I'm in over my head on an IT job. I NEED HELP FAST!!!

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danielkgolden

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Oct 20, 2014
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I have 13 years experience as a hardware tech. I have built, customized and rescued many computers. I can hack my way into about any O/S for the purposes of account recovery (you would be amazed how many people lock them selves out of their computers). I am decent with Linux and setting up wireless networks. Here's the problem. FILE SHARING AS WELL?!?

OK. Now I know that it can be done but I am not sure what to buy or how to set it up. This is what I have. A customer with 2 desktops side by side on a long desk want to be able to share files and programs between both. They do NOT have a server and don't want to get one so I turned them off to the idea of remote access. They do not currently have any kind of wireless set up but would like to do so. They would need a secure guest connection set up and one for them but would probably prefer to stay connected to the internet via RJ45. Both computers are identical HP's with at least a Duo Core and I believe 6 gigs of ram. Processor may be a Quad Core but I am unsure. Both are running windows 7 home premium.

Question is what do I need to set this up for them (Cheaper is better :-/ )?
How do I set it up.
Please explain as if you were explaining this to my 6 year old.
 
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Poprin

Poprin

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Dec 13, 2012
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I might be missing something here, but the cheapest and easiest option would be to make sure both machines are part of the same workgroup and create a share on the one machine and store all the files there. The other easy but slightly more costly option would be to buy a cheap NAS device and connect it to the network and share this out to both machines. The one complication is it depends what you mean by sharing programs...

To share programs you could potentially setup virtual machines on one or both of the computers but it does require some effort and the correct hardware to support this.
 
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Poprin

Poprin

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Dec 13, 2012
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Although... reading your post again you can not officially use RDP with Windows 7 Home Prem, you need pro. But you could use 3rd part software and I think there might be some registry 'optimisation' that may allow it.
 
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jeff-j

jeff-j

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Dec 13, 2013
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Well I would still go with Poprin about setting up a file share on the one computer, then mapping it to the other. I do this for my clients that don't have a server and between 1-6 computers. For the remote access they could go about it 3 ways, one is use team viewer, another is logmein, the third is depending on the firewall they have you could just open up the RDP port.
 
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Math Geek

Math Geek

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Oct 15, 2014
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i had a home network set up with all kinds of devices both wired and wireless and used only the built in workgroup and file sharing. there was 4 pc's, 3 laptops, 3 x-box 360's and a number of ipad/iphones that could all access the files at home and remotely with little effort. this sounds like the best/easiest option.

however, if you will have to buy a new router for them to add wifi abilities may i recommend one with built in USB sharing. i had a d-link router that when an external drive was plugged in via USB it was automatically added to the network as a shared drive. there was almost no work involved since the router handled the configuration for me. i don't recall the model number as this was a few years ago and another house ago but something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA3FA2152812 looks to be along the same lines.

some research into this would help you out if a new router is in the plan anyway.
 
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kaleem104

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Oct 12, 2014
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The easiest and cheapest solutions for remote access:
You have third party sites such as "www.logmein.com" that install their software on the desktop and allow you to access the computer remotely (encrypted connection) regardless of windows operating system level restrictions (in other words, it will work on home edition). If you want to look into this option they have a free trial you can play around with. If you want to use their system on a long term basis they charge a monthly premium. Not sure of the exact numbers but definitely less than $10 a month.

As far as file sharing, one option is to set up file sharing on one of the computers and map that shared directory as a drive on the other computer. HOWEVER this requires that computer to be online and on the network if not the file sharing will be offline and not work. Your third party alternatives in this case are:
#1 Google drive
#2 Dropbox
benefit of the this party ones in this case are they can access the the files from their phones.
 
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danielkgolden

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Oct 20, 2014
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I specialize in hardware diagnostics and repairs. Never had to set up something like this for business purposes. How is your post helping? Son, I can do things that you haven't even dreamed up yet. Please only post solutions to peoples problems. If you don't want to offer a solution please just keep out of it. That is good advise for your future. Please don't take offense to that. "People want to know how much you care, before they care how much you know."
 
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