1 Overview

1.1 This subsection shows you how to share information across a network. The topics describe how to set up shared folders and drives (for example a CD-ROM drive) and how to access them from other PCs and laptops over the network.

The subsection also describes how to prevent sharing of folders and drives, which is particularly important if the information in the folder is 'sensitive' or you do not wish someone else to use your drive.

 

2 Making folders and drives shared

2.1 To specify a shared folder or drive on a PC or laptop:

In the Windows 95 or Windows 98 desktop on that PC or laptop, either:

  • Double-click the My Computer icon and locate the folder or drive you wish to share.

 

  • Or use Windows Explorer to locate the folder or drive.

To start Windows Explorer, go to the Start menu and select Programs and then Windows Explorer. For information on how to use Windows Explorer, refer to the Windows manual and Help system.

 

2.2 When you have located the folder or drive you wish to share, right-click on it (using the right mouse button) and select Sharing.

The Properties dialog box appears with the Sharing tab displayed.

 

Note: If the Sharing option is not shown, you are either trying to share a file (only folders and drives can be shared), or you need to configure your PC or laptop for sharing. To configure your PC for sharing see Making a PC ready for network use. To configure your laptop see Making a laptop ready for network use for laptops.

2.3 In the Sharing tab, select Shared As.

 

2.4 Select the access type for the folder or drive. This sets the type of access for PCs and laptops that are chosen to access the folder or drive. Access options are:

  • Full, if the users of the network are to have 'read' and 'write' access to the folder or drive. To restrict access, you can enter a password in the Password field below it.
  • Read-Only, if the users of the network are to have 'read' access to the folder but cannot alter anything in the folder. You can restrict 'read' access by entering a password.
  • Depends on Password, if access to the folder or drive is to be a combination of 'read-only' or 'full', depending on the password. You must specify a 'full' password and a different 'read-only' password for users of other PCs and laptops to determine their method of access.

 

2.5 Click OK to make the folder or drive accessible.

Note: A shared folder will provide access to all its contents and subfolders.

 

2.6 Some examples of access settings:

  • If you want users to have 'read' and 'write' access to the folder or drive, specify Full access and leave the password field blank.
  • If you want selected users only to have 'read' access to the folder or drive, specify Read-Only access and type in a password. This password is then used when setting up PC and laptop access for the selected users.

3 Accessing a shared folder or drive

3.1 To access a shared folder or drive on the network from another PC or laptop, perform the following steps:

On the PC or laptop that is to access the folder or drive, double-click My Network Place .

3.2 In the Network Neighborhood window, from the View menu select Refresh.

3.3Locate the folder or drive by double-clicking the icon for the PC or laptop that has the shared folder or drive on it.

3.4Double-click on the folder or drive and enter a password, if required. This is the password that was set up on the PC or laptop when specifying the folder or drive for shared use.

This PC or laptop can now access the folder or drive.

3.5 If the user is going to access the folder or drive frequently, it is a good idea to map it to a network drive on the user's PC or laptop. To do this:

In the Network Neighborhood window, right-click on the folder or drive and select Map Network Drive. Only map the network drive to the main shared folder or drive, and not one of its subfolders.

 

4 Making folders and drives unshared

4.1 To make a shared folder or drive unshared, perform the following steps:

In the Windows 95 or Windows 98 desktop on the PC or laptop that contains the folder or drive, either:

  • Double-click the My Computer icon and locate the folder or drive.
  • Or use Windows Explorer to locate the folder or drive.

To start Windows Explorer, go to the Start menu and select Programs and then Windows Explorer. For information on how to use Windows Explorer, refer to the Windows manual and help system.

 

4.2 When you have located the folder or drive, right-click on it and select Sharing.

The Properties dialog box appears with the Sharing tab displayed.
 

4.3In the Sharing tab, select Not Shared. Click OK.

 

4.4The folder or drive is now no longer accessible to other PCs and laptops.


 

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