Windows XP Networking / Internet Tips, Tricks and Tweaks

Knowing Network Neighborhood

If you have other computers on your network that have file sharing enabled, accessing those files is as easy as accessing files on your own computer. Here's how:

-In Windows XP, go to Start>> My Network Places. Here, you will find a list of the other computers on your LAN (Local Area Network).
-In Windows 98, double-click the Network Neighborhood icon on your Desktop to see a list of the other computers on the network.

In either case, if the other computers have file sharing enabled, you should be able to open documents stored on them or copy files to your PC. If you don't see or can't access the other computers in My Network Places or Network Neighborhood, then chances are file sharing is not properly configured.

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Internet Connection Sharing

To enable Internet Connection Sharing on a network connection:

Open Network Connections.
Click the dial-up, local area network, PPPoE, or VPN connection you want to share, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.
On the Advanced tab, select the Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection check box.
If you want this connection to dial automatically when another computer on your home or small office network attempts to access external resources, select the Establish a dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access the Internet check box.
If you want other network users to enable or disable the shared Internet connection, select the Allow other network users to control or disable the shared Internet connection check box.
Under Internet Connection Sharing, in Home networking connection, select any adapter that connects the computer sharing its Internet connection to the other computers on your network.

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Using Remote Desktop

Windows XP Professional has a feature that will allow you to create your own virtual private network connection by remotely connecting two Windows XP Pro computers, and you can do this without installing any software.

To use the remote desktop feature, follow these steps:

HOST: On the host computer, right click My Computer>> Remote>> Check the checkbox "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer"
CLIENT: If you use Windows XP, the client software is already pre-installed. Go to Start Menu>> All Applications>> Accessories>> Communications >> Remote Desktop Connection.
CLIENT: If you use a pre-Windows XP system, you have to run msrdpcli.exe from the \support\tools folder of the Windows XP Professional installation CD.
CLIENT: When the Remote Desktop Connection box appears, enter the IP address of the HOST and click "Connect".

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Local Area Network Connection Information Shortcut

Instead of using a command prompt and typing in "ipconfig" to find local area network information, you can use the following shortcut:

Go to Start>> Connect to>> Show all connections.
Right click the connection that you would like to receive information about and then click "Status".
Select the Support tab in the connection properties dialog box.
For additional information, click the Details button.

If you would like to automatically enable the status monitor each time there is an active connection, here's how:

From the connection properties dialog box, select the "General" tab, then select Properties. Place a checkmark in the "Show icon in taskbar notification area when connected". Click OK and close all other networking connection windows.

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Internet Connection Sharing

If you would like to enable Internet Connection Sharing on a network connection, here's how:

Go to Start>> Control Panel>> Network Connections.
Double-click the dial-up, local area network (LAN), PPPoE, or VPN connection that you would like to share.
In the connection status window, click the Properties button.
In the connection properties window, click the Advanced tab.
Under the Internet Connection Sharing category, place a checkmark in the "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet Connection" check box.
Click OK, then close all other open windows.

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Enable Printer Sharing

Do you have more than one computer on a network and would like to share the same printer? In this tip I will outline how you can enable printer sharing in Windows XP. You will need to be logged in as Administrator.

Using the computer that has the printer that you would like to share connected to it. Go to:

Start>> Control Panel>> Printers and Faxes.
In the Printers and Faxes window, right click the default printer and select Sharing.. from the resulting menu.
In your printers properties window, tick the Share this printer option and click OK.

Your printer will now be available for other computers on your network to print from.

Using the networked computer, connect to your newly created shared printer:

Start>> Control Panel>> Printers and Faxes.
Click Add a Printer.
Using the Add Printer Wizard, choose to browse for a network printer when prompted.

That's it! Enjoy the freedom of printing from any computer within your network.

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Create a Shortcut to your LAN Information

If you would like to create a shortcut to your Local Area Networking information, here's how:

Go to Start>> Connect to>> Show all connections.
Right click the desired connection.
Click Properties.
Place a checkmark in the checkbox titled: Show icon in notification area when connected.
Click OK.

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Off-Line Web Browsing

Here is a feature that I have personally never used, but I have always had a reliable Internet connection. If you are not so lucky, then you may find this feature useful at times. To configure IE for offline browsing:

Open up the web site of choice and click the Favorites button.
Select Add to Favorites...
Tick the box that reads; "Make available offline"

Note: If you would like to be able view even linked pages of this selected web site, you can click the "Customize" button and follow the Offline Favorite Wizard to help you determine how much content you would like to make available offline.

Select a favorites folder to place it in
Click OK

To remove a web page from offline browsing:

Select Tools>> Synchronize...
De-select the check box next to the web page you would like to remove
Click Close

The de-selected web page will no longer show in this menu when re-entered.

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