Hi Paul,
1. Access your Network Connection Properties dialog box (probably through the Start menu)
2. Double-click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
3. Under 'General' tab, enable 'Use the following IP address'. (This will de-select DHCP which is 'Obtain an IP address automatically')
4. Enter a static address such as 192.168.100.50
5. Left-click anywhere in the empty box for 'Subnet Mask' and XP will auto enter the subnet mask for you. Likely to be 255.255.255.0
6. That's it. Leave everything else at XP's default settings.
7. OK your way out.
Do the same for the other PCs in the network, but give each a static IP address that differs only in the 4th (last) identifier. Example -
PC1 is 192.168.100.50
PC2 is 192.168.100.51
...etc
Please refer to -
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/workingwithipaddresses/qt/staticipaddres...
for a list of usable static addresses and what not to use as static addresses.
Other requirements -
Subnet mask must be the same for all PCs in the network
Also, Workgroup must be the same for all PCs in the network
Lastly enable 'Sharing and Security' for the hard-disks/folders you wish to share or allow access on the network.
Thereafter clicking on 'Network Places' will bring up the list of disks/folders you have allowed access to in network as long as the respective PC is powered on and plugged into the hub. Sometimes this access via Network Places takes a little while, or may need a reboot if network changes have been made
Hope that works for you (It should).
Thomas
