connecting a laptop, computer & 2 USB devices into a network

DDD

i want to create a network in which i can easily send files between a laptop
& computer & access peripherals.

----------------------------------------------------------
1) First of all is it possible to send files to a computer on a network when
one of the PC's is turned off?
---------------------------------------------------------
I have one laptop running 32bit vista home premium which has a wireless
network card (& i dont move it around that often)

i have a desktop computer with 32bit vista home premium which does not have
a wireless network hard drive

i have a USB printer (old) installed on the computer (want in network)

i have a 500GB external hard drive that can connect to both computer &
laptop via USB (want in network)

i have a wireless router & modem (& other stuff needed to connect to the
internet)
-----------------------------------------------------------
2) i was wandering how do i connect theses computers & peripherals together
so that i can access files (edit open delete) & have accessed to peripherals
that are connected to the other PC.
------------------------------------------------------------
3) Is it possible to have a network in which my laptop can still make use of
its wireless network card so that i DONT have to attach an ethernet cable or
something to it
----------------------------------------------------------

(Both PC's are already connected to internet by the way)
----------------------------------------------------------
4) what is a hybrid network & could i use this
----------------------------------------------------------

Any step by step guides would be great.

LVTravel

***Answers inline and at bottom***


"DDD" <DDD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1D445A20-EB8E-4556-8F84-796B1EE460F0@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> i want to create a network in which i can easily send files between a
> laptop
> & computer & access peripherals.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> 1) First of all is it possible to send files to a computer on a network
> when
> one of the PC's is turned off?[/color]

NO. Off means Off.
[color=blue]
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> I have one laptop running 32bit vista home premium which has a wireless
> network card (& i dont move it around that often)[/color]

Proper shares set up and you will have no problem[color=blue]
>
> i have a desktop computer with 32bit vista home premium which does not
> have
> a wireless network hard drive[/color]

Same as for laptop. Proper shares.[color=blue]
>
> i have a USB printer (old) installed on the computer (want in network)[/color]

Hook it to the desktop and set up share over network[color=blue]
>
> i have a 500GB external hard drive that can connect to both computer &
> laptop via USB (want in network)[/color]

Hook to desktop and share the drive - set up drive mapping on the laptop -
can then be seen on both computers.[color=blue]
>
> i have a wireless router & modem (& other stuff needed to connect to the
> internet)
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> 2) i was wandering how do i connect theses computers & peripherals
> together
> so that i can access files (edit open delete) & have accessed to
> peripherals
> that are connected to the other PC.
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> 3) Is it possible to have a network in which my laptop can still make use
> of
> its wireless network card so that i DONT have to attach an ethernet cable
> or
> something to it
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
> (Both PC's are already connected to internet by the way)[/color]

Since both PCs are connected to internet you are there except for setting up
sharing and mapping of drives.

[color=blue]
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> 4) what is a hybrid network & could i use this
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
> Any step by step guides would be great.
>[/color]



Step-by-step guides to help you. Read to your heart's content


[url]http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-us/help/76174f4a-7522-425a-9424-324dd299265e1033.mspx[/url]

[url]http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/biztools/article.php/3667576[/url]

[url]http://www.pcworld.com/article/102461/how_to_set_up_your_home_network.html[/url]

[url]http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/vista/Vista_network_options.shtml[/url]