Setting up a network with different Operating systems


  1. Posts : 21
    windows 10
       #1

    Setting up a network with different Operating systems


    I need to set up a very small network with computers using older versions of Windows so I don't want to use homegroups. I believe I did set up a Workgroup network (which is the default name) which is fine and all the computers can see each other, but I haven't figured out how to allow the computers to share files, etc.

    If you click on a computer with Windows 10, it asks for a name and password.

    Do I need to create a user account on each computer? If so, is it possible to setup a generic name such as <companynameEmployee> for everyone? Kind of like using <guest>. This is a private network and only about 5 computers.

    I'm just not sure about the exact procedure to create a name, etc. as I'm not a computer guru, but I do know how to get into the user account, etc.

    I want to be able to give read/write privileges as well, not just read.

    Thanks for any help!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,091
    windows 10
       #2

    By default Windows pass's current login details to the PC your trying to login with so if you have the same username password then it's simple. Depending on how many PCs installing a server means yu can grant access to any pc the simple way is to save all files on just one pc so you only have to connect to one pc this lets you backup files as well. Another way is to create a very simple and file to map a drive and pass username and password so you then just click on it to connect
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 9,775
    Mac OS Catalina
       #3

    A LAN does not care what Operating System that you are using. A OS has zero effect on how the Router/Gateway handles traffic across the LAN or out the WAN interface to the Internet.

    Local accounts are still available on Windows 10. Homegroups have been around for quite a while and all that they are doing is sharing "Libraries", which are basically shortcuts to folders with a key to connect to them. Has zero effect again how a LAN works.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 21
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    bro67 said:
    A LAN does not care what Operating System that you are using. A OS has zero effect on how the Router/Gateway handles traffic across the LAN or out the WAN interface to the Internet.

    Local accounts are still available on Windows 10. Homegroups have been around for quite a while and all that they are doing is sharing "Libraries", which are basically shortcuts to folders with a key to connect to them. Has zero effect again how a LAN works.
    Thanks for the information. I had read that older systems (XP) are unable to network with the homegroup option and when I tried to make a homegroup, none of the computers could see the homegroup even though all the computers were off when the group was created.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 9,775
    Mac OS Catalina
       #5

    jonobugs said:
    Thanks for the information. I had read that older systems (XP) are unable to network with the homegroup option and when I tried to make a homegroup, none of the computers could see the homegroup even though all the computers were off when the group was created.
    Homegroup is a big failure on behalf in Microsoft's fault. On a normal network setup, no one uses it, because it is too restrictive and if something happens, you end up with having to go to each machine and removing the Homegroup information that is retained by the registry.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 21
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Okay, so I managed to network all the systems using Windows 10, but there is still one laptop that is stubborn (which is using Windows 7). Although all the computers can see this laptop, the laptop comes up with an error message when you click on the network icon in the file folder. I'm not sure why this is happening.

    Unfortunately, I'm not really able to understand what the error message says because it's in Japanese and my boss doesn't understand the Japanese meaning (although he is Japanese, he doeesn't understand tech stuff all that well) in order to translate it for me. I mean, what he says is not understandable.

    Just to be clear, I'm NOT tech support! I am just the 'guy' in the office who gets the computer things running while I'm doing my real job.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 9,775
    Mac OS Catalina
       #7

    Have your boss translate the message for you. If he could at least do that part, you could understand what the issue is. There are phone app's that can translate from a photo. The biggest mistake you made was being the Computer Girl Friday. Never let on to the bosses that you know about computers. If they do not pay you extra for doing computer problems, then the boss needs to either pay for you to take a second language course or hire someone who understands the Asian Language that is being used on his computer.
      My Computer


 

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