Starting over with home networking

[rich47]

I have a home network with two desktop computers and a laptop. I'm
able to surf the internet on all the machines and to share files
across the network. Over the years, though, I've added a hard drive
here and there and the number of shared folders has gotten a little
out of hand and a bit confusing. Also, we're about to add one or two
more laptops into the mix. I'd like to start over, if I can, and
allow each computer to see and change files and folders on the other
computers.

What are the step-by-step instructions for disabling what I've set up
and then reestablishing the home network so that all the computers can
surf the internet and share and change files on each other?

Thanks.

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
Files Sharing is Not part of the Network setting per-se, it is part of the
Storage peripherals (Hard Disk, CD/DVD/ Flash Drives, Printers, etc.)
settings.
I would Not touch the network itself.
Reset all the File Sharing back to Do Not Share, and reconfigure all the
networked computers storage Sharing's after you add the two new computers,
and made a decision about sharing.
The following is the pages that cover the Sharing configurations, the same
locations apply to Un-Sharing as well.
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/evaluate/vista_fp.mspx
Basic XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/filesharing.mspx
Advanced XP - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[rich47]

Thanks. I'll look into this.

One more question: if I turn file sharing "off" for a folder does it
automatically apply for all subfolders as well? When I turn it back
"on", do I need to re-enable it for individual folders or do they
revert to their original sharing status?

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
Regular data folders, by default turning on and off a main Folder would
apply to the Subfolders.
Jack (MVP-Networking).