How to network the kids PCs to my Mac

[jcarter]

The kids will be here for school vacation week coming up in April and to do their homework and more, they want to network their PCs to our Macs.
Is this possible?
If so, how would you do it.

I looked on the net and the information is vast and conflicting.
It wont be for a couple of weeks, no rush.
Thanks,
Jane

[kbeartx]

Jane, you non-ignorant non-slut [simply beginning my reply w/ 'Jane' was enough to trigger Dan Ackroyd's voice in my memory], I wish I could remember what it took, but since it was 6 or 7 years ago that I last hadda peasea networked to my Mac, my memories of that activity elude my grasp, except for a few measly titbits:  I recall that some aspects of the connection/sharing process were accomplished on the peacee and other parts on the Mac, and it's very likely that the web data on this process appears confusing because there are so many flavors of both OSes and the small details vary with each iteration.  So there are many possible permutations and it's critical to sift through the available instructions and tips to find the correct set [such as Vista, or XP, or 7 connecting to Panther, or Tiger, or Leopard].

FWIW, this Google search at a glance seemed like it might contain some wheat among the chaff, but I didn't drill down to see for mice-elf...

And I'd be surprised if some other TS-ers don't have more recent and clearer memories of doing this personally and contribute their knowledge to this matter.


Kb

[chriskleeman]

Hi Jane,

Oh Kenny...

Depends on how much access you want them all to have to any given machine.

Basically, System Preferences>Sharing>then there is a menu box with all the sharing services you might want. Just check the boxes of particular service you'd like from the Mac. That's just to start... and that's just on the Mac, running in Leopard. What version of Windows are the PeeCee's running?

Then, another question is, are they all going to connect with each other through a wireless network? And is this through an Airport or a Router?

With a little more info, probably won't be too difficult to do. My MBP easily interfaces with the network at Bistro Henry where I work, with read and write privileges.

Chris K  

[jcarter]

The Macs are Leopard, not snow, and the PC, Im not sure, but I think their netbook is Vista, and the other laptop is Windows 7.
Thats a good link, I will save it for when they get here.

When they are here, the wireless works fine with my NetGear router, and I also can see their PC when I go to GO>Network for all our other Macs, but Ive never gone beyond that, except to get the Macs all up on the other desktops.
So Im not sure how the things would network with either the wireless, or the ethernet which all the Macs are hooked up with.

This will be fun.
Thanks,
Jane

[Xairbusdriver]

The mode/method of the network is not important, as long as everyone can see each other. It can even be mixed with some on Ethernet and some on WiFi. The only important details will be in your Mac(s) Sharing Pref Panel and their properties settings, somewhere in their systems innards, probably in something like Network or LAN. I think even Windows have things called Control Panels hat you/your kids can access easily.

<Here's the easy part.>
<This is somewhat dated, but claims to handle the 'other' side.>
<This one looks slightly more promising. But you'll still have to dig for the PC side...>

[jcarter]

Thank you!
Great links. I missed some of them, you have a knack to Google better links than I can get.

This is great, as they will be here for this weekend too.
I will put this info together and if we have time, we will give it a whirl.
Jane

[Frances144]

I have never been able to achieve this state of Nirvana so I gave up putting it down to too much hassle!

Best of luck, though.

[RHPConsult]

Jane:

I hope you don't need the lesson flowing from an abundance of network angst I recently experienced . . . over several months.

After repeatedly trying to get a software arrangement that would fully, smoothly and successfully link 3 Macs and 3 printers, it occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, there might be a hardware problem. That assemblage consisted of a new (11.n) Airport extreme and a fairly new Airport express. After resetting both more than once, I continued to have problems (essentially with only one link – involving my MacBook Pro – in the hoped-for network).

After several AppleCare phone conversations, TeeEss "consultations", and visits to the Genius Bar, it became clear that the Express had failed. Apple replaced it. No charge. Not easy, but ultimately, "no charge"

See This link

[jcarter]

I dont have Airport Express, at least I dont think I have. I just use my Netgear router with all my ethernet cables.
And the wireless from the Netgear hooks up the kids wireless PCs to the internet without a problem.
So if we need to move a file from one of their PCs, they just email it to one of my Macs.

What I was hoping that we could do, is like I have for all our Macs, we see their individual hard drives on the other Mac's desktops and you just double cllick on them, and youve got the whole other Mac on this one.  That was what I was thinking that could be done with their PCs.
Just see it on the desktop of one of the Macs, open it like you would an external HD, or one of the other Macs, and have all the files right there. Its the ones that they want to move to my PS program and work on here.  They dont have PS on their PCs. (Nor Dreamweaver.)

Im a bit confused, but I think that this might work?
Thanks,
Jane

[RHPConsult]

Sorry. I thought you had an Airport. You're not confused. You're waaaay down the road to success, already.

Start with "Go" on your Mac and see if, when everyone else is also is up and running, they then appear on your screen. If so, put their machines in/on the Favorites list.

If not, then you may have to tweak the Sharing preferences discussed above.

[jcarter]

Yup, with Go, I get all the computers in the whole house, even the ones appear there if they are only connected with Netgear wireless.
The last time the kids were here, one showed up as Machine, or something odd like that, but there it was, wouldnt do anything though.
I have saved the info and links above, so that when they get here, we can work on it.

Weather has turned really nice, for a change.
Jane

[RHPConsult]

Each, now has to have the proper Preference settings in SHARING in order to be available from any other.

I am clueless about the Winderz machines  – and NetGear (anything) – but with the Macs, having the proper computer name and user name is also important to effecting the proper connection.

[jcarter]

Yes, I found that I had not gotten the proper name for my husband's new Mac, but that was easy to fix.
The iPhone is also wireless and the Netgear works with it too.
Jane

[Paddy]

Jane, if all you're trying to do is share some Photoshop files, get a 4GB (or bigger or smaller - your choice) USB flash drive, load up their pics and move the flash drive to your Mac. Easy peasy, no banging head on wall.

I have tried, now and again, to file share with a Windows PC and unless you have some really serious file-sharing needs, then it can be definitely not worth the effort.

Your local Staples has these: http://www.staples.com/Staples-4GB-USB-Fla...C3:CG104:DP2168

(They may have a whole lot more in the store for less too - ours does)

Of course, your kids may already have USB flash drives - practically required for school kids these days and lots of people use them for transferring things from home to office. I think we have about 6 of them now, acquired at various times, for various purposes.

[jcarter]

OH, I forgot all about those things!  Ive got 2 fairly large ones.  And sometimes I have resorted to putting an empty camera flash memory card in, and using that.

Now all I need to do is find those USB thumb drives, they have to be around here somewhere,,,,,,,,,

Though its pretty easy just to email the PS files to my Mac, takes about 30 seconds.