Which windows edition do i need ?

xp pro or vista business edition

if you want remote desktop (makes managing it a lot easier)


or use xp home or vista home basic, with vnc (3rd party remote software)


or.. you could put linux on there (free), don't ask me which one though, never really use it myself :)
 
do you have a router and two pc's in your house now?

find out the pc name of say the 2nd pc, on that pc create a folder in c: called say C:\Files

right click the folder and click Sharing and Security, then tick 'just enable file sharing'

go to first pc, start, Run type in \\pc2'sname then you'll see explorer show the shared folder, this is how you can put files on there without using the pc



if you want to 'go on' to the pc, then you should use remote desktop

pointless putting vista on it if it's just a home file server, windows 2000 with vnc would be ample :)
 
bledd. said:
do you have a router and two pc's in your house now?

find out the pc name of say the 2nd pc, on that pc create a folder in c: called say C:\Files

right click the folder and click Sharing and Security, then tick 'just enable file sharing'

go to first pc, start, Run type in \\pc2'sname then you'll see explorer show the shared folder, this is how you can put files on there without using the pc
Could the PC name be put into a shortcut or something bledd. Little brother and I could so with sharing files. We have a router and both PCs are connected to this.

It'd be great to just have a shortcut or icon to click to see the shared folder.
 
Windows home server doesnt need a lot too run on 512mb ram and 1ghz processor are recommended setup and just fill it with drives

When u get it you get 1 dvd and 2 cds the dvd is home server and the first cd is the client software u install on the none server pcs letting you access the server

The 3rd cd lets u reinstall the pcs connected too it via lan as u can create an image of each pc onto the home server
 
Mark,

in explorer, tools, 'map network drive'

or you can commandline..

net use x: \\pcname\sharename
 
If it is just photos and music you want to share a NAS would probably be better. A lot of NAS systems these days come loaded with software that helps you in sharing media too.

Building a new server and paying lots of money for a new copy of Windows is pretty overkill when a little box you can hide on a shelf will do an ample job.

If you really must go the server route Windows XP will be more than enough. Set it up, then create the media folders and then share them [right-click on the folder and click on the sharing tab].

If you give network users read and write access you can add files and folders to any of the shared folders. When you open a shared folder it acts just like any other window on your computer - so adding/deleting files is exactly the same.

You would only need to remote into the server to do administrative tasks - such as updates/virus scans/etc.
 
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