Simple clear advice in plain English

PC help: Notebook connection

How to connect notebook computers to make a network

Is it possible to connect the three notebook computers in our house so they can communicate with each other and share each others’ files without using the internet? All the computers have Bluetooth built in and wireless networking capabilities.

Karl Goddard

As your computers are already equipped with wireless networking capabilities, you are halfway there. You also need a wireless router. If you have an ADSL broadband connection, you could buy a combined ADSL modem and wireless router. In this case you will need to set it up for your broadband connection, using the access details your ISP will be able to provide.

If you are using cable broadband or if you don’t have a broadband connection, you should buy a standalone wireless router without a modem. Set up the router to createa wireless network, then connect the notebooks to that network. Once this is done, you can easily share files on each computer by dropping them into the Shared Documents folder on that PC (under My Computer).

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