Linking PC's Over wireless to access files

Irish Gunner · 01-02-2012 10:52pm #1

Tried the google route but there is so much garbage out there...

I have 2 PCs and one laptop. What I want is for them all to share files and that I can have access to them all. At the moment one PC in Attic and this is wired to Router. 2nd Desktop in spare room run off wireless and laptop downstairs run off wireless. At times I need files from the desktop in attic and want to export them to laptop. At the moment I just put them onto usb stick and transfer across. I am looking for access so that the Desktop drive is on the laptop..this possible?

Looked at Homegroup and dropbox or is the cloud the only option?

Thanks

FSL · 02-02-2012 9:44am

Just set up a local network and share whichever folders you want to be accessed by other computers on the network.

Homegroup only works if all the computers are running Windows 7.

Just set up a normal workgroup. Make sure all the PC's are being assigned an IP address by the router. Turn on printer and file sharing. Share any folders and printers you want to make accessible to the network.

chin_grin · 02-02-2012 9:58am

Also you might want to actually assign IP's to each device instead of them being dynamically assigned. (Control Panel - Network Connections). That's in case you lose your shared folders. Well, lost the connection not lose the folders.

You could test it by sharing a folder\drive on one machine (right click - sharing).

Then go to command prompt and type ipconfig.

Now on another pc go to start run type \\<ip address of other pc with shared folder>

For example: \\192.168.1.25

And press enter.

A window should load up and the shared folder/drive should be visible. You can then map this as a network drive.

Irish Gunner · 07-02-2012 11:29pm

Thanks for this

All the PCs have windows 7 installed. When I click on a folder to share it has the options to share with

Nobody
Homegroup(Read)
Homegroup(Read/Write)
Specify People

To use homegroup what do I need to do? Do I need to assign a unique IP address to each of them and if so what is the dummys guide? I set up a static IP address for one of the PC for downloading, taken from portforward.com

Is it easier to share by homegroup and what is the dummys guide

Thanks

FSL · 08-02-2012 10:12am

If they are all Windows 7 then just set up Homegroup.

Personally I would just set up a Workgroup as Homegroup just seems to restrict sharing to W& machines.

fionny · 08-02-2012 11:32am

Here is a guide to setting up a homegroup for yourself:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IE/windows7/help/home-sweet-homegroup-networking-the-easy-way

ScumLord · 08-02-2012 3:44pm

If your willing to spend money you can get hard drive enclosures that will act like a file server and be accessible by all computers. The advantage being your not depending on any particular computer to be on and connected to the network.

bonzodog2 · 08-02-2012 3:50pm

Some routers, e.g. the Vodafone Huawei HG556A, allow hard disks to be plugged in with USB.

Irish Gunner · 08-02-2012 6:41pm

ScumLord wrote: »

If your willing to spend money you can get hard drive enclosures that will act like a file server and be accessible by all computers. The advantage being your not depending on any particular computer to be on and connected to the network.

Be interested in this how and where can I find more information and how does it work are we talking big dosh ?

ScumLord · 08-02-2012 7:39pm

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Be interested in this how and where can I find more information and how does it work are we talking big dosh ?

It's called Network Attached Storage. Here's a load of them on Komplett .

Irish Gunner · 08-02-2012 10:34pm

ScumLord wrote: »

It's called Network Attached Storage. Here's a load of them on Komplett .

Thanks for that

Excuse my ignorance but new to these so is the below possible?:o

Have Desktop in attic and have Cat cable going down to Router in back bedroom. Have another desktop in spare room and this is wireless. Also have laptop and this is wireless all on the same network

What I want to do is to access files from all of these PC's so would I have to move the files to the NAS?
If I wanted to stream movies from the NAS to my TV would that be possible?
Would the NAS need to be connected to the router or elsewhere?

Anyone got a high level dummy's guide to these and then I can choose which to buy if I want to buy at all

Thanks

ScumLord · 08-02-2012 11:58pm

Irish Gunner wrote: »

What I want to do is to access files from all of these PC's so would I have to move the files to the NAS?

Pretty much, all the PCs would basically see the NAS as a hard drive.

fionny · 09-02-2012 10:08am

Note if your streaming HD stuff you really need to be on a wired connection ideally that is gigabit. Wireless is really iffy for streaming HD I have found, even the wireless N...

There really is no replacing a good wired connection.

Irish Gunner · 09-02-2012 10:59am

Thanks so is the below correct

I buy the NAS and can keep this in the attic but it has to be on all the time to access Correct ?

What comes with a NAS is it just a hard drive that plug and play or does it have to be connected direclty into router?

On UPC 100mb so speeds good and have films on Attic PC and put these onto USB stick for watching on main tv. Wondering if I get an NAS I can put the films onto this and then play via TV. No HD films

Cheers

FSL · 09-02-2012 11:56am

A NAS device is attached to the router. If the TV is attached to the router by cable then it will stream HD no problem. If it is attached by wireless then streaming HD can be hit and miss because of RF interference and signal fluctuations.

Nothingbetter2d · 09-02-2012 1:32pm

setup the home group on the wired pc then join the other two into the wired pc's home group... you can get the password off the wired pc which you must use on the other 2 for it to work

Nothingbetter2d · 09-02-2012 1:33pm

FSL wrote: »

A NAS device is attached to the router. If the TV is attached to the router by cable then it will stream HD no problem. If it is attached by wireless then streaming HD can be hit and miss because of RF interference and signal fluctuations.

using an N type wifi router and N type wifi cards/dongles really helps improve wifi streaming.

fionny · 10-02-2012 10:09am

Even with N HD struggles, to the point that I gave up and wired it and never looked back.

Irish Gunner · 10-02-2012 10:15am

Ok problem is that I need to connect the NAS to the router. The router is in the back bedroom but I want the NAS to be up in the attic. There is a Cat cable going from router into attic for connection to PC would I require another Cat cable to connect to the NAS?

Cheers

fionny · 10-02-2012 10:17am

Short Answer is yes.

I honestly dont think a NAS is a good idea for you, You will still need to setup network drives on the computers involved etc.. and no offense but if you cannot connect existing computers together then the NAS will be much the same.

I would try setting up the network for yourself first and see how you get on before you go spending the bucks.

Nothingbetter2d · 10-02-2012 5:51pm

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Ok problem is that I need to connect the NAS to the router. The router is in the back bedroom but I want the NAS to be up in the attic. There is a Cat cable going from router into attic for connection to PC would I require another Cat cable to connect to the NAS?

Cheers

if you have a power socket in the attic u could use a pair of powerline adapters from the router to the nas

Linking PC's Over wireless to access files

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