I'm in the beginning stages of getting my business up and running and I have a question about setting up a 'home network', if that's what it's called.

Right now I have a HP laptop and a pretty old desktop. I'm planning to purchase a fully loaded desktop within the next few weeks and give the old one to my niece. How do I create my home network so that when I get the new desktop they both print to the same printer and my files are accessible on each? My laptop has built in wireless capability and right now I have comcast cable internet and a router. That's how I connect to the internet. But I can't figure out how to print anything from my laptop without actually connecting it the printer with some type of cable. I can only print from the old desktop that's hooked to the printer. I'm pretty sure I'll need to get a new printer as well. Right now I have a HP 1100 Laserjet and after reading posts here, I think I should probably go ahead and invest in one of the All-in-one printers. Is this making sense? I think I'm confusing myself.

Also, which do you work from most often - laptop or desktop?

Yes, its called a home network.

Several tips to keep you from going insane:

Are these Windows XP Pro computers? If so, stay with WinXP Pro for any new computers. DON'T GET VISTA. AND DON'T GET HOME EDITIONS (or 'Basic') - stick with PROFESSIONAL only!! Trust me on that one. 'Sharing' alone is worth it.

You might have to assert yourself with a company you purchase a computer from to get WinXP Pro, on it, but people are complaining about VISTA so much that companies are honoring sending WinXP Pro out on new computers when requested.

If I must "go Windows", I like HP towers. Why? They are just snappy little computers. HP seems to have done a good job at picking out hardware and software drivers that go together seamlessly, and therefore fast. I do not know much about buying them, however as I use a Mac. Why do I use a Mac? I do not want to deal with spyware and viruses. I also want my money to stretch out for 5 years and not magically have my computer die on year #3. I do purchase HP computers at work, however - so I know they are out there.

I do not use wireless unless I absolutely HAVE to (which is never in a small office environment). Why? Its slower, its more insecure than Ethernet. IMO, why have a slower connection?

If I were to share printers? Ideally I would get a print server that comes in the form of hardware and kind of looks like a hub. I think Linksys has one, or they should anyway! But, my tendency would just be to set the printer to "shared" and then have all the computers networked. You will likely want sharing on your computers anyway, so why not?

If you have a Workgroup? RENAME IT. In other words, Windows computers come with a workgroup by default called Workgroup. My fear in that is if you leave your computer wide open (no firewalls, no protection) its just one more step closer to sharing your business with anyone near you if you use wireless.

Do you have a router now? Did you rename the administrative login and password!?! If not? RUN, don't walk and do that! The last thing you want is someone hacking in because you did not change the default username, password and wireless access name!

Do you notice a trend in SECURITY in my writing? Please, for the sake of data security, take it seriously. It does not have to be hard to do, either.
I do not know what kind of work you intend on doing, but....all our customers deserve for their data to be SAFE.

Ideas:
Microsoft Word docs can be set to password protected, networks should be safe from intrusion on MORE THAN ONE level. What do I mean by that? Software firewall (ZoneAlarm), hardware firewall (Linksys hardware), having your computer password protected (CTR-ALT-Delete to lock your computer), encryption on files. Its like at home. To be the most secure? Have motion lights outside, have a dog that barks, hang bells on the door knob, in addition to a security system. Mac computers have a software program that takes photos of people who steal their computer and sends the data to them.

I apologize that I can't speak readily on sharing printers wirelessly (but, I can find out for you if you give me time). Why? I do not believe, for myself, in going wireless when I am in proximity to all my stuff. The only times I do that research is just to keep my skill set up-to-date. Then again, my day job forbids bluetooth and wireless in our buildings, so I have an excuse. : )

There are also USB hubs that, I think, can be configured to share. If the printer has Ethernet capabilities? They have Ethernet hubs. Don't let the wireless "coolness" factor get in the way of realizing that wireless is not the best, its just one way that is out there to connect.

In any event -- you have some research to do! But, don't take my word for it. And, if you do want my word for it? Let me ask my husband for specifics. He stays home all the time and researches 24/7.

Lesley

Dear BizSupportMuse:

Vista works fine on new computers. Networking is a breeze on Vista. The only thing you need to watch for is program compatibility. If you are using old software then buy a computer using XP. You could go for gold and buy a Mac.

You need to configure your printer for wireless. Does your printer have ethernet capability? If it does do a direct connect with an ethernet cable to your router. I have a blog entry on this at http://www.olindaservices.com/osblog/archives/104. If you don't have ethernet capability on the printer then you need to go into the computer your printer is connected to and configure it to be shared.

Don't stress over equipment. If your "old" computer and printer are working for you then just learn to configure them to meet your needs and upgrade after you have the kinks worked out in your network. You can spend a lot of money on things you don't need.

__________________
Lisa Olinda of Olinda Services
Keeping you on the path to success!
www.olindaservices.com

I have a Dell desktop w/ XP Pro and 2 laptops, an older Toshiba w/ XP and a new Toshiba w/ Vista. My computer guy has been telling me to stay away from Vista, but it was a deal I couldn't pass up, so far I haven't had any issues.

Anyway, I have the desktop hooked up to my scanner and Brother laser printer and it's on cable internet. Then I have a color HP inkjet that is hooked up to a wireless print router. I use secured wireless internet for both laptops and don't notice much difference in internet speed. I have all my files and software on the desktop and access it via logmein from the laptops. I use logmein in lieu of a network because I can access it from anywhere. I don't store files on the laptops for security reasons.

I use logmein pro so I can print to my laser printer from the laptop if I'm at home or I can print to a local printer wherever I'm at.

__________________
Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

I looked up your printer and it does not support ethernet. Here are the instructions to share in Windows XP.
To share the printer, I opened the Printers and Faxes folder on the computer that was connected to my printer.

Go the control panel and open your printers & faxes folder. Click on the HP1100 icon click on "Share This Printer" You then go in the properties and click on the sharing tab. Click on Share Name, and then click okay.

Now take into account I just did that from memory because I am not running XP but Vista. There may be a few small differences. Hope this helps.

__________________
Lisa Olinda of Olinda Services
Keeping you on the path to success!
www.olindaservices.com

thank you all so much for the input. Here are a few more details: the older desktop(6 years old) that I am using now that has the printer and router hooked to it has Windows XP on it. The newer (2 years old) laptop that I have has Windows Vista on it. As I said, I am planning to buy a brand new desktop in the next few weeks and I assumed it would have to have Vista installed. The laser printer I have is is fairly old as well (probably about 6 years old) and that's one of the reasons I'm anticipating buying a brand new one. Bottom line is I want to be able to work from my laptop in the bedroom or kitchen and still print to the printer in my home office as well as access my email and/or most of my other documents without having to keep switching between the two computers (if possible). I realize this might not be an option for every single documents because the desktop may have software that the laptop doesn't have so I wouldn't be able to open/edit it anyway.

My hubby just bought a Dell notebook & paid extra for them to put Window XP on it. We hate Vista that much. It is the ME of our generation. I have a few friends in computer IT support & they all run from Vista.

An alternative if you have both computers on a home network is to put files in the "shared folder" & you could have access to them from whatever computer you're deciding to use for the day (or hour or whatever). My husband is my backup so sometimes we email each other but most times we use the "shared folder."

I'm no computer guru but I've learned how to fix lots of stuff on the computer because I've screwed lots of things up in the learning process. My first computer was in 1986 so I only screw things up monthly now instead of daily (lol!)