Sharing music between computers (NOT p2p)

Factual Questions
1

I have about 25GB on my main computer. I want to be able to access this music from my other computer. I’ve tried using Windows XP’s file sharing, but it didn’t work. The two computers are plugged into a router, which then hooks into my cable modem. How can I access the music from my other computer without exposing my files to anyone on the Internet? Or, if that’s the only option, with password protection?

2

Set up a home network/workgroup. Make the file(s) with your music on it shared.

3

Do both computers have XP on them? The file sharing should work easily without fuss. I know it does in my house.

4

The computers have to be in the same workgroup, have at least one protocol in common, and both have microsoft client and file/printer sharing enabled. The folder where the music is located needs to be shared. I’d recommend making it a read only password protected share.

5

If your two computers have IPs on different subnets (not unheard of for cable connections), you’ll need to use a protocol other than IP, such as NetBEUI.

Having the computers on separate workgroups shouldn’t prevent file sharing from working, it’ll just make it harder to locate the other computer. You should be able to browse the other computer by name (start, run, “\computername”) even if they’re in different workgroups.

6

In a nutshell:

  1. The computers must have a protocol in common. Since this is 2003, that’ll lprobably be TCP/IP. If both have TCP/IP ,step 1 is complete.

  2. Make sure the computers are on the same subnet. Click on Start > Run and type CMD into the box and press enter. The ntype IPCONFIG in the command-prompt window and press enter. On both boxes you should see something like this: 192.168.x.y. On both boxes, the X value should be the same. On most home networks the Y values should be off by only one digit, but this is not nearly as important as the X value. So, PC1 should be 192.168.1.100 and PC2 should be 192.168.1.101.

  3. As mentioned, “File and Print Services” should be installed on both box’s network settings.

  4. If #3 is true, you need ot share the folder. Right click and select “Sharing”.