Networking Through A Router

CapeCoaler wrote:As a Computer Consultant my first point is....beware of advice you get from a big box store employee.
They are there for a reason....to fetch the product that you have researched and know you want.

Or to upsell you something you don't need. I've experienced and read too many stories myself to place any confidence in the advice they give. I like going there and playing the dumbass asking stupid questions to see what kind a response I get and to build their confidence. Then... Bammo! I lay a whopper on them.

"Ummmm... Ummmm.... Let me go talk to my manager."

I'm sure some of them are very adept but from my experience the majority of them know as much as the next guy which is not that much.

Sometimes I just can not contain myself when the employees give bad advice to someone.
I walk over and say something like "or you could just....."
And let the store customer know what I do for a living just so they can qualify the advice given.

If you have cable of Fios you may be entitled to a website. Many of these services offer web based FTP. It would allow you to upload the files to a remote server and then download them from any computer. It is a real PITA networking different OS'. I have XP and Vista and sometimes I can't connect and other times it works like a charm. You can also use a flash drive too which is easier than email. There is one more solution which is called logmein.com. You download a small program to each computer. You then will have a central control panel from thier website that will allow you to access any computer that you add to your control panel. It's veyr cool because you eseentially have access to your computers from any location. However, there is a fee for that service.

Read the TOS for the website freebie.
They do not guarantee your data against anything!
Some do not give FTP.
I like the NAS because....
Your equipment, your control, your QOS, your degree of risk and most of all your responsibility to backup the data!

What's the price of that sucker? He probably can load Vista on the other computers. Usually after 6 months you can re-load the OS on an other computer. If he had Vista on all his computers he wouldn't have a networking issue.

Under $150.
Pfffft.....Vista is a resource hog, do not load it on old machines.
Clean install of the OS is good and legal.
The box makes it easy to share on the network.
If he went all Vista, he would have a vista problem.

Devil, have you had any success getting your file sharing setup? I also have 4 computers connected through a Linksys router. One runs Vista, one runs XP Professional, one runs Ubuntu Linux and the last runs FreeNas. The last one is my home-built 750gb Raid 5 file server. I have files shared between all four with no issues, you do not need any additional hardware of software to do this.

Windows XP comes with an easy to use home network setup utility, have you tried it?

Oh I agree it does not take any extra hardware to network a home office, do it all the time.
But, and I mean this in a kind paternal way, most people are overwhelmed when attempting to network and file share a small workgroup.
The fact you built a Raided File Server puts you in the top 20% skill set.
Devil wanted it to be easy!

I have 4 computers (with 3 operating systems) connected to my Linksys router & would like to find an "easy way" to be able to share files amongst them. I figured since they all share a single router, this should be easy to do....BUT......I seem to get tangled up with all the networking BS "hoops" that Windows makes you jump through! Is there any easy way to share files through a router?

I gave him a plug and, almost, play option.
Toss a few bags of coal and a couple of beers into the deal.....
I will stop by and set it up for him....
But no Politics must be spoken about!

Take a look at NasLite. Turns *any* box into a speedy fast NAS. Easy to setup and easier to use. Supports ftp, http, smb, etc.

CapeCoaler wrote:I gave him a plug and, almost, play option.
Toss a few bags of coal and a couple of beers into the deal.....
I will stop by and set it up for him....
But no Politics must be spoken about!

Sounds like a deal.......How's chances of you doing my propane to Nat. gas grill conversion while your at it?
If you do the grill conversion I'll even let you claim me as a dependent on your 2008 1040!


(I promise to have my mouth duct taped shut too!.......That's the only way my kids will come visit!!)


(Got the grill conversion kit today)