[BlueSmoke]

I've recently purchased a laptop and am thinking of setting up a home network to share my files and printers between my desktop and laptop.

This is what I have:
2wire modem 2701HGV-E.
Laptop running vista, wireless.
Desktop running xp, sp 2, connected to modem using lan.
oki b410d mono printer. Its the version without the lan port.

I've absolutely no idea how to do this at all, so would appreciate help.

Unless I'm totally wrong, the 2wire 2701HGV-E is a router right? So I can set it up and use it to share files and printers between my desktop and laptop.

There's also a usb port in the 2wire 2701HGV-E, can i connect my printer directly to it and then share it?

[DragonFire]

the 2wire 2701HGV-E is a router right? So I can set it up and use it to share files and printers between my desktop and laptop.

Yes. You need to make sure you enable file and print sharing on both. A wizard should exist in Vista for this. I believe you can create "synchronisation" disks through Vista for you laptop to make this work. Once you have connected all machines to the network that is.

There's also a usb port in the 2wire 2701HGV-E, can i connect my printer directly to it and then share it?

No. That is for USB connection to a PC. You will need to use one of your PCs, probably the desktop as a print server and share the printer through that.

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To set up the 2wire, I suggest you thumb through the manual page by page. If you don't understand anything there, do post here and we will try to help. Please make sure you use WEP2 for wireless security. Don't serve your internet connection out on a silver platter for others to download stuff like child pornography or illicit copies of Inuyasha.

DF

[BlueSmoke]

OK, have found the guide for my modem.

However, they only show how to do it for xp.

Fiddling around with vista,
Under network and sharing center,
I need to set the network to private?
And then enable file sharing? Thats all?
But if I set my network to private won't everyone over the net be able to see my files?
Or if I move to another network at work, won't people be able to see my files in my sharing folder too?




Ok about my printer, is it possible to set it up so that it doesn't need the computer that its connected to to be turned on?
I need a print server to do this right?

I've found this AsustekWL-600GADSL2 + AP+USB PrtSer thats being sold at sim lim for 129.
Apparently it acts as a print server in addition to being an adsl modem and router. This is quite useful as I don't want to mess around with so many cables/power plugs. Anyone know if its good?