Networking Novice, Need some help...

Ok here is what I have and what I want to do (I need some tech support as to HOW exactly to make this work).

I have a wireless router b/g running in b mode, wife has laptop running xp home (its a work laptop), I have main pc hardwired into router running xp pro, and I have a junker laptop with xp pro and a pcmcia card in it.

In the past, I have had no need or desire to share files between these computers...

BUT I just ordered an alienware 3450 and it will be here in the next week or so, so now suddenly I have the desire to share files between my main pc and the new alienware when I get it (mp3s & photos mainly and would like the ability to print from laptop to main pcs printer).

The new alienware will have xp home, my main pc has xp pro, wifes laptop is xp pro but thats for work only so no sharing of anykind needed with hers, and my junker here will go to my daughter to goof around on...

So I want to share printer and file access between my new alienware and the main desk pc (xp home & xp pro), is this possible and if so what are the steps for a novice like me to make this work?

I do have the router setup with wep protection, a custom password and ssid, and its in b mode cuz g mode was flaky when I tried it but might try g mode again once alienware comes cuz g mode will be desired for pc to laptop and vice versa file sharing (g will be faster than b for that right?).

Anyways thats what I was hoping to get some answers on, can I do this with these two computers (files and printer sharing for 2 of the pcs only not wifes and other junker laptop) and if so how, and will the different versions of xp pose any problems?


Bill

Thanks alot for the reply and input, once it arrives I will try it for sure,

a few last questions...

first off here is my router if needed - netgear WGR614 v3 b/g with wep

If I switch to G mode (cuz between 2 pcs sharing this will help in those speeds right?) my junker laptop has a b only pcmcia card, if I operate in G mode on my router will the b only card totally not work or will the router allow it but knock that particular laptop only down to b or does it not work that way (in other words if i go upto g ill have to get a g card for it.)

I was gonna give this junker to my daughter to goof with online etc, but I was pretty sure i would want to go upto g mode if i share files between 2 pcs (is that correct that I should move upto using the g mode?)

Second, does having a workgroup setup between my main pc and my new laptop open me up to more security risk at all? I do have my setup changed as recommened by netgear changed ssid, changed password, using wep protection etc etc, so its not standard open where anyone outside can just "sign in" yet I realize its not fort knox either, if someone does get in will they too have access to all files of the workgroup and or all files on any of my pcs (how does that work) the main reason is because my wifes laptop is her work laptop (many client files and info) having her online with it is great but I do worry about her security on this wireless setup altho she wouldnt be connected to the workgroup i setup between main pc and new laptop, if someone can get in and connect to my wireless thru hacking, does having the workgroup setup open me to more invasion or does it just allow them to use internet thru their pc or laptop if they have figured out how to get in, and or does that open up wifes laptop to lookyloos into her work files?

Guess I am just a bit slow on all that, I know there are newer more secure routers out there that use newer stronger protection wpa etc past the wep only that mine does, should I look at upgrading the router or is there any type of program out there that can tell me if anyone IS trying to use my wireless or attempting to use it?

Sorry for so many questions on all this, might just be overly curious, but I do know for a fact I have a group of very active kids nearby here that are bigtime into computers and probably not only the legal stuff, and since my wife works for the property we live at, and her work laptop has all the files of all the residents here at the same property, I hate to see them use my wireless to get in and get access somehow to everyone who lives here (info accts phone, emergency contacts, lease info resident complaints etc etc) or oneday to find out they used my connection to hack into some gov or edu site or somethin...

Bill

I did go to netgear.com and updated my WGR614 v3 router to the newest firmware which now supports WPA-PSK security (which should be stronger than just wep right?)


And in the Properties section of the routersetup I see I can choose B AND G (at same time) so that should allow the junker laptop with the B only card to still operate at same time as G mode for main pc and alienware laptop.

So thats 2 things off the list (very cool)...

Still curious on all the security questions asked above tho and I sure hope once the laptop arrives I can get all this setup and workin smoothly...

Bill

I will just make sure the shared folders contain pics and songs and nothing that would be personal (docs emails etc). and will turn off the ability to change the files so worst they can see or copy the files yet not delete or something harmful.

Mostly its webpage images family photos music videos and mp3's that i want accessable between the main pc and alienware, so I think im ok on that stuff...

I did already enable (changed router settings etc) over to the WPA stuff, not sure how much more secure it is but totally changed passphrase (longer too) and its now active and I enabled b and g mode, so far each pc is FINE working connecting so thats cool!

My laptop is doing one weird thing tho (junker laptop with B card only) I start it up it finds and connects, but if it sits and goes into standby once I wake laptop it says aquiring network and times out trying to find or reconnect to wireless, I tried hitting repair, confirming all the settings are current and right (and it does connect on bootup), yet once in standby it wont reconnect when woke up, I HAVE to restart the pc for it to reconnect.

In advanced settings of the wireless connection i see my SSID and it says automatic and all properties are setup for the wpa now and it works, and I also see stayonline and it too says automatic, im guessing this is for when i comeback from periods of inactivity on the laptop? Anyways I went into its properties and confirmed its also setup for wpa and passphrase entered etc, yet it still wont refind and connect without me actually restarting the entire laptop.

Could be cuz its old and has a cheap 15$ cheifmax card in it...I dunno but its sorta annoying to have to restart if I walk away from laptop for 30 mins...

I am not even sure what "mode" it goes into, screen pops off fans turn off and if i wiggle touchpad it all pops back up, guessing thats sleep mode?

Hibernate is NOT checked, and I have hard discs and system standby all checked as NEVER turn off when unit is on in power management screens, the only thing turned on is turn off monitor after 10 mins on battery power and 15 mins on cord power, yet once I wiggle touchpad everything pops back up yet im suddenly not connected anymore, if I use it no 20-30 min breaks in use it works SOLID no breakups or flakeouts, only when i leave it and come back does it somehow lose its connection and wont reconnect till i restart.

The MAC address wont change like the IP address does will it?

I did see that within the router menus so i might do that (it would help limit who or what can access the wifi or workgroups) one more step security wise right?