SENERIO: I have a desktop and lap top. The desktop is connected to the
internet thru a high speed modem. The laptop is connected by a wireless
router. Both are running Windows XP Home Edition and have their individual
printers. I mainly want to be able to share information in files so that
both computers can view the same material. I have MS Office 2007 on the
desktop and MS Office 2003 on the laptop.
1) Can I create a home network with this type of set up?
2) If so, is any other hardware needed?
3) Do I need to have the same Office program on both?
4) Do I start with using the Network Setup Wizard?
5) What am I forgetting?
Any and all info/assistance will be greatly appreciated. I’m far from a
computer wiz, so be gentle.

Thanks ... Dean

Dean,

A good place to start is Start/Help and Support and type Networking. You'll
find all you need to know there.

Milt

"Dean" wrote:

> SENERIO: I have a desktop and lap top. The desktop is connected to the
> internet thru a high speed modem. The laptop is connected by a wireless
> router. Both are running Windows XP Home Edition and have their individual
> printers. I mainly want to be able to share information in files so that
> both computers can view the same material. I have MS Office 2007 on the
> desktop and MS Office 2003 on the laptop.
> 1) Can I create a home network with this type of set up?
> 2) If so, is any other hardware needed?
> 3) Do I need to have the same Office program on both?
> 4) Do I start with using the Network Setup Wizard?
> 5) What am I forgetting?
> Any and all info/assistance will be greatly appreciated. I’m far from a
> computer wiz, so be gentle.
>
> Thanks ... Dean
>

On Mar 1, 9:39 am, Dean <dean.hau...@cox.net/No Spam> wrote:
> SENERIO: I have a desktop and lap top. The desktop is connected to the
> internet thru a high speed modem. The laptop is connected by a wireless
> router. Both are running Windows XP Home Edition and have their individual
> printers. I mainly want to be able to share information in files so that
> both computers can view the same material. I have MS Office 2007 on the
> desktop and MS Office 2003 on the laptop.
> 1) Can I create a home network with this type of set up?
> 2) If so, is any other hardware needed?
> 3) Do I need to have the same Office program on both?
> 4) Do I start with using the Network Setup Wizard?
> 5) What am I forgetting?
> Any and all info/assistance will be greatly appreciated. I'm far from a
> computer wiz, so be gentle.
>
> Thanks ... Dean

Check with the high speed modem so as to see if it uses a Ethernet
(RJ-45) type connection to connect to the desktop. If yes, then you
should be able to connect the modem to the wireless router and then
connect the desktop to this router also. Most wireless router allow
for a "wired" PC to connect to it or you could add a compatible
wireless network adapter to the desktop.

Then, you can run the Network Setup wizard and have both "join" the
same workgroup.

As for Office 2007 / 2003, Office 2007 will read directly Office 2003
file. However, Office 2007 files may have to be "told" to save its
files wilt Office 2003 compatibility.

Dean <(E-Mail Removed)/No Spam> wrote:

>SENERIO: I have a desktop and lap top. The desktop is connected to the
>internet thru a high speed modem. The laptop is connected by a wireless
>router. Both are running Windows XP Home Edition and have their individual
>printers. I mainly want to be able to share information in files so that
>both computers can view the same material. I have MS Office 2007 on the
>desktop and MS Office 2003 on the laptop.
>1) Can I create a home network with this type of set up?

It sounds like you mostly do already. The laptop uses a wireless
router, you say. What is that router connected to? In my home, I have
4-port router that's also a wireless access point, that's a pretty
common setup. The router connects to the cable modem, the desktop
plugs into the router. If that's what you've got, you've already got a
home LAN.

>2) If so, is any other hardware needed?

See above. If that doesn't describe your hardware, then tell us what
you have.

>3) Do I need to have the same Office program on both?

No.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(DTS)
(E-Mail Removed)
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt

"Dean" <(E-Mail Removed)/No Spam> wrote
> SENERIO: I have a desktop and lap top. The desktop is connected to the
> internet thru a high speed modem. The laptop is connected by a wireless
> router. Both are running Windows XP Home Edition and have their
> individual
> printers. I mainly want to be able to share information in files so that
> both computers can view the same material. I have MS Office 2007 on the
> desktop and MS Office 2003 on the laptop.
> 1) Can I create a home network with this type of set up?
> 2) If so, is any other hardware needed?
> 3) Do I need to have the same Office program on both?
> 4) Do I start with using the Network Setup Wizard?
> 5) What am I forgetting?
> Any and all info/assistance will be greatly appreciated. I’m far from a
> computer wiz, so be gentle.

Home Networking
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/h...et/default.asp

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

Networking Information
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/networking.htm

PracticallyNetworked Home
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/index.htm

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

On Thu, 1 Mar 2007 06:39:23 -0800, Dean <(E-Mail Removed)/No Spam>
wrote:

>SENERIO: I have a desktop and lap top. The desktop is connected to the
>internet thru a high speed modem. The laptop is connected by a wireless
>router. Both are running Windows XP Home Edition and have their individual
>printers. I mainly want to be able to share information in files so that
>both computers can view the same material. I have MS Office 2007 on the
>desktop and MS Office 2003 on the laptop.
>1) Can I create a home network with this type of set up?
>2) If so, is any other hardware needed?
>3) Do I need to have the same Office program on both?
>4) Do I start with using the Network Setup Wizard?
>5) What am I forgetting?
>Any and all info/assistance will be greatly appreciated. I’m far from a
>computer wiz, so be gentle.
>
>Thanks ... Dean
1) Yes
2) No
3) No
4) You can but don't have to.
5) Your wireless router instructions will tell you everything you
need to know.....