Network Your Home Computers

Computer Care: Networking your PCs is a snap

By Arthur Glazer
arthur@glazerthepctech.com

UPDATED July 18, 2009 12:33 a.m.

Networking your computers can be an asset to your home environment if you have more than one computer. By combining your desktop with your spouse’s laptop and your child’s PC via a home network, there are obvious benefits. All could share one Internet connection, one printer or all have access to many. You would also be able to share files.

Adding wireless to the network could enhance it even more. You would then have the ability to check your e-mail or update your Facebook account from the kitchen table or backyard lounger using a laptop.

Networking has gotten easier since Windows XP and even more so with Vista. With Win 7 coming this fall, it will be even easier still. Not to oversimplify matters, but Windows practically networks for you. The operating systems each have wizards to follow.

Providing you have the proper equipment, you could be up and running in no time. Really.

Assuming you have a broadband connection, DSL or cable, you already have a modem. Some ISPs provide a combination router/modem. If yours is just a modem, then you’ll need a router. This is where you’ll have to decide if you want wired or wireless. Routers start at about $40 and can be purchased at online retailers or locally just about anywhere.

You should have all the cables you need. The router or modem usually ships with both a USB and an Ethernet cable, the one that looks like a fat phone wire. Forget about the USB and use the Ethernet instead. Many people get into trouble thinking both cables need to be used; they don’t.

Depending upon which type of connection you have, you’ll see either a phone wire or a coaxial cable coming from the wall. That’s what you’ll want to connect to the back of your modem. If you have a separate router, use an Ethernet cable from the modem to the router. The router usually has four ports together and one by itself. The one alone is the input, the rest are outputs for a wired network.

Don’t stack the devices if you have two. Keep them at least a foot or more apart as they may cause interference. This is also true of wireless phones on the 2.4 GHz frequency. If you have one on your desk, you may want to find another place for it.

Wireless computing has a range of about 300 feet. It can connect through floors, but you may need to adjust the antennas downward. Metals studs and microwaves may also get in the way. You’ll have to experiment with placement to get an optimum signal.

Should you lose your signal, and you will, you’ll need to reset your modem. Whether it be a thunderstorm or an outage for another reason, rather than call your ISP and wait 45 minutes, do this instead: Unplug both router and modem and wait half a minute. Plug in the modem and wait for the lights to stop flashing, about 15-20 seconds. Then plug the router back in and wait for it to settle down. You should then have your connection back.

Setting up the computers: First you need to make sure all computers involved are called something different and are all in the same workgroup. If you use XP, right-click on My Computer and go to Properties. Under the Computer Name tab, give your system a unique name and click Change to rename the workgroup. Click Apply, OK and reboot.

In Vista, right-click on My Computer and click Properties. Then click on Advanced System Settings on the left, then the Computer Name tab as in XP. Give the computer a unique name and click Change to rename the Workgroup. Agree to everything and reboot.

Next, you’ll need to run the Network Setup Wizard. Depending on what you plan to do, from here on there are options, too many to cover in the constraints of this column. You’ll have to make choices and follow the prompts. They are not difficult; they have explanations and troubleshooters.

Look in Control Panel. From either XP or Vista, click the start button and look on the right column for Control Panel. XP will have both Wireless Setup and Network Setup wizards. Vista has a Network and Sharing Center under Network and Internet. There are various subheadings within that group.

Keep a USB flash drive handy. You’ll need it to save and transfer settings from one computer to the next.

In either OS, whatever it is you want to share is easily done with a right-click. If you want to share the Photos folder for example, right-click on it and choose “Share.” A hand will appear beneath the newly shared folder.

There are lots of other things to cover, including security, but as I mentioned, there’s not enough room here for it all. In a nutshell, don’t ignore it. WEP is good; WPA is better. The system will assist you in choosing. An unsecured system invites hackers and leaves you open to threats.

Worst case scenario, you’ll need to call a local technician. I hear there are a few good ones in town.

Arthur Glazer is a freelance writer and computer technician in Gainesville. His column appears biweekly. Arthur welcomes your computer questions and ideas for future columns.