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Can you connect computers to a network with the server settings?

Spike Baron
Network Engineer & Desktop Support
Spike Baron is a Network Engineer & Desktop Support Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the owner of Spike’s Computer Repair. With over 25 years of working experience in the tech industry, Spike specializes in PC and Mac computer repair, used computer sales, virus removal, data recovery, and hardware and software upgrades. He has worked as an IT Systems expert for numerous companies, including Huntington Health, Blackbox, Honda, and Manufacturers Bank. In his spare time, Spike also builds and restores computers. He has his CompTIA A+ certification for computer service technicians and is a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert.

Spike Baron

Network Engineer & Desktop Support

Expert Answer

Yes, in the server settings menu, you type SMB colon, forward slash, forward slash, followed by the name of the computer you're looking to connect. That should connect the PC.

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Question

Why can't I connect my Mac to a network?

Spike Baron
Network Engineer & Desktop Support
Spike Baron is a Network Engineer & Desktop Support Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the owner of Spike’s Computer Repair. With over 25 years of working experience in the tech industry, Spike specializes in PC and Mac computer repair, used computer sales, virus removal, data recovery, and hardware and software upgrades. He has worked as an IT Systems expert for numerous companies, including Huntington Health, Blackbox, Honda, and Manufacturers Bank. In his spare time, Spike also builds and restores computers. He has his CompTIA A+ certification for computer service technicians and is a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert.

Spike Baron

Network Engineer & Desktop Support

Expert Answer

You may not have computer discovery or file sharing turned on. You need the computer to be "unlocked" for it to connect to a network.

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Question

How do I set up a computer with proper subnet masks for a local network?

Community Answer

Without knowing what IP addresses you are using I can only give you an estimate. I can show the default values based on the private IP addresses I assume you're using. If you see anything between 10.0.0.0 and 10.255.255.254, the default subnet mask is 255.0.0.0. If you see 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.254, the default subnet mask is 255.255.0.0. If you see 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.254, the default subnet mask is 255.255.255.0, which is the most common range on home equipment and small networks up to 254 computers, so I would guess this is the one you need.

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Question

How do I configure my computer to the network?

Community Answer

Typically, all Windows computers are set to automatically search for a device that will give them an IP address as soon as they are connected to the network with an Ethernet cable. Wireless configuration requires the name of the Wireless Access Point and the security pass phrase. Your wireless capable Windows device will have an icon on the lower right side of the task bar. Click to select a wireless network to connect to.

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Question

How can I connect two computers with a wired connection?

Community Answer

By using cross-cabling, youcan connect two computers.

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