Rainlover Loc: Qld Australia

You could consider using a Cloud solution. I use both Sky Drive and Dropbox.

I travel a bit and can access my files from anywhere on any machine.

My lap top and PC are always in syns. Downloads only happen when there is a change.

As far as Windows XP, Vista and 7 I can supply a link to a video which is very good. Because you have a Mac I have no idea how to either share or create a network.

This is the link to the Video.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Networking-home-computers-running-different-versions-of-Windows

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I think you can understand my frustration now. We are on the second page of answers. There should be s simple list of four steps to follow. 1, 2, 3, 4 - done!

I spent some time with it yesterday and was able to access the files on another computer - but just that one (both Windows). I've been playing around with this on and off for months. I'll come back to it the future. Either that or hire a fulltime IT guy. :D

kit_kit Loc: NYC

More info would be helpful.

What directions have you followed?

What happens as a result?

Are you getting any error messages?

Can you "see" the new computer on your network?

Do all your network computers have the same workgroup name?

Do all your network computers use the same wireless security protocol? i.e. WEP, WPA, WPA2.

What security software do you have installed?

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Hi jerry

Have a look at the site below I think this will help you.

http://myfirstmac.com/how-do-i-share-files-between-my-mac-and-pc.html

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Exactly my point! Information overload! If I could answer all those questions - or even knew how to get that info - I probably wouldn't need any help.

To complicate things even more, we have two networks in the house. I set up a Netgear Extender, and that's broadcasting Home Network_EXT. The wired computers are on Home Network 1. I suppose I would have to put them all on #1, but that would defeat the purpose of the extender.

Flash drives and external drives will have to do for now.

wjdonahue Loc: Kansas City

Some later XP and all Windows 7 systems have ownership and security options that were placed in the operating system to be able to thwart outsiders (read hackers) to get into and change files. These settings can cause some real problems if you don't understand them and only leave the defaults in place when trying to modify, copey, etc., but are easy to modify. There is no need tomodify them on a single computer, but sometimes they must be reset in a network environment.
Right click on the file that you wish to see or change the security options, and click on the properties option and then on the security tab.. Then click on the advanced tab to see ownership (ability to change settings.) The ownership should include users as well as administrators for the best control. Here you can edit the ownership...note will ask you about all subfolders.
Once that is complete, go back to the security tab and ensure that full control is allowed under the permissions tab, or edit it to ensure full control. You can set this differently for each of the users. This should eliminate any problems on the Windows side. For the MAC...who knows, they don't document their OS very well.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks. I'll file this away for when I'm albe to concentrate on something.

marty wild Loc: England

You will need to map your drives and enable sharing have you done this? If you are on msn, I can could do it by remote access we need to be at the pc at the same time so you can give me permission




quote=jerryc41]We have a home network up and running - no problems. What I'd like to do is be able to access files on one computer from another. Specifically, I'd like to be able to copy a bunch of files onto a new machine - supposedly very easy to do.

I have followed directions for doing this, but it doesn't work. Any ideas would be appreciated.[/quote]

kit_kit Loc: NYC

Unfortunately, if you don't have enough understanding of networking to answer the questions, you probably need to spend some money and hire a tech to come to your home.

Why are you using an Extender? Do you live in a huge house?

Does Home Network_EXT and Home Network 1 refer to the workgroup names? Using different workgroup names could be a big part of your problem.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

My wife's computer in the living room is separated from the Linksys by a couple of walls, and the signal is weak. With her Dell, I installed a card with a Wi-=Fi antenna, and that worked OK. When she got the iMac, there was no way to install an antenna, so I got the extender. Now I have a good signal upstairs and down. My iPad never loses the signal upstairs.

Home Network 1 is the name of the WI-Fi coming from the Linksys router. Home Network 1_EXT is the name of the signal coming from the extender. The Home Group is named Homegroup (very imaginative, I know).

I have too many other things to do today, but I'll refer to these suggestions when I go back to it.

The house isn't huge; it just has too many walls in the wrong places. As for hiring a tech, that's a possibility, but in two weeks, it wouldn't be working, and I'd have to call him back.

Aagaard Loc: Sahuarita, AZ

I am running two PCs with Windows 7. I found that I had to set up a "HomeGroup" first in the Network and Sharing area of Control Panel. You give the HomeGroup a name and it will give you a password to use with the other PCs. Use the same HomeGroup name and the password on the other PCs.

I also found that it works more reliably when I place the files/folders I want to share in the "Public" area. (There are several areas of the hard drive: [YourUserName], Default, Guest, Public, etc. They are all under C:\ > Users). Just move the files/folders to the "Public Area."

Lastly, I use a program called GoodSync to synchronize my PCs on demand. I set up a number of jobs like "My Pictures" to transfer the files I want to sync. You can get a trial version at http://www.GoodSync.com.

It's a bit of a pain, but it works for me.

I hope this helps!

Bob

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks. More info for my growing file.

I have a homegroup and a password that works between two computers. If I can get the other two hooked up, I'll be happy - for a while, anyway. :D

CSI Dave Loc: Arizona

I have two Windows 7 PCs that connect using the homegroup, but I can't help you with a mixed Windows/Mac environment. If you run out of patience, you might consider using a network attached storage (NAS) drive. It's basically the external hard drive solution, but you attach it to the router just like another computer. Once configured, any computer on the network can access the centralized storage. It's a bit more elegant than carrying around an external drive from room to room.

Rainlover Loc: Qld Australia

There is no need whatsoever for a password. A password is optional.

The Video link I posted shows you how. If you follow it you will set up your Windows very quickly.

It is the Mac that I cannot help with.

Also mapping a drive is optional. A good idea but not a must do.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks.