Setting Up a Wireless Peer-to-Peer Network

We have about five PCs in the office and one printer. We don't have an Internet connection, but I would like all of the PCs to share data and have access to the printer. The place is very modern looking with lots of steel and glass. I hate the thought of cluttering it up with a bunch of network cables. Plus, it's going to cost about $130 for each network line we have to run. So I was wondering if it would be possible for me to accomplish this using a wireless connection instead. I don't think this is possible because all of the equipment I've looked at seems to indicate that an Internet connection is required for it to work. Any insight or guidance you can offer on this subject would be appreciated.
. It can be a bit overwhelming reading through all of those specs that accompany networking products, but rest assured that it is absolutely possible for you to use wireless network adapters without an Internet connection. Wireless network adapters operate just like standard Ethernet adapters do and thus have no dependency on an Internet connection. As with standard LAN adapters, wireless network cards can function in a peer-to-peer mode and are relatively simple to configure, with only a few exceptions.
The first step in setting this up would be to establish a common workgroup environment for the five PCs you mention. This begins by having all the PCs use the same workgroup name (for example, "WORKGROUP" or "OFFICE"). Next you'll need to configure the IP network information for each PC. In a peer-to-peer environment like this (one without an access point or wireless router), you'll need to configure each PC with a static IP address and a common subnet mask. So, for example, every PC would be given a subnet address of 255.255.255.0 and an IP address of 192.168.0.x.
I would suggest using 192.168.0.10 for the first IP address and increase them in increments of 1. If you're wondering why we didn't start with 192.168.0.1, it's because that address is usually reserved as the router/gateway address. By leaving it available, if you ever decide to add a broadband Internet connection to your network, you won't have to re-address every PC. By leaving the low numbers free, it not only gives you room to grow, but also allows you to maintain some structure with your IP assignments. Servers use addresses below 10, workstations and printers everything above.
With the IP information in place, we can move on to configuring your wireless network parameters. By default, most wireless network adapters ship in what they call "Infrastructure Mode." This is the mode used when an access point or wireless router is present in your network. For wireless networks running in peer-to-peer mode, this setting needs to be changed to "Ad-Hoc Mode." This allows the cards to talk to each other and not search for an access point or router. If you're interested, more information on Ad-Hoc networks can be found here.
Once that has been completed, verify that the wireless cards are configured to use the same settings. All of the wireless adapters should be using a common service set identifier or SSID (just like the workgroup name) and they should be transmitting data on the same channel. Wireless adapters from different vendors sometimes default to different channels, so verify your settings.
Additionally during this stage, all levels of WEP encryption should be disabled. While I understand that you want your data to be secure, WEP can be extremely problematic to configure, particularly from cards made by different vendors. Once you have connectivity between your systems then you can worry about getting WEP enabled. When you do finally enable it, take your time and ensure that WEP settings on both cards are set to the same encryption level (64 bit, 128 bit and so on) and are using identical encryption keys.
As far as your printer goes, all you have to do is physically connect it to your desktop PC and then share it. In your question, you didn't indicate which version of Windows you're using, so I'm going to outline the steps for enabling it under Windows XP. This procedure is pretty similar in all versions of Windows with a couple of minor differences. If you are using a different version of Windows, don't sweat it.
The procedure for sharing a drive, folder or printer is pretty much the same. To share a folder simply open Windows Explorer and locate the folder you want to share. Right-click it and select Sharing and Security. Go to the Sharing tab and select the option "Share this folder on the network." If you wanted to share a drive, you would check the box that reads: "you understand the risk but still want to share the root of the drive." After you click OK, a small hand will appear under the drive or folder you selected. This indicates that sharing has been enabled and that folder is accessible from the other PCs.
Sharing a printer is almost identical to a folder. Just right-click on the printer you want to share and select Properties. Go to the Sharing tab and select "Share this Printer." Give the printer a shared name and press OK. The hand will appear, and you can now share the printer. If you follow these general guidelines, you should find yourself up and running in no time. Good Luck!

4 steps to set up your home wireless network

By Tony Northrup
You can use a wireless network to share Internet access, files, printers, and more. Or you can use it to surf the Web while you're sitting on your couch or in your yard. Plus, it's easier to install than you think.
There are 4 steps to creating a wireless network:
1.Choose your wireless equipment
2.Connect your wireless router
3.Configure your wireless router
4.Connect your computers
For Windows XP users, Windows XP Service Pack 2 is not required for wireless networking, but it does make things much easier. Service Pack 2 also helps protect you against hackers, worms, and other Internet intruders.
1.
Choose your wireless equipment
The first step is to make sure that you have the equipment you need. As you're looking for products in stores or on the Internet, you might notice that you can choose equipment that supports three different wireless networking technologies: 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. We recommend 802.11g, because it offers excellent performance and is compatible with almost everything.
Shopping list
Broadband Internet connection
Wireless router
A computer with built-in wireless networking support or a wireless network adapter
A wireless router
The router converts the signals coming across your Internet connection into a wireless broadcast, sort of like a cordless phone base station. Be sure to get a wireless router, and not a wireless access point.
A wireless network adapter
Network adapters wirelessly connect your computer to your wireless router. If you have a newer computer you may already have wireless capabilities built in. If this is the case, then you will not need a wireless network adapter. If you need to purchase an adapter for a desktop computer, buy a USB wireless network adapter. If you have a laptop, buy a PC card-based network adapter. Make sure that you have one adapter for every computer on your network.
Note: To make setup easy, choose a network adapter made by the same vendor that made your wireless router. For example, if you find a good price on a Linksys router, choose a Linksys network adapter to go with it. To make shopping even easier, buy a bundle, such as those available from D-Link, Netgear, Linksys, Microsoft, and Buffalo. If you have a desktop computer, make sure that you have an available USB port to plug the wireless network adapter into. If you don't have any open USB ports, buy a hub to add additional ports.
2.

Connect your wireless router
Since you'll be temporarily disconnected from the Internet, print these instructions before you go any further.
First, locate your cable modem or DSL modem and unplug it to turn it off.
Next, connect your wireless router to your modem. Your modem should stay connected directly to the Internet. Later, after you've hooked everything up, your computer will wirelessly connect to your router, and the router will send communications through your modem to the Internet.
Next, connect your router to your modem:
Note: The instructions below apply to a Linksys wireless router. The ports on your router may be labeled differently, and the images may look different on your router. Check the documentation that came with your equipment for additional assistance.
•If you currently have your computer connected directly to your modem: Unplug the network cable from the back of your computer, and plug it into the port labeled Internet, WAN, or WLAN on the back of your router.
•If you do not currently have a computer connected to the Internet: Plug one end of a network cable (included with your router) into your modem, and plug the other end of the network cable into the Internet, WAN, or WLAN port on your wireless router.
•If you currently have your computer connected to a router: Unplug the network cable connected to the Internet, WAN, or WLAN port from your current router, and plug this end of the cable into the Internet, WAN, or WLAN port on your wireless router. Then, unplug any other network cables, and plug them into the available ports on your wireless router. You no longer need your original router, because your new wireless router replaces it.
Next, plug in and turn on your cable or DSL modem. Wait a few minutes to give it time to connect to the Internet, and then plug in and turn on your wireless router. After a minute, the Internet, WAN, or WLAN light on your wireless router should light up, indicating that it has successfully connected to your modem.
3.Configure your wireless router
Using the network cable that came with your wireless router, you should temporarily connect your computer to one of the open network ports on your wireless router (any port that isn't labeled Internet, WAN, or WLAN). If you need to, turn your computer on. It should automatically connect to your router.
Next, open Internet Explorer and type in the address to configure your router.
You might be prompted for a password. The address and password you use will vary depending on what type of router you have, so refer to the instructions included with your router.
As a quick reference, this table shows the default addresses, usernames, and passwords for some common router manufacturers.

Router Address Username Password
3Com http://192.168.1.1/ admin admin
D-Link http://192.168.0.1/ admin

Linksys http://192.168.1.1/ admin admin
Microsoft http://192.168.2.1/ admin admin
Netgear http://192.168.0.1/ admin password
Internet Explorer will show your router's configuration page. Most of the default settings should be fine, but you should configure three things:
1.
Your wireless network name, known as the SSID. This name identifies your network. You should choose something unique that none of your neighbors will be using.
2.
Wireless encryption (WEP) or Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), which help protect your wireless network. For most routers, you will provide a passphrase that your router uses to generate several keys. Make sure your passphrase is unique and long (you don't need to memorize it).
3.
Your administrative password, which controls your wireless network. Just like any other password, it should not be a word that you can find in the dictionary, and it should be a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Be sure you can remember this password, because you'll need it if you ever have to change your router's settings.
The exact steps you follow to configure these settings will vary depending on the type of router you have. After each configuration setting, be sure to click Save Settings, Apply, or OK to save your changes.
Now, you should disconnect the network cable from your computer.
4.
Connect your computers
If your computer does not have wireless network support built in, plug your network adapter into your USB port, and place the antenna on top of your computer (in the case of a desktop computer), or insert the network adapter into an empty PC card slot (in the case of a laptop). Windows XP will automatically detect the new adapter, and may prompt you to insert the CD that came with your adapter. The on-screen instructions will guide you through the configuration process.
Note: The steps below only apply if you're using Windows XP Service Pack 2. If you're running Windows XP and you don't have Service Pack 2 yet, plug your computer into your wireless router and download and install Windows XP Service Pack 2.
Windows XP should show an icon with a notification that says it has found a wireless network.
Follow these steps to connect your computer to your wireless network:
1.
Right-click the wireless network icon in the lower-right corner of your screen, and then click View Available Wireless Networks. If you run into any problems, consult the documentation that came with your network adapter. Don't be afraid to call their tech support.
2.
The Wireless Network Connection window should appear and you should see your wireless network listed with the network name you chose. If you don't see your network, click Refresh network list in the upper-left corner. Click your network, and then click Connect in the lower-right corner.

3.
Windows XP prompts you to enter a key. Type the encryption key that you wrote down earlier in both the Network key and Confirm network key boxes, and then click Connect.
4.
Windows XP will show its progress as it connects to your network. After you're connected, you can now close the Wireless Network Connection window. You're done.
Note: If the Wireless Network Connection window continues to show Acquiring Network Address, you may have mistyped the encryption key.

Some Windows XP tips

Reach Run quickly
Here’s a quicker way to reach the Run dialog box, if you don’t want to go through the Start menu. Just hit the Windows key + R.

Looking for a better screen font display?
Enable ClearType, Microsoft’s trademark font display technology, for a drastic improvement in screen font rendering. Right-click anywhere on your desktop. Now select Properties. Under the Appearance tab, click Effects. Check the box for Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts, and in the drop-down menu, select ClearType. Press OK, and apply the change.

Change your mouse pointer scheme
Bored of the same old arrow? To change your mouse pointer scheme, in the Control Panel, select Mouse and go to the Pointers tab. Scroll through the available schemes, pick one that you like and click Apply.

Check that your Windows Firewall is turned on
To make sure your Windows Firewall hasn’t been accidentally disabled, go to your Control Panel and click Windows Firewall. Make sure the radio button for On (recommended) is selected. Add exceptions to your Firewall by going to the Exceptions tab and adding the programs that you think should have access to the Internet to the list of exceptions.

Instantly activate your screensaver
In XP, you can put a short cut of your favourite screensaver on your desktop to instantly start your screen saver. Here’s how. Go to Start on your desktop and click on Search. In the help box, click on All files and folders. and then type in *.scr. Select your screen saver file and right click. Then select Send To, and then Desktop.

Put your Monitor to sleep
Right click on the desktop and click on Properties. In the dialog box that appears, click on the Screen Saver tab. Click on Power and in the dialog box that appears click on the Turn off Monitor list. Select a time to automatically after which the monitor will be turned off. Click OK twice and you’re set.

Using your Windows Key
Your Windows key can be used to for many short cuts. If you want to open your Windows Explorer quickly just press your Windows key and E. If you want to open the Run dialog box, just press the Windows key and R. If you want to open your search dialog box, press your Windows key and F.

Instantly lock your PC
If you have password protected your Windows, here is a quick way to lock it. Press the Windows key and L together.

Change the look of folder icons
If you don’t like the look of the folder icons on your desktop, you can change them. Right click on the folder, select Properties. Click on the Customize tab, and under the Folder icons area, click on the Change Icons button. Select the icon of your choice and select OK.

Minimize a Window to your taskbar
If you’re tired of using the mouse over and over again to minimize a window, here’s a handy tip. To minimize a window using just the keyboard, press Alt, Spacebar and N together.

Display album art in your music folder thumbnails
If your music files are in WMA format, XP automatically picks up the album art and displays it, both in the folder thumbnail as well as in the Windows Media Player display. If your files are in MP3 format, you can download the album art from the Internet and then customize each folder to display it. But this takes a lot of time. A faster way around is to save each image as ‘folder.jpg’ and put it in the correct folder. Once you do this, XP will pick up that image and use it as the thumbnail for the folder, and also use the image to display in Windows Media Player while playing songs from the album.

How to stop Windows Media Player from accessing your information
You may be uncomfortable with the idea of Windows Media Player collecting your information and sending it to various websites. You can stop this. Go to the Tools menu of Windows Media Player. Select Options and then go to the Player tab. Look for the check box that says "Allow Internet sites to uniquely identify your player?" and make sure it is not selected.

Opening folders with a single click
If you’d rather not have to double-click everything to open it, here’s the way out. Go to My Computer, and select Options in the Tools menu. Choose Folder options. In the dialog box that opens, select the check box that says ‘Single-click to open an item (point to select)’, and click OK.

Making web pages available offline
You may occasionally need to refer to a website, and you may not be able to connect to the Internet at the time. An easy way out of the situation is to go to the Favourites tab in Internet Explorer, and click Add to Favourites. In the dialog box that is displayed, select the Make available offline check box, and press OK.