How to Network a Desktop and a Laptop

How to Network a Desktop and a Laptop

If you have a desktop and a laptop in your home, then learning how to network a desktop and a laptop is a must. When you network your desktop and laptop, you can share files and a printer, among many other things. The steps below will show you how to network a desktop and a laptop.

1. Purchase a router. The laptop must have a wireless card installed. If the laptop you are trying to network to your desktop is new, then it will have a wireless card installed.
2. Connect the router. You need an Ethernet cable. Connect the Ethernet cable to your DSL or cable modem in a port called "internet" or "WAN." This will allow the router to receive the signal.
3. You should have gotten an Ethernet cable with your router. Plug one end into your PC. Plug the other into the back of the router in a port labeled 1, 2, 3 or 4; use whichever port you want.
4. Configure the router. Your router should have come with an installation CD. Put in this CD and go through the online instructions. It will ask you for some information, such as a name for your network, security settings, etc.
5. Share the files. For Windows 7 and Windows Vista, open the Network and Sharing Center and click "Change Advanced Sharing Settings" in the left pane. Check to see if "File and Printer Sharing" and "Network Discovery" are enabled.

You should now be able to network your desktop and laptop and share files between both.

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Setting Up Home Wireless Network

Setting up home wireless network – Introduction

Thinking of setting up home wireless network?

Everyone has gone digital today with all our music, photos and videos stored on our home PCs.

We can do so much more today with our PCs such as video editing, creation of photo collages, playing online games etc.

Setting up a home wireless network gives us the opportunity to ‘share it all’ with our friends and family.
Setting up a home wireless network needn’t be intimidating and the benefits are enormous.

Setting up home wireless network – Router

If you already have a broadband internet connection, adding a wireless router will allow you to not only share your internet connection with all of your home PCs and laptops but also the built in router switch and wireless access point will allow your home PCs to communicate directly with one another allowing the instant sharing of all of your music, video, photos and other media.Not only that but the wireless routers built in hardware firewall and wireless data encryption will protect all of your PCs and laptops from online threats and anyone trying to break in to your wireless home network.
Wireless allows our entire home PCs, laptops and other digital wireless devices to link up wherever we are in and around our home - all without the mess and nuisance of wires.
Setting up a home wireless network will also enable you to build a wireless home media network allowing you to stream video and music around your home and to your home TV! 

Setting up home wireless network – Printer sharing

Another use for your home wireless network is the sharing of a wired or wireless printer connected to one of your home PCs or even better, direct to your router via a print server which will not require you to leave a PC on.A wireless printer could be placed anywhere allowing you to situate it conveniently for all to use or to keep your home neat and tidy by tucking it out of the way. 

Setting up home wireless network – Easy backup

The addition of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device can act as a file server so that anyone on your home network can access files and media at any time without relying on one or more PCs being permanently powered on by backing up all files to one convenient place.These babies are much cheaper to run than a PC and can be left powered up on your network with all of your PCs and laptops etc having direct access to files and media via your home wireless network.
Hey, you can also get them with a built in print server!
A NAS will allow you the freedom and convenience of storing all of your music and video in one accessible ‘on demand’ place with a music or video streaming device connected to your home entertainment system and your wireless network providing instant access to your media.
A NAS will also make the process of file and data backup a snap! 

Setting up home wireless network – Wireless gaming

Connect up your games consoles too!Xbox 360, Wii, Playstation – these can all be connected up to your home wireless network very simply and the Xbox 360 and Playstation are capable of streaming music and video ‘as is’ with very little setting up to do. 

Setting up home wireless network – It’s so easy!

On this site you will find all you need to know for setting up a home wireless network that need not cost the earth and is extremely quick and easy to do – the advent of wireless has made it all so much easier for anyone to set up a home wireless network.You’ll find help here with setting up, troubleshooting, security etc and all in simple terms with clear instructions and accompanying pictures.



Most PCs and generally all laptops today will come with built in network capabilities.
Laptops should all have wireless capabilities built in and desktop PCs will generally have on-board wired Ethernet LAN capabilities and sometimes wireless capabilities too.
Older laptops may not have these wireless capabilities built-in but not to worry, its easy to add this function and we show you how on this site with clear simple instructions.
Likewise we show you how to add wireless capabilities to a desktop PC enabling every PC and laptop in your home to join in the fun!
Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 are all geared towards the simple set up of a wireless network (Windows XP will need Service Packs 2 and 3 installed and Windows Vista should have Service Pack 1 installed prior to setting up) and you will find all you need to know to set up your wireless router and wireless network adapters within this site. 

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Setting up a Wireless Network Adapter

Setting up a Wireless Network Adapter – Introduction

Read on to learn how to install and set up your wireless network adapter.

Here you will find all you need to know to set up your wireless adapter for your PC or laptop.

Be sure to read ourInstalling a Wireless Network Adapter page for details on the options available to you and advice on choosing an adapter.
If you have a new PC or laptop then you will probably already have wireless networking capabilities built in and you can probably skip the next few steps and carry on to the installing software and drivers section.

Setting up a Wireless Network Adapter – Built In Support

If you are not sure if your PC has a network adapter already installed you can check for this very easily by going to the ‘Start’ menu > ‘Control Panel’ and clicking on ‘System and Maintenance’.Click on 'Hardware then click on ‘Device manager’ 

Look down the list of devices and next to ‘Network Adapters’ click on the + sign to expand the listing.Now simply look for an adapter description that has ‘Wireless’ in the name somewhere and if you find one you pretty much know that you are good to go!
For Windows 7 users you will need to go ‘Start’, right click on ‘Computer’ and then select ‘Manage’.
Now click on ‘Device Manager’ in the list on the left hand side of the window and then click the arrow on the resultant drop down list next to ‘Network Adapters’ to expand the network adapter list and check for installed wireless network adapters.

If you’ve just installed an adapter you can use the above to check that your Wireless Network Adapter has been installed correctly.Double click on the device name and you will see a ‘Device status’ window which will tell you if your device is working correctly – if not you will have the option to re-install the driver.
Ok, if you do not have built in wireless network support you will need to choose a wireless network adapter for your PC or laptop.
First take a look at 'Installing a Wireless Network Adapter' for advice and help in choosing the correct type for your PC or laptop then return here for help in setting up your new wireless network adapter. 

Setting up a Wireless Network Adapter – Install your adapter

Ok, now to plug in your adapter. Some manufacturers require you to install the drivers first prior to inserting your adapter, some do not.Check and confirm the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure – if you don’t have these you will need to visit the manufacturer’s website.
It’s often a good idea to do this anyway as you can then be sure that you have the latest ‘up to date’ drivers as the manufacturers often update these.
Usually you will need to install the drivers first before installing your adapter otherwise Windows will not recognise your adapter – note that Windows does have native support for many manufacturer’s adapters making it possible to simply plug in your adapter and Windows will recognise it and configure it automatically.
Once the drivers are installed and after your adapter has been fitted, Windows should detect your adapter and complete the configuration and installation process.
Following this a message will appear telling you that there are wireless networks available.
Note – If you are installing a USB or CardBus (PCMCIA) type adapter you can simply plug them into an available port whilst your PC or laptop is running.
PCI card type adapters will need to be installed inside your desktop PC case. 

Setting up a Wireless Network Adapter – PCI Card Installation

To install a PCI card type wireless network adapter you must first turn off and remove the power from your desktop PC.Be sure to take anti-static precautions - we strongly recommend the use of an anti-static wrist strap. These are not very expensive to buy and will come in handy whenever you do an upgrade or work on your PC.If you really insist on not using one then do at least ensure that you ground yourself by touching something that is connected to a good earth.Now open up your PC case and identify a free PCI slot.
You will need to remove the blanking plate at the rear of your PC case corresponding to your free PCI slot.
The backing plate will either be held in place by a plastic locking bracket or with a single screw.
Remove the blanking plate and then carefully insert your PCI wireless network adapter card into the spare slot.
The card should slide in fairly easily but will require firm pressure to push fully home.
Now replace the blanking plate screw or plastic locking tab to lock home the rear panel bracket of your new PCI wireless network adapter card.
Replace your PC case cover and connect up the wireless network card antenna which was supplied with your new card – you will see a small threaded connector on the PCI card backing plate which the antenna will screw onto.
Finger tight is just fine here – don’t over do it! 

Setting up a Wireless Network Adapter – Installing software and drivers

Now you’re all set to install the software – again follow the manufacturer’s instructions.Many manufacturers have their own wireless utility software to set up, configure and identify wireless networks.
If you want to use this that’s fine but Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 are all capable of managing your wireless connection for you.
When you have installed your adapter into your PC or laptop Windows should automatically detect it and may prompt you to insert the manufacturers CD or just continue with automatically configuring your adapter.
When Windows has finished configuration a message should appear telling you that wireless networks are available.
If you are using Windows XP you will need to click on the desired network corresponding to your own network name (SSID) and then click on the ‘Connect’ button.
If encryption has been enabled you will need to enter your password or ‘Network Key’.
If you are connecting to your own network this will be the password that you set up in your wireless router configuration page.
If you have forgotten what this is simply open up a web browser page, on a PC that is connected to your network and logon to your router by typing in your username and password that you set up during wireless router configuration.
For more help on this check out our Setting up a Wireless Router page.
Connection can also be made by right clicking on the wireless network icon in the notification area at the bottom right hand corner of your screen and selecting ‘View Available Wireless Networks’ which will display a list of networks.
Select the network you wish to connect to by selecting the network SSID by clicking on it and then activating your connection by clicking on the ‘Connect’ button.
If you are connecting to a wireless hotspot you will need to ask for the password if required.
For Windows Vista and Windows 7 users either right click on the wireless icon in the notification area at the bottom right hand corner of your screen or go ‘Start’ > ‘Control Panel’ and open up the ‘Network and Sharing Center’. 

You can also right click on the wireless icon in the notification area and select ‘Open Network and Sharing Center’.On the left hand side of the Network and Sharing Center window you will see a tasks list – click on ‘Connect to a network’. 

A list of available networks will now be displayed and you will be able to select your desired network by clicking on it and entering your password if required. Some adapters, as discussed earlier, may require you to use their own wireless network utility software.Again, if you have the choice between the manufacturers and Windows own inbuilt wireless network utility you should probably opt for the Windows offering.

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Home Network Attached Storage Device

Home Network Attached Storage Device - Introduction

Adding a Home Network Attached Storage device or NAS is one of the best ways to share and backup files on your home network.

You can add one easily to any home network but for the fastest access times you will want to have a wired Gigabit (1000M bits/s) Ethernet network running.

That doesn’t mean you can’t use this beauty with a Wireless network though! – wireless is fast catching up with the latest wireless 802.11n standard giving up to 300 M bits/s connection speeds.

Home Network Attached Storage Device – The Benefits

Why should you consider adding one to your home network?

Well, firstly, with everyone on your network storing their files and data individually on their own PCs and laptops, even though you have a network connecting you all together, if one of you wants access to some music files or photo’s for instance and the PC or laptop that they are stored on is off it’s pretty inconvenient to have to go turn that device on before you can gain access to them!

Kind of defeats the object of your network somewhat don’t you think?

Ideally you need a single point of access for all your files and data.

Secondly, what about some kind of backup plan?

You do have one now don’t you!

If you don't you'd best visit our Data backup page for more information on the options available to you.

Ok, well with a NAS you can set all of your PCs and laptops important files, photos, music and videos etc to be stored in one common ‘accessible by all’ place that is easy to back up and won’t require you to leave all your PCs and laptops powered on to give you access to each others files whenever you want.

A NAS provides a small, convenient, compact storage device that is much cheaper to run than a single PC let alone a whole bunch of them!

Many NAS devices also have an integral print server facility allowing easy ‘on demand’ access for all to a common printer. 

Home Network Attached Storage Device - Choosing

Yes a NAS is a little more expensive than a hard disk drive but the prices are coming down all the time and now can be quite affordable.

Of course we are talking here about the simplest NAS device with a single hard disk drive but you will also find versions with multiple hard disk drives configurable as RAID arrays which will give you data backup protection should one disk fail – a pretty common scenario.

To do this a RAID array is set up whereby all data and files are copied across your network to your NAS RAID configured disk drives which are running in parallel thereby protecting your data if one of the disk drives should fail.

Can’t afford the extra cost? Not to worry – a simple backup option can be achieved by plugging in a USB external drive or USB pen drive into one of the USB ports that most NAS devices have as standard.

The USB port can also be used to connect a USB printer and share it across your network if your NAS drive has a print server.

Are you getting the idea now of just how useful this baby is! 

Home Network Attached Storage Device – Wired or Wireless?

A NAS can also be purchased in a wired only format or wired with wireless interfaces.

As we said earlier, the wireless interface is a little slower than the wired type of connection but it does bring with it a neat and tidy solution.

The wired only Ethernet version will be far cheaper of course but it’s not a problem as your wireless router has an Ethernet port (usually four of them) at the back to which you will be attaching your wired NAS and ‘hey presto’ your NAS is now wirelessly accessible on your network via your wireless router too! 

Home Network Attached Storage Device - Location

The NAS device is designed to be left running all the time but you may find that the NAS cooling fans are a little noisy so you will need to choose a site for it carefully – somewhere like a cupboard maybe?

You will need to make sure that there is plenty of space around the NAS and plenty of airflow for ventilation – they do run quite warm and the hotter any PC component part gets usually the shorter its lifetime. 

Home Network Attached Storage Device – Easy Setup

Network Attached Storage devices generally support Microsoft’s ‘Universal Plug and Play’ (UPnP) which gives it the ability to connect to your home network with very little setting up to do.

If not, your NAS should come with its own drivers and setup software to allow you to connect to your network easily. These drivers may need to be installed first before attaching the NAS to your network – read the manufacturers documentation carefully.

To configure your NAS you will use a setup utility supplied by the manufacturer or via a web browser interface.

Check the information carefully before purchasing to ensure the NAS is compatible with your version of Windows etc.

If the NAS supports ‘UPnP’ then Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 are all compliant and adding a NAS will be a very simple process.

Remember, a wired NAS will need to be connected up to a free Ethernet port on your home wireless router using CAT5e or CAT6 Ethernet cable between the NAS and router ports.

Some devices may require you to install software on all of your PCs and laptops but if it is UPnP compliant this is unlikely.

For Windows XP users you will need to go to ‘Add / Remove Windows components’ and select ‘Network Services’ then click the ‘Details’ button. Now check the tick box in the window that appears for ‘UPnP User Interface’.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 should have UPnP enabled by default.

With this completed you can attach your NAS and it should now be seen as an icon in ‘Network Places’ which you can access from your ‘Start’ menu.

You should now be able to copy files onto your NAS device.

Go around each of your PCs and laptops and check that you can access your NAS – go to ‘Network Places’ and check that you can copy some test files onto your NAS. 

Home Network Attached Storage Device - Troubleshooting

If you have problems accessing your NAS then you should first check your manufacturer’s instructions to confirm that you have set it up correctly.

Is the network cable connected correctly?

Have you configured your wireless router to run as a DHCP server?

Is your NAS configured to obtain an IP address automatically?

If all else fails you should try reinstalling the NAS drivers and also reboot your router and PCs etc. 

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