Pratik said:
I want the clients to only log on and use the computers while whatever
they save should be saved on my main computer. Basically... how do i
make this computer a server??
What operating system is the computer running which you want to use as a
server? How many computers in the lan? It is completely possible to use
an XP box as a "server" for a small number of computers. If you have
more than 7 workstations - and depending on what you are using the
"server" for - you may run into the concurrent connections limitation.
Here is information about that:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=314882 - Inbound connections limit in
XP
concurrent connections:
10 for XP Pro/Tablet/MCE
5 for XP Home
49 for SBS 2000
74 for SBS 2003
Unlimited for full Server O/Ses
Concurrent connections does not mean the number of computers in the lan;
one computer can make more than one connection to a server, depending
on what you are doing.
Assuming using XP Pro on the "server" machine works for you, create user
accounts and passwords on the "server" that match the ones on the
workstations. Make a folder for each user on the "server". Obviously
you will need to set up sharing. Then on the workstations, create a
shortcut to each user's folder on the "server". For programs like MS
Office, go into the program options and change the default Save
location to the appropriate folder on the server. Other programs may or
may not let you do this. If you run into a program that won't let you
save to a network location, you will need to teach your users to do a
"Save As" and show them how to Save As to their folder on the "server".
Or you can relocate the workstations' My Documents folder for each user
to the "server".
Malke
