Teach Yourself Windows 95 Module 6: Networking and Working with Multiple Computers

Objectives of this Module Discussion of the Microsoft Network Creating and using briefcases Networking basics File and printer sharing Browsing a network Finding computers on a network Using dial-up networking

Objectives of this Module, (cont’d) Direct Cable Connection

The Microsoft Network is an information service, which you can set up in Windows 95. To set up this fee-based information and Internet service, double click The Microsoft Network on the desktop.

The Microsoft Network is covered in Chapter 15 in the textbook.

The My Briefcase icon on the desktop can be opened by double-clicking it.

This dialog box is then displayed, providing you with information about using the briefcase feature. Click the Finish button to continue.

The opened Briefcase window is then displayed. Files can be dropped in the open window to add them to the Briefcase.

To create a new Briefcase, right click on blank area on the desktop. When the context menu is displayed, click New, and then click Briefcase. A new Briefcase icon will be displayed on the desktop.

Just drag files from the desktop or any Explorer window to the open Briefcase window. The files are then copied into the Briefcase.

The Briefcase can then be copied to a floppy drive to be taken to another computer. Just drag it to the 3 1/2 Floppy (A:) icon in My Computer.

The Briefcase allows you to work on files in different computers,while keeping the versions updated on both computers. Briefcase files can also be transferred by direct cable connection. Using this method is especially useful when there are more files than will fit on a floppy disk.

Connecting two or more computers together to share files, printers, and other resources is referred to as networking.

To change network settings, right click the Network Neighborhood icon on the desktop, and then click Properties on the context menu. Alternately, you can double- click the Network icon in the control panel.

In order for others to use your files and printers, file and printer sharing must be enabled. Click the File and Printer Sharing button.

In the File and Print Sharing dialog box, select the resources you want to share, and then click the Okay button.

Clicking the Identification tab allows you to change your computer name, workgroup, and computer description. The computer name will be shown to other computers as they browse the network.

After turning file and printer sharing on, you still must share drives or folders before anyone can access them. To share a folder, right-click on its icon, then click Sharing on the context menu.

Click Shared As:, then change the access type as needed. You can also require a password to access your files, or to change them. Click the Okay button to complete the sharing process.

The shared folder appears as shown. A shared printer on your computer will appear similarly.

Double-clicking the Network Neighborhood icon opens the Network Neighborhood window. Here, you can see the computers connected to a network.

To find a computer on the network, you can click the Start button on the Taskbar, then go to Find, and then click Computer.

When the Find Computer dialog box opens, type the name of the computer you are looking for, and then click the Find Now button.

Dial-Up Networking allows you to connect to another computer, to a network, or to the Internet using standard telephone lines. Double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop, and then double-click the Dial-Up Networking icon.

When the Dial-Up Networking window opens, double-click the Make New Connection icon to create a new connection.

Enter a common name for the connection, and then click the Next button to continue.

Enter the phone number for the connection, and then click the Next button to continue.

Click the Finish button to complete setting up the connection.

Double-clicking the new connection opens the Connect To dialog box, which you can use to connect to the other computer.

Direct Cable Connection allows you to connect two computers, using their printer ports or serial ports. Direct Cable Connection can be found in the Accessories group.

The Direct Cable Connection dialog box. Here, you choose either Guest or Host for your computer. If one computer is the host, the other computer MUST be a guest, and vice-versa.

Next, select the port to be used for the connection. The Printer port is normally the fastest port to use.

You now have successfully configured Direct Cable Connection. Click the Finish button to continue.

The computer will then wait for the other computer to start communicating with it. Note that drives or folders must be shared before they can be accessed using Direct Cable Connection.

Teach Yourself Windows 95 This concludes Module 6