Networking four laptops using a router without Internet access

[wildcherry]

Hello All,

I would like to share files between 4 laptops (1 host and 3 guest) but do not need internet access. I have a wireless netgear wgr614 router to use and want to know if this is possible. If so, how do I enable all the computers to see each other.

I have been going through the post but did not find one that was like what I need. The post that I found were using the internet and I will not have internet access for this project.

Can this be done using my router only?

 

[DelJo63]

of course

config all PCs to use DHCP (should be the default anyway)

connect all to the router LAN side.

each system will get a unique IP address related to the routers default
eg: if the router is a 192.168.1.1, then all systems will be the same 192.168.1.
and the trailing digit will be unique, {2,3,4,5}

using a command prompt you should be able to ping any other system using the IP addresses, eg

ping 192.168.1.4​

that says they all 'see each other'

1. Now setup Print/File Sharing on one system;
   open any folder and click the Tools menu -> Folder Options
   click View tab and scroll to bottom
   [x] the Use Simple File Sharing
   
   
2. Now enable Print/File Sharing Exception in the firewall
   Control Panel->Windows Firewall
   click Exceptions Tab
   [x] File & Print Sharing

Repeat (1-2) on one other system

This will allow the common Shared Documents
@ \Documents & Settings\ or \Users\ All Users\Shared Documents
to become accessible to all users

You access a Share in two ways

• Map Network Drive
• run \\systemName\shareName

 

[wildcherry]

Hi Jobeard,

Thank you so much for your very easy to understand and detailed explanation. I really appreciate the step-by-step directions. You are awesome!!

 

[DelJo63]

oops; forgot ...

forgot to mention that the workgroup name MUST be the same on all systems

right-click My Computer->properties; click Computer Name tab

Click Network ID button and enter EXCACTLY the same name everywhere,
ALL CAPS

 

[DelJo63]

forgot to mention that the workgroup name MUST be the same on all systems

right-click My Computer->properties; click Computer Name tab

Click Network ID button and enter EXCACTLY the same name everywhere,
ALL CAPS

oops again...(apparently insufficient coffee today)

click the Change button

 

[wildcherry]

Hi Jobeard,

LOL...quite alright. I understand. Thanks again for you detailed information. (Sorry I did not reply right away...I've been away a few days.)

 

[wildcherry]

Hello Jobeard,

Another question. I went through all the steps in the directions. Ping is recognizing the other computer (only trying to see one computer right now). Checked all the steps mentioned in the directions (i.e. print/file sharing, windows firewall, etc.)

I cannot see the test folder that was created on the host machine. I placed the folder in shared documents. Is this correct? Do I need to place the shared folder somewhere else like on the desktop?

Thanks again...

 

[DelJo63]

the Shared Documents folder (found @ \Documents & Settings\All Users)
should be easily accessed - - solve this first.

Other folders in the C:\ area or within a users profile (seen with run->cmd and enter cd %userprofile%)
need special handling.

Do you have XP/Pro or XP/Home edition? it matters

 

[wildcherry]

Hi Jobeard,

I have XP Pro. OK, then the folder i created is in the correct place as you mentioned (Docs&Settings\All Users). This laptop has never had the router sofware installed. Do I need to install the router software and disable the firewall?

Sorry to be a pain...I feel like i am almost there but not quite.

Thanks again...

 

[DelJo63]

NO! A router has no software requirements *IF*

modem--->router​

is using the Ethernet connection; A USB connection would need it.

If you can PING every system, then the issues are in the Pring/File sharing setup.

... got to run to a presentation ... will get back to you soon ....

 

[DelJo63]

... back again

using an Admin account, go to \Documents & Settings\All Users\
right-click Shared Documents->Properties->click Sharing tab (only visable using Admin )

(X) Share this Folder
Share Name: enter a one-word name, eg SharedDocs [hint: makes accessing simpler]

To set permissions .. over the network , click Permissions button
default is Everyone, Full Control, Change & Read
READ is the minimum

at the bottom View your Firewall settings

If this is on systemA and the others are named system{B,C,D} then these
will access this share

1. mapped network drive
2. \\systemA\SharedDocs

 

[wildcherry]

Resolved

Jobeard, you are awesome. It worked. I had to plug each cable in one at a time (cause the IP's kept dropping) then checked thru ipconfig, then went to the next cable. I just needed to slow down.

Thanks so much for your help!! It was very much appreciated. One more question...how do I close this question?

 

[DelJo63]

Good Job :wave:

Now as to organization:

Shared Documents is designed for sharing between users on the same computer.
What we have done is to also make that folder available to ALL users on your Lan (ie all four systems attached to your router).
Basically, it is now a 'common repository'

Each user can create a folder that is located in their personal directories
(albeit, an Admin will be necessary to set any permission changes).

Same rules; use a single-word Share Name for ease of access.
If 4 users have the same shared folder name eg: MyShares, they are still uniquely accessed
via the mapping or \\systemName\MyShares