Printers and Sharing Files at Home

To see files and printers on other home computers, you must join the same workgroup (MSHome, Default, Smith, etc.) as the other home computers and the files and printers must be shared on those home desktops.

Join the workgroup by right clicking My Computer - Computer Name - Change - Type in workgroup name.  No account or password is needed - just press OK. 

To enable sharing on the home computer -
    RightClick My Network Places - Properties - Right Click the adapter - Properties - Click Box for File and Print Sharing - OK
Do NOT enable file sharing and printing on your laptop's wireless network connection.  It is not needed and will only serve to add your laptop to the list of school servers. 

It is then necessary to rightclick the printer and/or folders - click sharing and give the the object a name.  Any computer in your workgroup should be able to access those object.

To transfer just a few files between computers, it may be easier to email yourself with the files attached and download them on the other computer.

You MUST rejoin the IHA Domain (workgroup) at school. It suffices to change the workgroup name to IHA and restart.

It is not necessary to join the home workgroup every time you wish to print.  Once your laptop installs the printer, it should always be available when you are home. Only rejoin the workgroup if you wish to access files on a home computer.