`any way. It gives you free powers over every file, which is just what you may need to
`troubleshoot your computer.
`
`The Administrator
`Account
`
`Rgure 16-12:
`There's not really
`much to learn about
`the Guest account;
`it's exactly the same
`thing as a Limited
`account, except that
`it requires no pass(cid:173)
`word at all.
`
`!! User Account~
`
`.
`
`·
`
`-
`
`- GJ[g)~
`
`learn About
`17l U<er 1KCCU'otS
`i2l Lise• IKCCU'ot types
`l2J Swtc:tlnQ users
`
`All About Profiles
`As you've read earlier in this chapter, every document, icon, and preference setting
`related to your account resides in a single folder: the one bearing your name in the
`Local Disk (C:)~Documents and Settings folder. This folder is technically known
`as your user profile.
`
`The All Users Profile
`Each account holder has a separate user profile. But your PC also has a couple of
`profiles that aren't linked to human beings' accounts.
`
`Have you ever noticed, for example, that not everything you actually see in your Start
`menu and on your desktop is, in fact, in your user profile folder?
`
`The solution to this mystery is the All Users profile, which also lurks in the Documents
`and Settings folder (Figure 16-13). As you can probably tell by its name, this folder
`stores the same kinds of settings your profile folder does-except that anything in
`All Users appears on everybody's Start menu, desktop, and so on.
`
`All of this is a long-winded way of suggesting another way of making some icon avail(cid:173)
`able to everybody with an account on your machine. Drag it into the corresponding
`folder (such as Desktop or Start Menu) in the All Users profile folder.
`
`CHAPTER 16: ACCOUNTS, SECURITY, AND LOGGING O N
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`All About Profiles
`
`Whose software is it, anyway?
`The All Users folder also offers a handy solution to the "Whose software is it, anyway?"
`conundrum: the burning question of whose Start menu and desktop reflects new
`software that you've installed using your own account.
`
`- • - - - - ~ ~ - - - -
`
`-
`
`-
`
`•
`
`N · - • -
`
`~ . C: \Documents and Settings\All User.~.
`
`File Edit View Favorites Tools Help
`
`C Back O
`
`ct)) P Search [ t] Folc
`
`Folders
`
`Rgure 16-11:
`Behind the scenes, Windows XP maintains another
`profile folder, whose subfolders closely parallel
`those in your own. What you see is the contents of
`the Start menu, Desktop, Shared Documents folder,
`Favorites list, Templates folder, and so on is a com(cid:173)
`bination of whars in your own user profile folder
`and what's in the All Users folder.
`
`13 ~ Local Disk(C:)
`Ei) 0 Documents and Settings
`$--tll Administrator
`liJ ·Cll Administrator.INSPIRON
`~-(cid:143)
`rmm
`· @ el Application Data
`:· -e) Desktop ······················, 2 Desktop folders
`i ~e Favorites
`Q DRM
`li). ~ Shared Documents
`ffi le::) Start Menu - - -....,
`' · le::) Templates
`'
`9 en AM•lffl1ti
`ffi-,e) Application Data
`;· ·el Cookies
`(t)· * Favorites
`$ e!I Desktop ........................ :
`GI- 0 Local Settings
`IE ~ My Documents
`! .. 1£1 My Recent Documents
`! ·-c:J SendT o
`IE t::) Start Menu - -- - 2 Start Menu folders
`
`!
`
`j
`
`I
`
`I
`
`,
`i
`
`1
`
`:,',,.
`
`,
`
`As noted in Chapter 5, some software installers ask you if you would like the new
`program to show up only in your Start menu, or in everybody's Start menu. But not
`every installer is this thoughtful. Some installers automatically deposit their new
`software into the All Users folder, thereby making its Start menu listing available to
`everybody when they log on.
`
`On the other hand, some installers may deposit a new software program only into
`your account (or that of whoever is logged in at the moment). In that case, other
`account holders won't be able to use the program at all, even if they know that it's
`been installed, because their own Start Menu and Desktop folders won't reflect the
`installation. Worse, some people, not seeing the program's name on their Start m enus,
`might not realize that you've already installed it-and may well install it again.
`
`The solution, of course, is to open the Start Menu(cid:157) Programs folder in your user
`profile folder, copy the newly installed icon, and paste it into the All Users(cid:157) Start
`
`510
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`WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION: THE M I SSING MANUAL
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`EX 2009
`
`
`
`Menu(cid:157) Programs folder. (Repeat with the Desktop folder, if you'd like everyone to
`see a desktop icon for the new program.) You've just made that software available and
`visible to everybody who logs onto the computer.
`
`All About Profiles
`
`The Default User Profile
`When you first create a new account, who decides what the desktop picture will
`be-and its Start menu configuration, assortment of desktop icons, and so on?
`
`Well, Microsoft does, of course-but you can change all that. What a newly created
`account holder sees is only a reflection of the Default User profile. It's yet another
`folder-this one usually hidden-in your Documents and Settings folder, and it's the
`common starting point for.all profiles.
`
`NOSTALGIA CORNER
`
`u,., Account,
`
`0
`
`The Windows 2000 User Accounts Control .Pa·nel
`You're supposed to do most of your account-editing work
`.. don't get at all in the new one. For example, you canturri .
`in the User Accounts program of the Control Panel, which is
`off the checkbox called, "Users must enter a user name and ··
`basically a wizard that offers one option per screen. That re(cid:173)
`password to use this computeri' Whe·n you do so, you get a_ 0
`quirement may not thrill veteran
`dialog box called Automatically ; ·
`Windows 2000 fans, however,
`log On, where you can ~-pecify '.:;
`ar1d passwofd :at/,
`who are used to the much more
`a user name
`direct-and more powerful-User
`one special person. This iucky .''.,
`Accounts screen.
`individual won't have to specify
`any name and pas~ord at log-
`on time and can instead turn
`on the PC and cruise directly •
`to the desktop. (This feature .
`works only at stortup time. If
`you choose Start (cid:157) Log Off, the ·: .
`
`u,.,.,
`
`Actually, it's still in Windows
`
`Start(cid:157) Run; type control User(cid:173)
`posswords2, and then press
`Enter. You see the program
`shown here.
`
`--·
`Amw11strators;Usets -u,,,,
`I ·-~-d ... I
`
`•••-dfo,--
`dWIQO tho pa,uwcrd for Ao-rrHtr««, dckRMCt
`d,
`
`Most of the functions here are
`the same as what you'd find ·
`in the new XP User Accounts
`. 'program- it's just that you don't
`have to slog through several
`wizards screens to get things
`done. Here you can add, remove, or edit accounts all in a
`single screen . .
`
`pears, so that other peopl~ have
`the opportunity to sign iri.)
`· .... , . ,:....·
`-
`.·.
`: ·• This automatic-logon b~;i~-~ss . •
`is ordinarily a_ luxury ~~joy~d bv.
`solo operators whose PCs have ·~
`only one account and no password. By using the_~~-~ret Us~r . ·:
`Accounts method, however, you can set up automatic logon ·
`even on a PC with several accounts, provided you appreciate · .·
`· the security hole that it leaves open.
`, ... ,· ·•· , . ·
`...
`·' :·~: · .. ·.
`'·-·:)<<·•'.· ~-:~ .. -.::-~-~::-, -~•;:~~--:.--~::
`
`~~
`
`This older control panel also offers a few features that you
`,·_• ..... :. ·., ....
`
`C HAPTER 16: ACCOUNTS, SECURITY, AND LOGGI NG ON
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`511
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`EX 2009
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`
`
`All About Profiles
`
`If you'd like to make some changes to that starting point, start by tweaking a regular
`account-your own, for example. Make its desktop picture, Start menu, Web favorites,
`and other decorations look just the way you'd like the new default to be.
`
`Then you need to fire up a little program called Profile Manager, whose job is to copy,
`move, and delete items among user profiles. Figure 16-14 has full instructions.
`
`System Properties .
`
`. . .
`
`. @(R)
`
`Automatic Updates
`System Restore
`General
`I
`Computer Name
`Hardware
`
`Remote
`Advanced
`
`You 1T<Jst be logged on as an Administrator to make most of these changes.
`
`Performance
`, Visual effects, processor scheduling, memory usage, and virtual memory
`
`Settings
`
`User Profiles
`De,ktop settings related to your logon
`
`Startup a
`Systems
`
`User Profiles
`
`Settings~
`
`:
`
`f1]rg]
`
`Rgure 16-14:
`Top: To open Profile Manager, open
`the System program in the Control
`Panel. Click the Advanced tab, and
`then dick the Settings button in the
`User Profiles section, as shown here.
`
`Bottom: To copy the settings from a
`person's profile into the Default User
`profile, highlight the name of the ac(cid:173)
`count whose settings you want to copy.
`Then click Copy To; in the next dialog
`box, click Browse, and then navigate
`to, and select, the My Computer(cid:157)
`Local Disk (C.)(cid:157) Documents and
`Settings-tDefault User folder. Click
`OK-and the deed is done.
`
`User prolles store settr,gs for your desktop and other
`Wormation related to your user accoo...-.t. You can create a
`dtfferent profde on each computer you use, or you can select a
`roamini;i profile that is the same on every computer you use.
`
`Profiles stored on this computer:
`
`Name
`INSPIRON\Administrato-r -
`INSPIRON\Chris Olson
`INSPIRON\Guest
`INSPIRON\Harry Pate
`INSPIRON\HolpAssistant
`INSPIRON\Laur a
`
`Size Type
`1.ISMB Local
`148 MB Local
`2.21 MB Local
`1.18 MB
`local
`327 KB Local
`2.18 MB Local
`
`status
`M .. .
`4/ .. .
`Local
`4/ .. .
`Local
`Temp.. . 4/ .. .
`4/ ...
`Local
`4/ .. .
`Local
`4/ .. .
`Local
`
`L...._D_el_;_et_e __,I I Coey TO ~
`
`To create new user accounts, open User Accounts in Control Panel .
`
`...__OK_....,J I Cancel
`
`512
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`
`
`Setting Up a Network
`
`CHAPTER
`
`17
`
`W hen you connect computers so that they can access one another's files
`
`and equipment, you create a network. As millions of PC fans buy second
`and third computers for their homes and offices, small networks are
`becoming increasingly common.
`
`When it comes to simplicity, setting up a network has a long way to go before it ap(cid:173)
`proaches, say, setting up a desk lamp. It involves buying equipment, installing adapters,
`and configuring software. Fortunately, Windows XP's Network Setup Wizard makes
`the software part as painless as possible.
`
`And the payoff is considerable: Once you've created a network, you can copy files
`from one machine to another just as you'd drag files between folders on your own
`PC. Everyone on the network can consult the same database, phone book, or calen(cid:173)
`dar. When workday's done, you can play games over the network. Most importantly,
`you can share a single laser printer, cable modem or DSL, fax modem, or phone line
`among all the PCs in the house.
`
`Kinds of Networks
`You can connect your PCs using any of several different kinds of gear. Most of the
`world's offices are wired with Ethernet cable, but all kinds of possibilities await, includ(cid:173)
`ing networking systems that rely on the phone or power lines already in your walls,
`and even wireless systems that don't need cables at all. Here's an overview of the four
`most popular networking systems.
`
`CHAPTER 17: SETTING UP A NETWORK
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`513
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`EX 2009
`
`
`
`Kinds of Networks
`
`Note: Be sure that whatever networking gear you buy is compatible with Windows XP. The best way to do so
`is check the compatibility list at www.microsoft.com/hcl. Networking is complicated enough without having
`to troubleshoot some gadget that's not designed for XP.
`
`Ethernet
`Ethernet is the world's most popular networking protocol. It gives you fast, reliable,
`trouble-free communication that costs very little and imposes few limitations on
`where you can place the PCs in a home or small office.
`
`In addition to the computers themselves, an Ethernet network requires three com(cid:173)
`ponents:
`
`• Network adapters. You need an adapter for each computer. (You may also hear a
`network adapter called a network interface card or NIC ["nick").)
`
`The network adapter provides the jack, shown in Figure 18-1, where you plug in
`the network cable. If you have a desktop PC that doesn't already have an Ethernet
`jack, you can buy a network adapter either in the form of a PCI card (which you
`must open up your computer to install) or a USB box ( which connects to the back
`of the computer and dangles off of it).
`
`If you have a laptop, you can use one of these USB adapters or a PC Card that slips
`into your computer's PC Card slot.
`
`Tip: You can generally order a new PC with an Ethernet card preinstalled, often for less than what it would
`cost to buy one at your local computer store.
`
`• A hub. An Ethernet network also requires an Ethernet hub (also shown in Figure
`18-1), the nexus into which you plug the network cable from each PC. Hubs come
`in different sizes; five- and eight-port hubs are popular for home networking.
`
`Tip: Buy a hub with a few more ports than you need. You may eventually add another computer to the
`network, not to mention shared network equipment like laser printers or a router (which lets you share a
`cable modem among all of the PCs on the network).
`
`Of course, you can always expand your network by adding on another hub when the time comes, thanks to
`a special connector called an uplink port that lets you hook one hub into another.
`
`If you have a cable modem or DSL connection to the Internet, you may want
`consider buying a combination router/hub instead of a standard hub. (The dialog
`boxes in Windows XP call these boxes residential gateways, although almost no
`one else does.) In addition to serving as a hub, a sp ecial connector on this gizmo
`also accommodates your cable modem or DSL box, so that all of the PCs on your
`network can share the high-speed magic of just one Internet connection. (You can
`also purchase a router and hub separately.)
`
`• Ethernet cables. The cables used for most Ethernet networks look something like
`telephone cables, but they're not the same thing-and they're definitely not inter-
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`Kinds of Networks
`
`changeable. Both the cable itself (called lOBaseT, lOOBaseT cable, or Cat 5 cable)
`and the little clips at each end (called an RJ-45 connector) are slightly fatter than
`those on a phone cable (Figure 18- 1). You can buy ready-made Ethernet cables
`( that is, with the connectors already attached) in a variety of lengths and in many
`different colors. Each computer must be connected to the hub with a cable that's
`no longer than 100 yards or so long.
`
`Tip: Ethernet gear can be shockingly inexpensive; a search at www.buy com, for example, reveals Ethernet
`cards for $10 and five-port Ethernet hubs for $30 from no-name companies. If you're willing to pay slightly
`more-$20 for the card, $50 for the hub, for example-you can get brand-name gear (like Microsoft, Netgear,
`3Com, or LinkSys) whose support with installation, phone help, and driver updates through the years may
`reward you many times over. Setting up an Ethernet network generally goes very smoothly-but in the few
`cases where trouble arises, cheapo equipment is often the problem.
`
`Rgure 11-1:
`Top: The Ethernet cable is connected to a
`computer at one end, and the hub or router
`(shown here) at the other end. The computers
`communicate through the hub; there's no direct
`connection between any two computers. The
`front of the hub has little lights for each con(cid:173)
`nector port that light up only on the ports that
`are in use. You can watch the lights flash as the
`computers communicate with each other.
`Bottom: Here's what a typical "I've got three
`PCs in the house, and I'd like them to share my
`cable modem" setup might look like.
`
`. ................... .
`
`i
`
`I
`l
`i
`
`Cable modem
`
`Router/hub
`
`Wiring (Ethernet, Powerline, HomePNA) or radio waves
`(if you're using a wireless network)
`
`CHAPTER 17 : SETTI NG UP A NETWORK
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`515
`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`Kinds of Networks
`
`Network Hookups
`On paper, the hardware part of setting up the network is simple: Just install a network
`adapter in each computer, and then connect each one to the hub using an Ethernet
`cable. It's that "using an Ethernet cable" part that sometimes gets sticky. Depending
`on where your PCs are and how concerned you are about the network's appearance,
`this wiring process may involve drilling holes in floors or walls, stapling cables to
`baseboard trim, or calling in an electrician to do the job.
`
`When all of your computers are in the same room, you can run the cables along the
`walls and behind the furniture. Buying cables that are the same color as your walls
`or floors can help to hide the installation. If you have to run cables between rooms,
`you can secure the cables to the floor or baseboards using staples ( use the round kind
`that won't crush the cables) or plastic raceways with an adhesive backing.
`
`Of course, you might not be thrilled about having any exposed cables. In that case, the
`installation can be much more complicated. You should probably hire a professional
`cable installer to do the job-or don't use cables at all. Read on.
`
`Phone line networks
`Consider using the wiring that's already in your house-telephone wiring. That's the
`idea behind a kind of networking gear called HornePNA. With this system, you can
`use the network even when using the modern or talking on the phone, although you
`can't make a modem and voice call simultaneously.
`
`Unfortunately, the average American household has only two or three phone jacks
`in the entire house, meaning that you don't have much flexibility in positioning your
`PCs. If you're trying to avoid the plaster-dust experience of installing additional wir(cid:173)
`ing, consider one of the networking types described next.
`
`Power outlet networks
`Here's another way to connect your computers without rewiring the building: use the
`electrical wiring that's already in your walls. Unlike phone jacks, electrical outlets are
`usually available in every room in the house.
`
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`Kinds of Networks
`
`If you buy Powerline adapters (also called HomePlug adapters), you get very fast
`speeds (14 megabits/second), very good range (1,000 feet, although that includes the
`twists and turns your wiring takes within the walls), and the ultimate in installation
`simplicity: You just plug the Power line adapter from your PC's Ethernet or USB jack
`into any wall power outlet. Presto-all of the PCs are connected.
`
`This isn't the cheapest avenue; at this writing, Powerline adapters cost about $100
`apiece. But they afford a great deal of convenience, and a five-year-old could perform
`the installation.
`
`Wireless networks (WiFi or 802.11)
`All of the networking methods described so far involve various schemes for wiring
`your computers together. Millions of people, however, have embraced the flexibility of
`a networking system that involves no wires at all-a cordless networking technology
`that's based on a standard called WiFi or 802.11 ("eight-oh-two dot eleven"). (Your
`Macintosh friends probably call the same thing Air Port.)
`
`CHAPTER lT SETTI NG UP A NETWORK
`
`517
`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`Kinds of Networks
`
`To create a WiFi network, you equip each PC with a special network adapter (about
`$60) whose little antenna pokes out of the computer. If all of your equipment is wire(cid:173)
`less, that's it: your PCs can now communicate with one another.
`
`If you want to be able to get onto the Internet with them via a shared cable modem
`or DSL connection, though, you also need an access point (about $100)-a box that
`connects to your network router or hub and lets your wireless computers communicate
`with the cabled network. The usual gang-LinkSys, Netgear, 3Com, and others-sell
`these access points ( also called base stations).
`
`802.11 equipment has a range of about 150 feet, even through walls. In concept, this
`setup works much like a cordless phone, where the base station is plugged into the
`wall phone jack and a wireless handset can talk to it from anywhere in the house.
`
`Wireless networking is not without its downsides, however. You may get intermittent
`service interruptions from 2.4-gigahertz cordless phones and other machinery, or
`even the weather. Furthermore, big metal things, or walls containing big metal things
`(like pipes) can sometimes interfere with communication among the PCs, much to
`the disappointment of people who work in subways and meat lockers.
`
`Wireless networking isn't as secure as a cabled network, either. If you drive around a
`typical middle-class American neighborhood these days with your wireless-equipped
`laptop turned on, you'll be surprised at how many home wireless networks you can
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`get onto, piggybacking onto other people's cable modems because they failed to turn
`on the optional password feature of their wireless systems.
`
`Kinds of Networks
`
`Still, nothing beats the freedom of wireless networking, particularly if you're a laptop
`lover; you can set up shop almost anywhere in the house or in the yard, slumped into
`any kind of rubbery posture. No matter where you go within your home, you're online
`at full speed, without hooking up a single wire.
`
`FireWire Networks
`Not many PCs have Fire Wire jacks ( often called, unpoetically, IEEE-1394 connectors).
`If yours has a Fire Wire card, you probably bought it because you wanted to edit video
`you've captured on a DV camcorder.
`
`But if you have a handful of computers with Fire Wire cards installed, Windows XP
`offers one of the world's simplest and fastest methods of connecting them in a network:
`just hook them together with six-pin-to-six-pin FireWire cables. That's it-no hubs
`or boxes to buy. (Because a typical FireWire card has two jacks, you can link several
`computers together this way, like a chain.)
`
`Of course, this arrangement connects your computers only. It won't help if you want
`two computers in your house to be able to share a single cable modem or laser printer.
`Furthermore, FireWire cables can't be longer than 15 feet, which may cramp your
`networking style.
`
`Installing Drivers
`Regardless of which kind of networking cards you install, your next obligation is to
`install their software drivers. If you're lucky, the Plug and Play feature, or the installer
`that came with the card, takes care of this for you. If you weren't so lucky, see Chapter
`14 for advice on what to do when Plug and Play fails.
`
`Internet Connection Sharing
`If you have cable modem or DSL service, you're a very lucky individual. Not only do
`you get spectacular speed when surfing the Web or doing email, but your connection
`is on full time. You never have to wait for some modem to dial (screeching all the
`way), and wait again for it to disconnect. It's just too bad that only one PC in your
`household or office can enjoy these luxuries.
`
`Fortunately, it doesn't have to be that way. You can spread the joy of high-speed In(cid:173)
`ternet to every PC on your network in either of two ways:
`
`• Buy a router. A router (also called a residential gateway) is a little box, costing
`about $80, that connects directly to the cable modem or DSL box. In some cases,
`it doubles as a hub, providing multiple Internet jacks into which you can plug your
`PCs. As a bonus, a router provides excellent security, serving as a firewall to keep
`out unsolicited visits from hackers on the Internet.
`
`CHAPTER lT SETTTNG UP A NETWORK
`
`519
`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`lnlemet Connedion
`Sharing
`
`• Use Internet Connection Sharing (JCS). JCS is a feature of Windows XP. Like a
`router, it distributes a single Internet signal to every computer on the network.
`Unlike a router, it's free. You just fire it up on the one PC that's connected directly
`to your cable modem or DSL box-or, as networking geeks would say, the gateway
`or host PC.
`
`But there's a downside: If the gateway PC is turned off, nobody else in the house
`can go online. Furthermore, you have to install two Ethernet cards into the gateway
`PC: one that goes to the cable modem or DSL box and another that connects it
`to the hub.
`
`Most people think ofICS in terms of expensive Internet accounts like cable modems
`and DSL. But it offers advantages even for PCs with standard dial-up modems.
`For example, more than one PC can be online at the same time, which can be a
`sanity saver in certain households. JCS also lets you park PCs in rooms that don't
`actually have phone jacks.
`
`Even if you don't intend to share an Internet connection in this way, it's important to
`have some understanding of these concepts before running the Network Setup Wizard.
`Many of the questions it will ask pertain to the notion of connection sharing.
`
`Tip: If you do intend to use Internet Connection Sharing, you need to make sure the gateway PC can already
`get onto the Internet, on its own, before you attempt to run the Network Setup Wizard. (The gateway PC should
`also be running Windows XP, although the other computers can be running earlier versions of Windows.)
`
`The Network Setup Wizard
`Once you've set up the networking equipment, you have to inform Windows XP
`about what you've been up to. You also have to configure your computers to share
`their files, folders, printers, modems, Internet connections, and so on. Fortunately, the
`Network Setup Wizard handles this duty for you. (You must have an Administrator
`account to run this wizard.)
`
`To launch the wizard, choose Start(cid:157) Control Panel, and then open Network Con(cid:173)
`nections. In the task pane at the left side of the window (Figure 17-2), click the link
`that says, "Set up a home or small office network."
`
`Tip: If you've chosen to hide your task pane, you can choose Start(cid:157) AII Programs(cid:157) Accessories(cid:157)
`Communications(cid:157) Network Setup Wizard instead.
`
`A welcome message appears; click Next. The remaining screens of the wizard are as
`follows:
`
`"Before you continue"
`The screen contains a link called "Checklist for creating a network." If you click it,
`you see a help page that guides you through the steps of setting up a network. It in(cid:173)
`corporates much of the information you've read so far in this chapter.
`
`520
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`WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION: THE MISSING MANUAL
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`EX 2009
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`It also reminds you that if you plan to use Internet Connection Sharing, described
`earlier, you should ensure that your gateway Windows XP machine can get online
`before proceeding with the wizard. When you're finished reading the checklist, close
`its window, and then click Next.
`
`The Network
`Setup Wizard
`
`Figure 17-2:
`Left: Start the Network
`Setup Wizard by click(cid:173)
`ing this link.
`Right: Select the
`option that best de(cid:173)
`scribes this computer's
`relationship to the
`Internet. If the PC will
`be the gateway to
`the Internet for other
`PCs on the network,
`choose the first option.
`Otherwise, just choose
`Other to tell the wizard
`as much.
`
`Sec Also
`
`Seleci the <lalemont !hot t,e,t dew ibe, this C<ltlll'A•r.
`0 Thi< """9Jt0< c:on.-«ls di!eotly lo the /nte,nel The othei compute,: on ~ nelwcxk ccmeci
`to the lntetnel ttvough thi, C<ltlll'Aer,
`VrewMmmole.
`0 Ttu """9Jte< connects to the /nte,nel tlwough onolhe, compute, on~ netwo,k a tlwough
`• re,idential gateway.
`v~anel<aQ'IDk.
`
`Oth~r Pl~ceJ
`
`0 011 ..
`
`I < Bock
`
`)l Next >
`
`j I Cancel
`
`"Select a connection method"
`The next wizard window starts the process of setting up Internet Connection Sharing
`(see Figure 17-2, right).
`
`Your next step depends on your plans for your network and Internet use:
`
`• Each PC will go online independently. If sharing a single Internet connection isn't
`the point of your networking efforts, click the Other button (Figure 17-2); on the
`next screen, click "This computer connects to the Internet directly or through
`a network hub." In other words, your various networked PCs will each connect
`directly to the Internet. No connection sharing is involved.
`
`• This is the computer with the connection. If the computer you're at now is the
`one connected to the Internet-that is, if it's the gateway computer-click the fin.,t
`option: "This computer connects directly to the Internet. The other computers on
`my network connect to the Internet through this computer" (Figure 17-2).
`
`Tip: If your DSL service is for multiple fixed IP addresses, then your computers can share the connection
`without having to choose one single computer as the host.
`
`• This isn't the computer with the connection. If you like the idea of sharing a PC's
`Internet connection, but the machine you're using now isn't the gateway machine,
`
`CHAPTER 17 : SETTING UP A NETWORK
`
`521
`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`The Network
`Setup Wizard
`
`choose the second option: "This computer connects to the Internet through another
`computer on my network or through a residential gateway."
`
`• You have a router. If you've bought a router (residential gateway) box, you won't
`be needing the built-in Windows Internet Connection Sharing feature. Once again,
`you should click the second option ("This computer connects to the Internet
`through another computer on my network or through a residential gateway").
`
`• You don't plan to use the Internet at all. If you just want to set up connections
`among your computers-but none of them ever goes online-click Other, then
`click the Next button, and then turn on "This computer belongs to a network that
`does not have an Internet connection."
`
`"Select your Internet connection"
`If you indicated that the computer you're setting up will indeed be connecting to
`the Internet, the wizard now shows you a list of the ways you've set up for your PC
`to get online (Figure 17-3). Each represents a different method of getting onto the
`Internet- via network (Local Area Connection), America Online dialup, your DSL
`account, or whatever. Turn on the one you want to use, and then click Next.
`
`~ ~--------------~----
`
`.. - --..-~
`-
`Network Setup Wizard
`
`Give this computer a de$cription and name.
`
`Compute, desc,iption:
`
`I Monica's Computer
`
`E•amplos: Fami!y Room Compute, 01 Monica's Computer
`
`IJ
`
`Figure 17-J:
`Top: Every computer on a
`Windows network (even a
`big network in a business
`environment) must have
`a unique name. Computer
`names and workgroup names
`are limited to 15 characters,
`without spaces. Hyphens and
`apostrophes are OK, but most
`other punctuation is forbidden.
`Bottom: Tell the wizard how
`this machine connects to the
`~
`Internet. See Chapter 9 to find
`Iii.ii
`out how these account names
`got here.
`
`Compute< name:
`
`!MONICA
`E•amples: FAMILY or MONICA
`- ~~-~----------·------ -
`Network Set.up Wizard
`
`.
`
`·--·----
`
`Select _your Inte rnet connection.
`
`---- ---- -
`
`__
`
`.
`
`--
`
`Select you, lntemet connection hom the following litt.
`
`The wizard has preselected "Local Area Connection" a• the connection that i•
`most likely to b e correct.
`
`Connections:
`.LiMtMii·l,i,Gi•Miil&Ml\ll•Al❖l•s1@t=iMiMI
`ti Ea,thLink hogster2000 Lucent Win Modem
`l.. America Online
`Lucent Win Modem
`
`Leain more about how to de(ermine your lnteinet. connection.
`
`< Back
`
`Jli Next> J [ Cancel
`
`522
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`WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION: THE MISSING MANUAL
`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`The Network
`Setup Wizard
`
`"Give this computer a description and name"
`On this wizard page (Figure 17-3 ), you see a place to give your PC its own, unique
`name. For example, if you have a laptop and a desktop PC, you might give them names
`like Portege and Millennia (or Kirk and Spock, for all Windows cares). Of course, you
`already gave your computer a name when you installed Windows XP; that should be
`the name you see here.
`
`"Name your network"
`On the screen, you're supposed to make up a name for your workgroup (mini-net(cid:173)
`work). Every PC on your network should have the same workgroup name (it doesn't
`have to be MSHome, much as Microsoft might like it).
`
`"Ready to apply network settings"
`Click Next. On the next wizard screen, you see a summary of your settings. If it all
`looks good, click Next, and wait a few minutes while the wizard scurries around, ap(cid:173)
`plying various internal settings.
`
`''You're almost done"
`Your first PC may now be correctly configured to be part of an office network, but it
`faces the problem of the first telephone owner: Who ya gonna call?
`
`Your next step, therefore, should be to run the Network Setup Wizard again on each of
`your other PCs. As indicated by the wizard screen before you now, getting the wizard
`onto those other machines depends on what version of Windows they're using:
`
`• If the next PC has Windows XP. Click the bottom option here, "Just finish the
`wizard." Click Next, and then click Finish.
`
`Now move to the next computer; start the Network Setup Wizard on it, exactly
`the way yo