04-11-2009, 01:25 PM

I want to create a wireless network to be able share files from a PC to a Mac using the following:

1. PC running Windows XP
2. Mac notebook running OS X, with blue tooth
3. Airport router
4. Linksys Wireless-G PCI Adapter (in PC)

I don't have a Linksys router, only the Linksys Adapter for the PC, which I believe can only receive, not transmit data, but I may be wrong about that. To create this network, think I would need to connect the PC to the Airport, but have no idea where to start since this is my first attempt to set up a network. Please help. Thanks!

04-12-2009, 03:48 PM

your linksys can send and receive. all you need to do is setup shared folders on each machine that you want the other to see.

there are something you will have to do however to write info back and forth with your mac and pc.

1. pc can not read/write to the mac filesystem out of the box so if you want to be able to read/write to your mac directly from your pc you will need something like MacDrive.

2. your mac can read from your NTFS pc but can not write to NTFS out of the box so if you want to write to your pc from your mac you will need something like NTFS for Mac.

3. your other option is to have a hard drive in the middle of these that could be connected to either machine or directly to your airport that is formatted FAT32 since both our mac and pc can read/write to FAT32. however if you want to be able to transfer files like movies that are larger than 4GB you will have to go another route because FAT32 can not handle anything larger than 4GB.

hope that made sense

if it were me i would pick the machine i prefer (mac or pc) and get the above software that goes with that OS and just use that machine to read/write your files back and forth.

for example if you prefer your mac then get NTFS for mac and then always use that machine to move files around.

just so you know your mac can read and grab files from your NTFS pc it just cant write to it without the proper software but your pc can not read or write to your mac without the macdrive software.

good luck

04-14-2009, 11:19 PM

Thanks, fletch33. Could you do me one further and explain how I would "setup shared folders on each machine that you want the other to see?" I'm not trying to do anything too complicated here. I just want to be able to access wirelessly the mp3s that are on my pc from my mac laptop. Again, this is new to me. I'm not too computer savvy, but I can follow clear instructions. Thank you for the help!

04-14-2009, 11:30 PM

on my mobile at the moment. i will get u directions in the AM if no ody else jumps in to help.

04-15-2009, 04:46 PM

on the mac go to apple in top left corner>system preferences>sharing>check file sharing>should be a green light telling you its on> under shared folders click + sign> select folder you want to share (prob itunes music folder)> under users select who you want to be able to access it and if they can read or write or both etc..

i thought i would mention that if all you want to do is listen to your iTunes library on your mac on any other computer you can turn on "sharing" on your macs itunes and then any itunes on any computer on your network can see and play your whole library from your mac. this might be easier if you use itunes on your mac to keep your music and all you want to share is your music.

there are also ways of actually streaming your home iTunes library to any other iTunes anywhere but that a whole other project all together

hope that helps

04-16-2009, 05:07 AM

@fletch33, the read write NTFS, HFS story does NOT apply here. When a disk is shared via a network (AFP, NFS, Samba) it does not matter which file system is used on the shared folder.

OSX (HFS) <-> Network (Samba) <--> Windows (NTFS)

So the OSX does not need to know how to read/write on NTFS and the Windows does not need how to write on HFS. Both need to know Samba.

Tex

04-16-2009, 08:15 AM

that didnt even occur to me with the read/write over the network. i honestly have had those 2 programs for so long that i dont when they are working and when they are not lol

thanks

also Levi streaming the music info above still applies