Set up a local network and file sharing
Accessing shared files and directories
Troubleshooting
This document pertains to desktop computers installed with Windows Vista Basic, Premium, or Ultimate.
Windows Vista supports connection of multiple desktop computers in a home network. Connecting multiple desktop computers in a network can be a convenient way to share files in the home. This document provides instructions for setting up and sharing folders and files on a wireless home network.
NOTE:
While using the steps in this document you may be prompted several times by User Account Control for permission to continue. You must accept these Windows to make the necessary changes.
Set up a local network and file sharing
Use the steps in this section to set up a home network using wireless hardware.
NOTE:
Ensure that you log into Windows Vista using the main administrative account. Normally this is the first account that was created when the computer was first turned on.
Step 1: Before you begin
Confirm that you have the following hardware and follow these steps:
Disconnect the Internet. If you have a DSL or cable modem, disconnect it.
Disable any firewall software. Firewall software may interfere with network setup. You can enable the firewall after network setup is complete.
Wireless network interface card (NIC) or an on-the-motherboard wireless network port for each computer. Confirm the computer has a wireless network antenna; the antenna may be a part of internal networking hardware, or the antenna may be external and should be connected to the back of the computer.
Network router or access point. If you need a network hub, consult with a network specialist at your local computer store to determine a hub that meets your needs.
Step 2: Connect the network hardware
Set up and turn on the power for the wireless network router or other networking device. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to connect your broadband cable or DSL modem to the router, and to set up security for the wireless network.
Figure 1: Wireless network example: wireless router, two wireless notebooks, and a wireless PC with a printer
Step 3: Run the wireless setup wizard
Use the Windows Vista Set up a Wireless Router or Access Point wizard to help add computers and devices to the network.
Click Start , and select Network. The Network window opens.
Click Network and Sharing Center.
Figure 2: Network and Sharing Center link
The Network and Sharing Center window displays.
Click Set up a connection or network to open the wizard for a router or access point.
Figure 3: Set up a connection or network link
Select the connection option Set up a wireless router or access point, and then click Next.
Figure 4: Choose a connection option
The Set up a home or small business network wizard opens. Click Next.
Figure 5: Set up wizard
Wait while the wizard detects the network.
If the wizard fails to find the network, make sure that the router is setup correctly and turned on.
Figure 6: Detecting the network window
Enter a passphrase into the field provided. The passphrase should be treated like a password and is used to generate the security key used in keeping your network secure.
Figure 7: Security passphrase window
Store the passphrase in a secure place in the event that you will need to later retrieve it. Click Next.
In the file and printer sharing options window, select a sharing option that is best for your network configuration, such as, Allow sharing with anyone with a user account and password for this computer, or Allow sharing with someone on the same network on this computer, and then click Next.
Figure 8: Choose file and printer sharing options window
Step 4: Connect to a network
Use these steps to connect to a network from each computer:
Click Start , and select Network. The Network window opens.
Click Network and Sharing Center.
Figure 9: Network and Sharing Center link
The Network and Sharing Center window displays.
Click Connect to a network.
Figure 10: Connect to a network link
Select your network, and then click Connect.
Figure 11: Connect to a network window with Network netgearcf selected
Enter the network passphrase (or security key) for the selected wireless network.
Figure 12: Security key or passphrase
Click Connect and the computer connects to the network.
Figure 13: Connecting to the wireless network netgearcf
Select a location for the network, usually Home.
Figure 14: Set Network Location windows with Home selected
The computer successfully connects to the network. Select Save this network and Start this connection automatically, and then click Close.
Figure 15: Successfully connected to netgearcf
The Successfully set network settings window opens.
Click Close.
Figure 16: Successfully set network settings
View the Network and Sharing Center window to verify that the new network connection is now connected.
Figure 17: Network and Sharing Center showing wireless network connection
Step 5: Turn on Network discovery and file sharing
Now that Windows is connected to your wireless network, you are ready to share files between computers. Turn on Network discovery and file sharing on each computer that you want to access on the network.
Click Start , and select Network. The Network window opens and displays the following message:
Network discovery and file sharing are turned off. Network computers and devices are not visible. Click to change...
Click the message. A drop down list displays.
Select Turn on network discovery and file sharing.
NOTE:
Network discovery and file sharing automatically turns off every time the computer restarts. After Windows Vista starts, you must repeat this step to access computers on the network.
Figure 18: Network discovery setting
The Network discovery and file sharing window displays. Select No, make the network that I am connected to a private network.
Figure 19: Network discovery and file sharing
Computers detected on the network are displayed. Only computers with network discovery and file sharing enabled are viewable from the Network window. As an example, the following figure shows that computers DesktopA and DesktopB have network discovery and file sharing on, and that they are both connected to the same local area network.
Figure 20: Network window
To set up shared public folder, shared printing, and password protected shared folders, click Network and Sharing Center.
The Network and Sharing Center window displays.
Figure 21: Link to Network and Sharing Center
Click the down-arrow button next to each Sharing and Discovery setting to change the settings to fit your network environment.
Figure 22: Network and Sharing Center: Down arrow button
Network discovery and File sharing must always be on or computers will not be able to detect each other on the network. Select from the following options:
Public folder sharing
Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open files.
Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open, change and create files.
Turn off sharing.
Printer sharing. Printer sharing is active only when a printer is detected.
Turn on sharing.
Turn off sharing.
Password protected sharing. Use password protected sharing when you wish to limit shared folders access to specific people.
Turn on password protected sharing.
Turn off password protected sharing.
Media sharing
Turn on media sharing.
Turn off media sharing.
Step 6: Sharing drives, folders, and files
To share non-public folders, do the following:
Click Start , and select Computer.
Browse to the folder you want to share.
Right-click the folder and select Share.
The File Sharing window displays.
Click the down arrow and select the group name or user name you want to share with and click Add.
Click the down arrow under Permission Level to set read-only or make changes to the shared folder.
Click Share and Done.
Step 7: Testing the network
Open the Windows Vista network window and browse through the shared folders in each computer on the network.
Figure 23: Windows Vista Network Window
If the computer is able to read and access files from a remote computer, the remote computer is set up correctly. Browse to every available computer from each computer on the network. If there are any issues, go back through these steps and verify that the settings are correct.
If you are unsure how to browse shared folders or are experiencing difficulties, refer to the section Accessing shared files and directories .
When all computers are able to network to each other computer on the network, continue to the next step.
Step 8: Enable Internet access and firewalls
Once you have verified that your home network is capable of transferring files, connect and enable Internet connections for computers with Internet access.
CAUTION:
Make sure that each computer with Internet access is well protected from security threats. At the minimum, each computer should have its Internet connection protected with a firewall and Windows should be updated with the latest critical updates from Microsoft Windows Update. If malicious activity comes though one computer, the activity can quickly spread through the entire network.
Accessing shared files and directories
Do the following to access shared files and directories:
Ensure network discovery and file sharing is turned On.
Click Start , and select Network.
The Network window opens and displays computers with shared folders that are detected on local networks.
Figure 24: Network window showing computers capable of sharing files
Double-click the computer name you want to access.
If Password Protection is enabled for the shared computer a Connect to (login) windows opens. Type in the user name and password of the account with permission to access the shared computer.
NOTE:
Make sure to follow the required format of Computername\username.
Make sure the type of account you are using is allowed on the computer you are connecting to.
Figure 25: Username and password prompt
Troubleshooting
Use one of the following sections for resolutions to possible login errors:
Error: Logon unsuccessful
Error: \\[Computer name] not accessible
Error: Logon unsuccessful
When accessing shared files or directories the following error message window may display:
Figure 26: Logon Unsuccessful
This error is caused by the following:
The user account does not exist.
The account is already logged in locally.
Example: Account User_1 is locally logged into computer DesktopA and then tries to access computer DesktopA as User_1 from computer DesktopB.
NOTE:
If an account is not already logged in locally (Windows is open at the login screen), multiple people can use it to access the share at the same time with no errors.If no one is logged into computer DesktopA, User_1, User_2, and User_3 can access computer DesktopA from any networked computer at the same time.
To resolve the error, verify the following:
The user account exists on the computer.
The computer name and user name are spelled correctly.
The login account/name you are using is not already in use on the computer you are trying to access.
Error: \\
When accessing shared files or directories the following error message window may display:
Figure 27: Computer is not accessible
This error can be caused by the following:
Password Protection is On and the Guest account is On.
The user account does not have permission to access the share. This typically occurs when specific permissions are set up on systems with multiple share folders.
In the following illustration, computer DesktopA allows User_1 access to User_1_Shared_Folder. The error message displays if User_1 tries to access a User_2_Shared_Folder because User_1 does not have permission to access User_2_Shared_Folder.
NOTE:
Notice that Windows Vista file sharing displays all the shared folders, even those you do not have permission to access.
Figure 28: Multiple shared folders
To resolve the error, verify the following:
The user account has the proper permissions to access the computer.
The computer name and user name are spelled correctly.
Ensure that Firewall software on any connected computer is set to allow access.
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