Networking Dummy Needs Help

[Toolbox]

I have one desktop and three laptops connected to the wrieless internet I have setup at home. At this time, it is only considered a network because they are all sharing the internet connection but I would like to create a shared folder between all four computers.

How do I go about doing this? I have already created the folder I intend to share on my desktop. This is the main folder I intend to pull files from. Also, I would like to be able to get fies from this even if I'm across town so accessing the files via public IP would be great. How do I setup a username and password?

Thanks for the help everyone.

[Toolbox]

Oh, I forgot to add... all the computers are running Windows XP SP3 except for one laptop that came with VISTA.

[Midknyte]

So is the "server" an XP system? XP Pro or Home?

As far as remote access, you can try something like Hamachi.
http://www.filehippo.com/download_hamachi/

[Toolbox]

The desktop system is running Windows XP Professional SP3.

I'm sure there's a way of networking the computers without having to use third party software. Can anyone help with a link to a good online user guide?

[Midknyte]

You asked for 2 separate things; Local network and Remote access.

For LAN access, the easiest thing would be to enable simple file sharing.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040

For more networking info, http://www.ezlan.net/

If you want to access your files remotely, that's more complicated. Like I said, you can try Hamachi VPN. You can use Remote Desktop if you don't want to use third party software, but it's not the same.
http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jak...ction_rdc.html

[Toolbox]

Thank you for your help and sorry for the misunderstanding... I thought you could access another computer remotely quite simply.

Your help is much appreciated.

[glussier]

You could open an account at dyndns.com and use that to access your server while you are away from home.