Naming Your Computer and Workgroup

You'll need to name your computer so you can identify it (typically when you open Network Neighborhood, or if you're using Windows 2000/Me/XP, My Network Places).

1. Right-click Network Neighborhood on the desktop.

2. Choose Properties.

3. Click the Identification tab (Figure 7.8)

   Figure 7.8. Click the Identification tab to bring it forward.

   

4. Enter a name for your computer (Figure 7.9). Choose something you'll remember.

   Figure 7.9. Name your computer.

   

5. Enter a workgroup name (Figure 7.10). All the computers on your network should use the same workgroup name.

   Figure 7.10. Give all your computers the same workgroup name. Mshome is the default name for Windows XP computers, so I use that for my Windows 98 SE computers too.

   

6. Enter a computer description.

7. Click OK.

After identifying your computers, our thoughts turn toward file and printer sharing. Windows might already be offering this service on your computer, but we need to check.