Linking Two Computers?

[anotheoldgit]

Does anyone know how I can link two computers together? i.e. I want to be able to gain access to any documents etc that are stored on my main computer which is located upstairs in my office, onto my laptop situated in other rooms in my house.

My main computer operates on Windows XP and my laptop on Windows Vista.

PS Would it also be possible to receive this information from my main computer to my Sony Xperia phone and to my Tablet?

[hc4361]

You need to put both computers in the same 'workgroup'.

Explained on this link under the heading, 'If your network contains computers running different versions of Windows, put all computers in the same workgroup'

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/networking-home-computers-running-different-windows#networking-home-computers-running-different-windows=windows-7

[sp1814]

AOG

Alternatively you could use your provider's 'cloud' solution.

I have a Mac, so I'm not an expert on Windows-based technology, but I hear good things about Google Drive. Once you upload documents from one PC, you can access them from your laptop, tablet. smartphone etc.

http://uk.pcmag.com/google-drive/15854/review/google-drive

The downside is that you aren't actually accessing your documents on you home network, rather - you're pulling them down from the cloud. This might be an issue if you don't have a reliable (or slow) Internet connection.

There are also some who are wary about the security of cloud-based solutions, so if I were in your shoes (and I am, because I use Apple's iCloud to store documents, emails and my calendar items), I would look into setting up a very strong password, together with 'two step verification':

https://www.google.com/landing/2step/

It's very easy to set up and gives much better protection than a simple password.


Finally, I highly recommend downloading an excellent app called 1Password. I have recently read some horror stories of people who have had their accounts hacked partly because they have easily guessable passwords. If you are considering storing any sensitive documents in the cloud, having a strong password is essential.

1Password works like this:

You download the app (there's versions for Windows, Android, iOS and OS X), and you create a record for each of your online logins. You can tell the app just how complex you want the password to be (and how many special characters, upper case characters and number to include).

1Password will securely hold these password for you, so whenever you need to log on, all you need to so is open 1Password and tell it to fill in your details.

1Password generates passwords like these:

BkItKEChzD4ejF4Yg(OM

Impossible to guess.

[jno]

and impossible to remember!

[hc4361]

I use Google Drive a lot - I like it because I can access my documents from any internet connected pc in the world, also on my smartphone and tablet.

I still network my pcs and laptop because I have a huge music, film and photo collection which is far too big to be stored in a free cloud.

[hc4361]

jno, you don't need to remember them, that's the point of it.

I use something similar, LastPass, and have done for years, mainly because it works on all my machines and gadgets including my Blackberry smartphone.

[anotheoldgit]

Thank you for your answers, I think I will try and set up a 'workgroup' as outlined in hc's link.

Apart from music files I don't think I would trust any 'Clouds' thanks all the same sp.

[hc4361]

Any luck?