I have 6 new PCs at work, networked together using one of the desktops as a "server" although it will still be used as a main PC as well. This machine has MS Office on it and the others all have MS Works on. Can the Office programs be run on the other machines as well?

Seymour, thanks for the email ;-)

Richgit69,
Why not just put a new hard drive in ???????

Seadog, its a lot easier for me to buy a new base unit than installing a harddrive ;-)

Understand the logic but not the economics !!!! SD

Seymour,

Very fast! Just have to sit here with my earplugs in.

In asnwer to your question about running office from one machine across a network, no. You need to install a 'fresh' copy on each one.

I thought as much - would have been too good to be true. Thanks anyway.

Hi
Not a problem but a query.

I'm going to visit family next week and wanted to keep on trading whilst there. I was wondering how do I connect if I take a laptop with me. They have broadband but how do I change my machine to be able to go online and then change it back again when I come back.

TIA

Kat

Kat, you need to find out if they have an ADSL modem or router connected via an Ethernet port or one connected via USB.

If via Ethernet, assuming you have an Ethernet port yourself, you would simply connect up, set Never Dial a Connection in Tools/Options/Connections in IE, and you're off.

If via USB, you will need to install their ADSL modem software on your machine and connect up. You should find a new connection in Tools/Options/Connections, select it and of course you will need their ADSL username and password.

Or take your modem with you, but you would still need their log on information, although when I moved house I found that my old log in details worked on the new house before I had transfered the account, so it may work.

Yes you can also take your modem with you. Your login details should work if the ISP is the same (e.g. BT Openworld). However physical lines are tied to a particular ISP, so if the ISP is different the login details won't work.

Point me in the right direction Please.

I have two desktops and a laptop all using xp pro and networked.(either wireless or cable). I have lots of files (word,jpeg,ect) the same saved on each machine not always in the same place.

I would like to be able to alter a file on one machine but when I save the alteration I need the changes to be saved to the same file on the other two machines. I don't want to go down the road of a server as I need each machine to be able to operate indepently but also be upto date in case the network is not available.
Is this facility available in xp or can anyone suggest a program that would solve this.
It would still be ok if it involves having to run a task or something when I need to update all the other copies.(either at the time or once a week type would be fine).
Also is there a quick or easy way / program to find ALL the duplicate copies of a file on the network.
Thanks. Graeme.

ps. If there is a solution any recommended reading or hand book would be really useful because I go blank and find these things (computers) strees full.

GRAEME.ALEXANDER,

Microsoft briefcase used to do something similar for mobile users, however in your case you would probably be better off with a network storage device.

Using something like this, you could map a network drive on each of your machines to the same place, and then any changes you make will be visable to all other users.

An advantage of that NAS (we use them at here) is that you can plug another USB2 disk into the back and schedule it to automatically backup the contents of the unit onto the other drive....

Hi Graeme,

There is an option in XP Pro. Do you have this? Easiest way is to go into Explorer (File Manager) and select tools and see if you have a Synchronise option.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/syncmgr_synchronize_files.mspx

You can schedule this:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/synchmgr_schedule.mspx

Here is the brief case function mentioned by Tullettj:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/bfc_floppy.mspx

Or you could go down the software route:

This is free: http://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/freeware-hub.html

These are not:

http://www.peersoftware.com/solutions/peersync/licensing.asp

http://www.softwarepursuits.com/suresync/sales_w.htm


(there you go, loads to read!)

Thanks to both of you........I am now on a mission !! (my past solution of buying a new computer didn't solve the problem and was working out expensive.....I have something to do / read this week end.)
Graeme.

OK, just tried to install Windows XP Home Edition 2 on my second main Hard Drive 120GB, it formated the Hard Drive to NTFS file system, now it says the drive is not there, and will not install XP anyfurther, How do I fix this?

Hi I have a 3 year old lexmark X83 all in one printer/scanner/photocopier which is giving up the ghost, it prints in black and white missing every forth or fifth line and leaves 'white' lines across printed material. It works OK in colour and I have tried the jet cleaning programmes and replacement ink cartridges, but no change.
Has anyone got any ideas for a replacement all in one printer? I am a light home user and would also like to be able to print photo quality.

Richgit69

Did you boot the computer from the setup CD? Is the second HDD set as the boot device in the BIOS?

optimist, yes the computer booted up from the cd, and hdd is set as boot device, in bios ;-)

now the xp setup cant find ASAM file on cd tried to browse cd, but it just cancels setup when I do that ;-((

Richgit

I once had simillar problems and it was caused by dodgy memory. Do a Google for "memoty test" which should throw up several utilities including one by Microsoft. In my case, once I identified the faulty RAM stick I removed it and all was OK but it could also be motherboard related. Also worth checking that the CPU fan is working.

When you try again, make sure that you delete all the partitions on the disk and then recreate them before reformatting. Go for full format not the quick one.