Forum Home
Press F1
Thread ID: 138429	2014-11-28 08:33:00	Confused over network technology wi-fi and homegroup	Digby (677)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1389133	2014-11-28 08:33:00	Hi guys I can usually get networks going, but when I do it is always more by luck rather than skill. I have a windows desktop And a wireless router. I have set up the router so that a friend can log into it and use my broadband. Now I want to connect a second pc to my desktop so that I can access files on it etc. Does this mean that I will have two networks set up. The wireless one (on the router) and a windows 8 home group ? Or should I just have one network (on my windows pc) and somehow let my friend log into to it just to use the internet?	Digby (677)
1389134	2014-11-28 08:49:00	Personally wouldn't go using Homegroups -they cause more troubles than what they are worth. Use standard network setups. Couple of things that make it easy. ( famous last words) Make sure the computers are on the same workgroup (doesn't matter what OS) - Share the folders you want to have others access to. ( this will depend on what OS as to how you share W7 to W10 require a two step sharing and it works 99% of the time). You DONT need to have passwords to access, again this will depend on how they are shared - different OS's are slightly different, XP - W10 w7 -W10 you disable "password protected sharing" in the advanced sharing options. As long as all the computers are connected to the same router they should see each other - doesn't matter if wireless or Ethernet connected, in theory you can have 254 computers connected.	wainuitech (129)
1389135	2014-11-30 03:13:00	Thanks for the heads up re Homegroups. I will go for a Workgroup. I am still not sure if I should leave the present wireless sharing I have set up on my router for my friends and set up a new network workgroup for me with my two pcs At present my friends just use my wifi - to access the web and email etc. But later they may wish to use my printer.	Digby (677)
1389136	2014-11-30 04:54:00	Okay, simple solution then :) When you share a folder you can set permissions so only certain people can access it. The other Option ( which is similar) is leave password protected sharing enabled, that way anyone trying to access the shares will have to put in a user name and password, as long as the friends dont know yours, then they cant get in. You can of course yourself, because once you enter your own user name and password, you have the option for it to remember it ( so you wont be prompted again)	wainuitech (129)
1389137	2014-12-06 01:08:00	I am still confused. Why is so hard. I now have two windows 8 .1 machines connected to a wireless router. The wireless router network is called Netgear89 I set up a workgroup on my desk top. And shared some folders I went into the laptop and under change computer name entered the same workgroup name. But when I look at Networks on the Laptop I cannot see the workgroup. But I can connect via the Netgear89 network. Then when I try to access the shared folders I can see them but when I click on one it says "Cannot access the Computer \\name" If I try 3 or times it does. I really want the laptop to use the workgroups network (as I was advised to) And I'd like to be able to access the shared folders quickly the first time.	Digby (677)
1389138	2014-12-06 01:21:00	Disable password protected sharing on both. You dont need it When you shared a folder did you select everyone?	Speedy Gonzales (78)
1389139	2014-12-06 01:40:00	Sounds like they are not fully shared -- you have to remember the sharing is using server style permissions. ( has been since Vista) Heres how (From the beginning / New share) Go to the folder you want to share, right click it / properties / Sharing tab, Make sure its shared. 6067 In the drop Down box that appears, select everyone ( assuming you want everyone to share) give them what permissions you want ( several available) 6068 Click DONE on the next window that appears. Second part to sharing and this one gets most people: Back on the original share tab, click Advanced sharing / Tick Share this folder / Click Permissions / Make sure boxes are ticked as shown ( follow the arrows) 6069 IF you still have password protected sharing ON, anyone trying to open a shared folder over the LAN will be prompted for your user name /Password, IF you have it OFF its open to anyone that has access to the network.	wainuitech (129)
1389140	2014-12-06 04:09:00	Thanks that Sharing for everyone seems to have fixed it.	Digby (677)
1389141	2014-12-06 08:38:00	One thing that makes windows networking a lot easier is to use the same account/login name and password on your machines. Not Ideal on shared networks but great for personal ones. The above solution makes it unnecessary though.	dugimodo (138)
1389142	2014-12-06 19:33:00	None of these have passwords . All I do, is turn on network discovery, make sure they're in the same workgroup (I usually disable Homegroup, dont need it), disable password protected sharing, create folder / share it and select everyone thats it.	Speedy Gonzales (78)
1 2