these are the steps as listed on ehow Share Your Printer in Windows Step1 Install the printer. Set up the printer as normal on a machine that is already connected to the wireless network. Connect all necessary cables and install all necessary drivers. Step2 Open the printers and faxes folder. Click "Start," then "Control Panel," then "Printers and Other Hardware" and then "Printers and Faxes." Step3 Share your printer. Find the icon for the printer you just installed. Click the icon once and then select SHARE THIS PRINTER in the tasks pane on the left. Now, right click the icon, select properties and go to the SHARING tab. Click "Share Name," and then click "Okay." Step4 Connect to the printer. On the other computers within the network, open the control panel and click "Printers and Other Hardware." Select "Add a Printer." Step5 Select "Printer Connection." When prompted, select this option instead of the local printer. Find and select the printer you just installed and select it. Step6 Print as normal. Next time you print a page, send it to your networked printer. (you may need to reboot both computers after setup) This is also a good tutorial Beginners Guides: Printer Sharing on a Home Network you should also check to see if you have all the computers set up with the same workgroup name. "Workgroup name: This is the name of your network if you like. By default Windows XP will call your workgroup MSHOME, but you can change this as long as all the PCs on your network have the same workgroup name. (To see the computers in your network, click My Computer and choose Network Places from the bar on the left side. From there click View Workgroup Computers.)" (Control Panel > Performance & Maintenance > See basic information about your computer. From there click on Computer Name. Your workgroup is displayed.)

The least expensive way to do with is to simply connect both computers to the same home network, share the folder(s) that contain the files she wants to keep, and simply copy the files from the old machine to the new. Certainly you could use a flash drive as well. You don't need a >10 GB drive to copy the data unless it's one big file. Just copy the first 100 files, then the second 100, etc. A 4 GB drive should be under $10 and 8 GB under $15. For occasional use, it really doesn't matter what drive you buy.

Lynn, I now see more clearly what you're trying to do. It's much like setting up a network at home. When you're sharing internet with 2 or 3 computers, you'd be setting up a router (such as a Linksys) with wireless capability. First you'd need to setup the router with an encryption. The manual for Linksys has good instruction on how to set it up. This will only allows computers that share the same encryption number to be within the network and will keep the others away. The nearby computers will see the Linksys ID but will not be able to get into the network without the encryption number. Since you're the owner, you have the choice of who to give that encryption number to once you had it set up. This number can be changed at anytime you feel a threaten nearby. I normally use the Linksys auto encryption number because it uses a lengthy combination of letters (case sensitive) and numbers which makes it difficult to hack into. What Jane explained only works if you're not setting up a network. When you set up a network, regardless of whether you're using wireless or a cable, all 3 computers can still be seen if allowed to. Each individual computer within the same network can be set up so not to allow other computers to see it. The only thing they could see is a list of computer's name within the network. Windows have a network security feature in the Control Panel that allows you to set up what you want to share and what not. For example, all 3 of you may want to share the same printer and nothing else. As far as hacking, by setting up an uncrypted router (hardware firewall), you should be pretty safe. Plus, each individual computer should also have a firewall software installed. This is the 2nd protection. A professional hackar (or whatever you call him/her) would probably not interest in your type of business to go through the trouble of hacking into your network. Think of it as your home have an alarm system but your neighbor doesn't. Guess, which home the burglar would rather break into? As for within the network, if all 3 of you trust each others enough to share the cost of internet service, I don't see a reason for worrying with one of you hacking the other one's computer. Do you? If you do however, then, it's best not to share the internet service. You may want to set up a rule to let each others know right away when one of the computer is stolen. If that ever happens, change the encryption code right away to prevent the stolen computer entering into your network. Keep in mind that the your friend's computer won't be able neither until you provide them with the new code. Someone already mentioned, it's best to always set up a password and 'lock up' (not log off) the system whenever you're walking away from it for a few minutes. I know you probably already know some of these things. I just add the info in for other readers that may need it.

I dunno, fwiw Everytime I've used the network setup wizzard it didnt work. Leaves something simple not set. Networking - Really pretty simple stuff. Occasionally some say a firewall will block it, but most user friendly firewalls should pop a allow this or not message. here's what i do; Right click myComputer, select Properties. click the Computer Name tab, click the Change button. Each computer needs its own unique and seperate Computer name. Both computers should have the same WorkGroup name. Use something other than MSHome & no default names , as that can be a security snafu. My personal favorite group names are AnyName and NoName. Even makes me wonder sometimes ;) Open up your connection Properties, You'll want at least these installed with a check mark next to them... Client for Microsoft Networks File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks Internet Protocol (Tcp/Ip) if you see Microsoft TCP/IP version 6, might as well put a check mark in its box too. Highlight the Internet Protocol (Tcp/Ip) and press the Properties button. You probably want both the Obtain address and DHCP set to Automatic. --- Press the advanced button, click the DNS tab. Untick the "Append parent" Go to your desktop make a temperary folder, name it something like LapShare & other computer DeskShare. Open them and enable sharing. Might want to make a short note and put a text file in each of them so you can look at something reconisable when you access it the first time. Thats about it unless you have some Services turned off/disabled that you might need. But think the network wizard should have enabled what you need. Firewalls, most of them need to be told to allow ping which depending on the firewall could be program name or port or protocol.