Mapping Drives

Discussion in 'Networking and Computer Security' started by oliver79, Jan 14, 2007.

  1. oliver79

    oliver79 Geek Trainee

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    Hi all,

    Just wondering if someone could help me with the following issue: I currently have a PC and laptop running XP. I have a Netgear wireless router which the laptop connects to access the internet. Now I would like to map the C:\ on the PC, thus allowing me to access the drive via the laptop. Could someone please help explain the process to setting this up!

    I ran the simple home network wizard, however, this proved ineffective as it required the laptop to connect to the router using the internal network card. My wish is to access the drive wirelessly.

    Thanks in advance.

    Olly
     
  2. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    well if you've got a wireless router which (i think) can only provide a net connection to the wireless network, i think you need to be using a USB wireless adapter to be able to access the HDD on the desktop PC wirelessly from tour laptop

    BTW: Network Magic may be helpful to you
     
  3. oliver79

    oliver79 Geek Trainee

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    Hi,

    Yes, the laptop is WiFi enabled.

    As I stated I attempted to shared drives and folders, however, this proved unsuccessful, therefore I would appreciate any assistance into how I could map my C: for wireless access via other WiFi enabled devices (laptop).

    Many thanks
     
  4. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    let me clarify: i think it is impossible to "share" the folders on your desktop system, to enable you to access the folders / files from the laptop, i think you need to disable the wifi on your router and add a USB wireless adapter to the desktop system to enable access to the desktop folders / files and also allow access to the net

    BTW: sorry, hope this post helps you understand
     
  5. oliver79

    oliver79 Geek Trainee

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    Yes, it is a shame that wireless access to mapped drives isn't possible! So only access on can have is through hardware i.e. RJ-45 network access.

    Thank you anyway for you're input.

    Olly
     
  6. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    no, i think routers only allow net access and do NOT allow "reverse" access (allow access to the files & folders on the system connected to the wireless router

    a wireless router only allows systems (wireless or wired) access to the net and NOT access the systems that have net access

    try thinking of a wireless router as 2 one way networks

    both systems have access to the net, but the systems can not access each others files of folders

    like i said: to allow access to the files & folders on your desktop system, i think you need to disable the wifi on the router and buy a USB wifi adapter, like this or even a PCI card like this
     
  7. thoonie

    thoonie hmmm....

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    Ok lets clarify this, How is your laptop and desktop connected to the router? Answer that and we will cary on from there.

    And yes you can access files and folders to any PC which is connected through the same router, wired or wirelessly. Unless you have set Wireless Isolation on your router.
     
  8. beretta9m2f

    beretta9m2f Karate-Chop Action Gabe

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    I have a desktop and a laptop. The desk top is wired to my wireless/wired linksys router. The laptop is connected to the router wirelessly. I have full access to my shared files and folders and can make any drive sharable. Go to "my network places" on the laptop and on the sidebar click the "set up a wireless network for a home or small office" I think thats how i did it. Then from there you can even print from a printer that is connected to the desktop. As for the desktop, i believe you do "set up a home or office network" not the wireless kind. Once both computers have restarted and all that good stuff, go to workgroup computers in "my network places" and you should be able to see your laptop and desktop's names, then just set up what you want to be shared from there.

    Sorry if the info is broken i did this once and never had to mess with it again...its been a year.

    and check your firewall...most firewalls block the port that windows uses for file/printer sharing....open that port if you want to keep your firewall up but still share files.
     
  9. oliver79

    oliver79 Geek Trainee

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    Router is connected to PC via network card, Laptop connects to router via WiFi.
     
  10. thoonie

    thoonie hmmm....

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    Ok, to map a network folder, do the following.
    1. Right click the folder you want to share ( In your case, its the C:/ of your PC). Then choose properties.
    2. Click the Sharing tab, now there is a possibility that your C:/ drive is on a default share, with a share name of C$. You need to disable it first ( Click do not share this folder and then apply ) then click share this folder, name it to any share name you want ( for example, mysharedrive ) then click apply.
    3. (OPTIONAL) For security purposes sharing C:/ is not really advisable, to put some security on it, you might want to set the number of users who can connect to the shared drive.
    4. Restart it then check and take note of the PC's IP address.
    5. On your laptop, open up Windows explorer. On the address bar. Type -
    //PCipaddress (for example : //192.168.0.1 ).
    6. You should be able to see now the shared folder of the PC, right click that folder and choose Map Network drive and your done.

    Note: If you have any software firewalls installed on both systems, be sure to allow the connections for both.

    Any questions just please get back to us.
     

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