Networking My Lap Top & PC ?

I predominantly use my pc for work,but want to see if it possible to network or link with my laptop to access files and email on outloook. I can sometimes get better internet speeds on my laptop in different parts of the house and would like the flexibility to accesss files quickly. There is a network wizard on my lap top (Dell) but have no idea if relatively straightforward to do or not. I am your average pc user who is not overly techie !!

Thanks

Not really clear from your post what exactly you are asking!

Please state exactly what you get your internet from, name of equipment, provider etc. Do you have wireless on the laptop or home pc. You also need to read up on the implictions of using outlook on two Pcs.

I am currently using a dial up connection with Eircom ( hope to have wireless broadband in my area very shortly). My laptop is wireless enabled but pc is not - about 9 years old and needs a new port to receive broadband which provider is not recommending for pc.

Will read up on outlook aspect

I suppose what I am really talking about is best way to share files between pc and lap top with physically transferring files.

Thanks

Not a techie, but it sounds like you need a wireless router - this can act as both an access point to the net (for your lap top wirelessly), as well as a peer-to-peer (i.e. PC to PC) interface. Maybe some of the more computer literate can explain more throughly.

I bought a sitecom router from Maplin a while back - this seems to do the trick, in that you have a dongle for a PC that can be used to communicate with other devices (i.e. laptops).

LeitrimLady said:

I am currently using a dial up connection with Eircom ( hope to have wireless broadband in my area very shortly). My laptop is wireless enabled but pc is not - about 9 years old and needs a new port to receive broadband which provider is not recommending for pc.

if you get setup with wireless bband (eircom / btireland etc) you could pick up a wireless network card (usb or internal) reasonably cheaply for your older PC (note the cheaper wireless cards come with the caveat that your PC should really have at least microsoft XP installed and may need to be located fairly close to your wireless router)

Will read up on outlook aspect

I suppose what I am really talking about is best way to share files between pc and lap top with physically transferring files.

best thing in the meantime to share files between laptop & PC is to get a USB memory stick (can be picked up very cheaply on ebay or the high street - NOTE - this is assuming your PC has a USB port, if it's nine years old it mightn't!)

Thanks

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hope the above helps, born2bl8

LeitrimLady said:

I can sometimes get better internet speeds on my laptop in different parts of the house

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LeitrimLady said:

I am currently using a dial up connection with Eircom

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With dial up it shouldn't matter where in the house you are, you still need to be connected to the phone line. Perhaps your wiring to the phone sockets is a bit dodgy.

Best to use the USB key suggestion until you replace that 9 year old pc as any attempts at networking (hardwired or wireless) will just be a headache until you have a more up to date pc.

With a newer PC with wireless card you can look at the option of having something like this http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/products/consumer_electronics/DAVE/ which will save your personal files in a wireless box which you can even put in your pocket and bring to work.

Thanks for replies. It looks like I need to wait for upgrade to pc which is going strong on Win 2000 despite the years. I have been using memory sticks so will continue. Thanks again.