How to setup filesharing across my home network

[Informant X]

Greetings,

Sorry if this has been covered, I looked up filesharing and didn't find to much. I'm actually suprised there isn't a guide or something. Anyway please bear with me here. I have Windows 7 64 bit and a Windows Vista 32 bit laptop setup on the same router at my house. I would like to open these computers up each other completely. (Or maybe just a few folders rather than the whole HD, not sure yet)

Anyway I'm not sure how to safely do this. I have the UAC turned off in vista on the laptop. I have a router and such. Question is it safe to do this, and how would I do it. I would rather not setup a password to do this, but if it would make it that much more secure then I would do so. Basically can someone tell me how to setup filesharing across my network with these 2 OS's.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm sick of ferrying files from one PC to the other on a thumb drive.

 

[RebateMonger]

You could start at the Windows Help and Support Center on either of your PCs:

/Start/Windows Help and Support/
Then search for "file sharing".
The topic "Enable file and printer sharing" seems to be pretty helpful.

It's considered bad security practice to share your entire system drive. Sharing only needed folders is a better idea.

 

[JackMDS]

Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party Firewall instructions.

General example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trusted

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://technet.microsoft.com/e.../library/bb727037.aspx

Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/d...x?scid=kb;en-us;304040 http://support.microsoft.com/d...x?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windo...t/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista (Not need for XP-SP3) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

Sharing between Windows XP and Mac - http://www.realifewebdesigns.c.../mac-pc-file-share.asp

 

[Czar]

Upgrade the Vista machine to Windows7 and then use homegroups, soooooooooooooo easy to do fileshareing with homegroups.

 

[kornphlake]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
It's considered bad security practice to share your entire system drive. Sharing only needed folders is a better idea.

I've seen this mentioned before and it's scared me enough to only share specific folders. In a practical scenario, what is the harm of having two home computers that are completely open to each other. I know the users for both computers and all users are free to use all computers so what is the harm of being able to have free access to one hard drive entirely from another computer. It's not like a user is going to do something on a remote computer that he wouldn't do locally, unless they're just stupid.

In the real world, on a secure home network, what's the harm of sharing an entire drive that contains operating system files?

 

[JackMDS]

In cases like this I create my own folders structure under C:

Some thing like.

C: Main share

Under it, sub folders like, My Docs, My Movies, My whatever.....

Switch On the Guest Account and allow Read/Write rights to Guests with No Password needed.

Share the Folder "Main Share" with the Guest account and the Local Admin, and live would be easy.

As a side note.

This free proggie makes it very easy to use the folders of choice for Open and Saving Files.

http://www.hyperionics.com/files/index.asp

It works well with XP. Vista, and Win 7.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: kornphlake
In the real world, on a secure home network, what's the harm of sharing an entire drive that contains operating system files?

Everyone can catch malware on their PC. If you have all your PCs with system-wide shares, the "right" malware will transmit to all the other PCs in the network and contaminate them, too.

 

[Informant X]

Awsome! Thanks for the help. I realize that as knowledgeable as you guys are this for you is a peice of cake and dealing with people who need help can be annoying. Moreover I'm sure at some point this has been covered before. So again I apologize but that's for the help.

Also those links you sent me JackMDS matey does the vista part apply with win 7?

Also I don't have a software firewall on the win 7 PC, just the Vista. (Comodo)

Much oblidged.

 

[DefRef]

Man, this is frustrating me and considering I can build and OC my computers, the fact I can't figure out what the heck I'm doing wrong with setting up my network (which is remarkably similar to the OP's) is bumming me out something fierce. How to total tech n00bs get this stuff working?

Here's my setup:

* Desktop: Rig in sig running 64-bit Win7 Pro, MSE AV, no 3rd party firewall, hardline into router, no password

* Laptop: Dell XPS 1530 running 32-bit Vista Home, AVG Free 8.5, Comodo Firewall Pro, wireless connection, no password

* Router: Linksys WRT54G with Tomato Firmware v1.25.1720

I'm not trying to do anything stupid fancy. I'm a photographer and do a lot of my work on the laptop, but want to back up my stuff to an external drive attached to my desktop. I've been shuttling stuff between the two with USB keys or external HDs, but it'd be hella easier if I could just connect to my desktop from the laptop and send the files or reach out from the desktop to pull or put files.

I've been fidgeting around with this for several weeks with no success and no amount of Googling and reading Windows Help makes sense. No, upgrading the laptop to Win7 isn't an option. I'd really appreciate if someone could lead me thru the steps of what I need to do to get things working. TIA!

 

[DefRef]

Anyone got some advice before they take the forums down for the evening in a couple of hours? Thanks.

 

[DefRef]

I finally got it working by doing this:

1. On the Win7 desktop Explorer, I selected the folder I wanted to share and then clicked the Share With button at the top.

2. Selected Specific people... option at bottom.

3. In the dropdown box, selected Everyone and clicked Add.

4. Changed Permissions to Read/Write and clicked Share.

5. After a few seconds a dialog comes up that the folder is shared.

If I've opened a giant security hole, I'd appreciate if someone points it out. I am currently transferring my videos over at this moment.

 

[shingletingle]

Upgrade the Vista machine to Windows7 and then use homegroups, soooooooooooooo easy to do fileshareing with homegroups.

I don't like homegroups and that silly code you have to enter.

 

[Emulex]

you know if your router is hacked or defaults to its factory settings then yeah you will be hosed.

encrypt your data

 

[DefRef]

you know if your router is hacked or defaults to its factory settings then yeah you will be hosed. encrypt your data

I assume you're talking to me. Encryption is impratical. How can I set up the sharing so that only the laptop can access it? Share it with just the name of the laptop?