Hi,

I am just getting the nerve to start my home network. I have a laptop and desktop both physically connected to a wireless router. I have 2 desktops downstairs that have wireless antennas/recievers. All computers are XP Home.

I want to network, and I have bought a "network for dummies" book. It does not tell me how to go about making sure I configure everything right.

Do I "add a network place," "set up a home or small office network," or "set up a wireless network" first?

Anyhelp to get started would be appreciated. Also, can I make it secure so no-one can just add themselves to my network?

Thank you so much.

You are better off forgetting all the wizards and following a home networking guide that does not use them.

You can find them from Google or these very forums.

I am looking for a good how-to guide. Do you have any recommendations?> I have never done this, and the search did not bring up any how-to guides I could find.

Nodsu is right, wizards bad, especially when trying to set up wireless in a machine that also has a NIC card... bridges bad...
These might be of some use to you:
www.homenethelp.com
www.practicallynetworked.com

Check out the following for some basic help: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1427
or the Netgear site (http://www.netgear.co.uk) has some useful basic guides on networking.