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NetworkingThis month we bring you some tips and tricks on working with your home network.

NetWatcher:

NetWatcher is installed with a full installation of Windows 98. If it isn't installed on yourcomputer, go to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs and click on the 'Windows Setup' tab.

Click on 'System Tools', then 'Details' and check NetWatcher. You will be prompted to load theWindows 98 CD. NetWatcher allows you to se who is using the shared resources on your

computer, at any given time. You can use it to add shared folders or disconnect users from yourcomputer.

Searching for a server:If you work on a large LAN, then getting into a shared network resource or folder is tiresome.

You may find yourself stumbling through Network Neighbourhood and various workgroups. Thelisting of computers across the network may take time as well. Instead, type \\computer_name

in the explorer address bar. You can also click on Start > Run and type the \\computer_namecommand there to access the networked computer. This is the Universal Naming Convention(UNC) style network name.

Messaging across a LAN:You can send a quick message across the LAN using a standard and easy-to-use messagingWindows utility called WinPopUp. To use it, go to Start > Run and type 'winpopup' and click OK.

To send a message, click on Send-this opens a send message window. Type the message andthe persons name (Computer name) and click OK. Of course the drawback is that the person

you message should also have winpopup running.

ICF - Do you need it?:

Keep in mind that ICF (Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP) is for use only with a directconnection to the Internet, such as dial-up or a cable-modem connection. Those who connect

via a LAN, Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) or a hardware router, don't need an ICF. The ICFalso prevents 'File and Printer Sharing'. It would make sense to disable it if you connect via a

LAN and require access to shared resources. To disable, go to the Control Panel and click onNetwork Connections, right click on the desired connection and select Properties. Under the

advanced tab disable ICF.

Viewing Network Utilisation:

In Windows XP you can view the percentage of network utilisation in the Task Manager. Holddown the [Ctrl] + [Alt] + [Del] keys to open Task Manager, and click on the Networking tab.

You will see a real time display of network utilisation.

Faster Windows Sharing:

When you try to view the shared folders of computers that run on Windows 98/ME, fromcomputers that run Windows 2000, there is a delay of about 30 seconds. This happens because

Windows 2000 tries to determine if any 'Scheduled Tasks' are enabled on the other computer.To disable this, you have to create a registry entry in Windows 2000. Make sure you back-up

the registry before you do this. Go to Start > Run and type regedit to open the Registry Editor.Navigate to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RemoteComputer\NameSpace, and locate the subkey that reads {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}.Export and save this branch as, say, restoreshare.reg. After this is done, right click on the entry

and delete. This should solve the problem.

Connecting computers:

For networking two computers, you need two network adapters, and a crossover network cableof adequate length, with RJ-45 connecters on each end. Just connect each end of the cable into

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the network slot of the two computers. To network three or more computers, you need to havestandard CAT5 cables and adapters, and a hub or a switch to act as a central connection point.

PRINTERS 

Installing File and Print Sharing ServicesTo access and print files stored your computer with other computers on the network, you will

need to install File and Print Sharing Services. To do so in Windows 98, go to Start > Settings >Control Panel and click on Network. This will open up the Network utility menu. Enable File and

Print Sharing and click on OK.

Installing network printers:

You can access a number of shared printers across the network. To do so, you will need toinstall the printer within Windows-locate the computer that is sharing the printer on the network

from Network Neighbourhood. Right-click on the shared printer and choose Install-the AddPrinter wizard will guide you during the install. If you are printing from within Windows, tick No

for the printing from MS-DOS programs. The wizard will offer to print a test page to confirm thatthe printer is properly installed.

You can install the network printer as a default printer-within Windows, both local and network

printers are located under Printers in the Control Panel. Simply choose the printer and right-clickon it to get Set as Default.

Sharing a local printerIf you have a printer attached to your computer and want to share it across the network, go to

the Control Panel > Printers. Within the Printers folder, right-click on the printer you want toshare and select Sharing. Here, select Shared As and type in the name of the printer in the

Share Name field. To finish, click OK. The printer will now be shared across the network.

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