Ensure all of your computers can connect to the Internet. This is the best way to ensure that your computers have good connectivity between them and have TCP/IP loaded. If all of your computers can connect to the Internet, the rest of this tutorial will be a breeze.

See the Internet sharing guide for help

All versions of Microsoft Windows have networking bugs - Windows 98, 98SE, ME, NT, 2000, XP all need important updates to work correctly. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you update Microsoft Windows with the latest patches to get your network running correctly. Do this with the 'Windows Update' selection on your Start Menu Or see How to Update Windows for a step by step tutorial for each Microsoft operating system.

If your computer has ONE network card and does NOT have a broadband modem directly connected to it:

 Windows 98/98SE/ME

 Windows 2000

 Windows XP

My computer is an Internet Connection 'Server Computer' .  It has a broadband modem attached to it and at least one other network card for my LAN. It runs Microsoft ICS, WinGate or other connection sharing software

 Windows 98/98SE/ME with sharing software running(soon)

 Windows 2000 with sharing software running(soon)

 Windows XP with Internet sharing enabled

Internet Connection Sharing Computers *** Temp Notes till I get more pages up *** You must make sure that the network card for your broadband connection does NOT have 'Client for Microsoft Networks' and 'File and Print Sharing' bound to it.  This is to ensure your shares are not exposed to the internet.  The LAN network adapter should be configured normally - just like the links above.

A 'workgroup' is simply a logical grouping of computers.  On a network, only a single workgroup is needed.  If all of your computers are not in the same workgroup, they may not be able to see each other correctly.  Just make one up and stick to it. Keep it simple and easy to remember.

Each computer should get the SAME WORKGROUP name and a DIFFERENT computer name. Again, keep all names simple and easy to remember.

Fun Network Naming Examples  Workgroup: Atom Computers: Neutrino, Quark, Electron, Proton, Neutron, etc... Workgroup: Sol Computers: Earth, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, etc...  Workgroup: Milkeyway Computers: Sirus, Centauri, Vega, Deneb, Canopus, Proxima, Rigil, etc...

 Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000

 Windows XP / XP Pro

(All computers are configured)

A folder or printer must be shared on each computer for them to show up in your network neighborhood.  The next set of pages will show you how to share a folder.  Windows 2000 NOTE: You need to create a NEW SHARE.  The default drive shares are not 'network shares'. 

The computer I want to create a share on is running:

 Windows 98/98SE/ME

 Windows 2000

 Windows XP /Pro - Simple file sharing

First of all, reboot your computers! We just made a load of configuration changes!  When your computers start up, give them a minute or so to become 'aware' of each other.  Sometimes you will get error messages if you try to access your network neighborhood too soon.

Tell me more about Network Browsing, Searching and Mapping network drives

 Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000

 Windows XP Edition