click on the Trusted box. Fill in the IP address of your network and the network mask. It will probably be the same as shown here.

 

 

 

 

5. Restart your computer and repeat this process for each computer you want to network.

 

VIII. We will now check to see if the computers are networked.

 

1.      Go to My Network Places

      2. Here my computer names are Xp1 and Xp2. You can see shared folders on both        computers. The computers have been networked.

 

 

 

IV.  I will now show you how to share a printer over your network.

 

1.      Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Printers and Other Hardware -> Add a Printer

      2.Click Next.

 

 

 

 

3.Select the second radio button, A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer and click Next.

 

 

 

 

4.Click on Browse for a printer.

 

5. Double click on MSHOME and browse to the printer you want.

 

6.Click Next.

 

 

7. Select Yes, if you want this printer to be your default printer.

 

 

 

8.Click on Finish.

 

 

9.Your network printer is now installed.