Trying to set up a home network

[1984]

Hey all, have a dilemna. I am trying to set up a home network and am failing miserably. What I am trying to do is link my three computers together so i can share files, as well as use two separate printers from any of the computers. Heres what I have:

 

DSL internet, with a static IP set up.

 

A vista home premium desktop

 

A vista home premium laptop

 

A xp home edition desktop

 

my router is a linksys wrt350N

 

an Hp printer (vista compatible)

 

a brother printer (only xp compatible)

 

I want to keep the brother printer because it has a fax and the hp one doesnt, and i need this sometimes.

 

The whole house is wired with internet cable so its not a wireless network. I can add more wires if need be, i have tons of wire and my house is conducive to running wires.

 

I want to be able to share items off each computer, but particular be able to grab items off my vista desktop as its in the basement.

 

I can purchase items if need be, hopefully not too expensive, but i will spend a few bucks if i have to.

 

Also, i have 7 external drives hitched to my vista desktop which i would like to access from my other computers if i am able to. As well, my router has a usb port which i believe i could hitch an external drive to, but i could be wrong.

 

anyhoo, to make a long story longer, does anyone know of any really good, simple step by step guides on what to do to set this all up? I am super frustrated and have spent a lot of time so far, all for nothing.

 

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[YoKenny]

Practically Networked:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/howto

 

Networking PCs Made Easy:

http://pcworld.about.com/magazine/1812p268id32216.htm

 

Go to Control Panel then Network Setup Wizard.

[rridgely]

Yeah running the network wizard is the easiest way. I'm not up on how it works on vista but with xp you just have to make sure that all of the computers have the same work group name and that you choose to enable printer/file sharing on the computer that has the drives/printers hooked to it.(you will then have to right click and enable sharing on all the drives/folders that you want to be shared.)

 

Process above explained:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/n...up/homenet.mspx

 

How to share a printer:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/n...cutt_july2.mspx

 

Your going to have to figure vista out on your own though.