How do I set up a network between my Mac & PC's so they can share files

I'm looking to have a home network.. not the internet kind of network, I think it's called intranet (still learning about it) where I can have a Z: drive with a shared documents folder all my machines are able to access. I would also like to be able to access the files of any computer from any machine on the network. At some point I'm going to hook up an external drive, so that would like that to be the Z drive. I would want this external (Z) drive to be on the network so it's available from any machine as well.
This is the 1st Mac I've had.. while I have a decent working knowledge of PC's, I don't know anything really about the Mac world, so please feel free to explain everything to me as though I am a child.
Thanks!
PS..Don't know if this is relevant, but I have a cradlepoint wireless router.

The answer to what Networking solutions are available depends on what Hardware interfaces are built-in and Mac OS your computer can run, which depends on which Mac it is.
If you can help readers determine which Mac you have, they are dying to help you, but you are not being responsive enough.

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How do you set up the passkey between the Mac & Palm?

Hi all,
I need help with a couple of things relating to bluetooth and Mac;
a) when I try to HotSync the Palm TX and iBook(OS 10.3.9) using BT, I get an error message saying "can't initiate Hotsync because port is in use by another application'.
b) how do you set up the passkey between the Mac & Palm? I can't work out how to input anything on the Palm at the step where it asks for the passkey.
thanks
iBook 1.2GHz Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Palm has this to say about the issue:
'Unable to initiate HotSync operation because the port is in use by another application.'
This error can occur on the Palm™ Zire™ 72 handheld after setting up a Bluetooth® HotSync® connection. When you configure the Bluetooth application on the handheld for synchronization (or when you set up a Bluetooth connection in the Connections preference screen), the HotSync button in the Writing Area may try to launch a Bluetooth connection, regardless of the connection selected in the HotSync application on your handheld. The HotSync icon in the Writing Area will always try to connect using whatever method was last used. When you set up Bluetooth HotSync, it used Bluetooth, and now tapping the icon in the Writing Area will result in a Bluetooth connection.
The issue arises if you launch the HotSync application on your handheld, and select the "Cradle/Cable" option from the pulldown menu, and then tap on the HotSync icon in the Writing Area. Your handheld will still try to perform a Bluetooth HotSync operation, because that was the method last used. You will see an error message, and won't be able to synchronize.
Unable to initiate HotSync operation because the port is in use by another application.
Why does this happen?
Because your handheld was set up for Bluetooth, tapping the HotSync icon in the Writing Area should launch a Bluetooth HotSync. But if you select a different method in the HotSync application, your handheld will try to connect using that method as well. The HotSync application is unsure which method to use, and you will see the error message.
What should I do?
If you see this error, here's how to correct the issue:
1. Launch the HotSync application on your handheld.
2. In the pulldown menu at the center of the screen, choose the connection method by which you wish to synchronize.
3. Then, instead of tapping the HotSync icon in the Writing Area, tap the large onscreen HotSync icon in the middle of the HotSync application screen.
4. Do this every time you wish to synchronize using Cable/Cradle.
5. Whenever you want to synchronize using Bluetooth, exit the HotSync application and tap the HotSync icon in the Writing Area.
6. This will allow you to keep multiple connection methods for synchronization, and the flexibility of alternating between them.
For more information on such issues, perform a keyword search here, in the Palm Macintosh Support area:
http://www.palm.com/us/support/macintosh

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Thanks

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Hi John,
You wouldn’t believe how long it’s taken me to find a satisfactory solution to this particular facet of my networking issues. Then just recently I discover this forum and bingo! – in a quiet sort of way, you’ve given me what looks to be the answer. Well all I can say is award yourself the CDM, or whatever is your favourite sweet or tipple. I’m not so sure about the sharepoints yet, I seem to be swapping the files I need to ok, but I haven’t tested it to the full yet.
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Hello danamaple,
Welcome to the HP Support Forums!
Depending on the Operating System installed on the computer, setting up the Deskjet 2540 can be done different ways. The easiest and most popular method is to use a USB cable and the printer software to setup wireless on the printer.
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I work on behalf of HP
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Hi,
I searched the internet for some working instructions to set up a network between above mentioned computers. Until now non of the instructions I followed did work, so I like to have an instruction specialy written for above OS's, can someone provide me with a reliable instruction ?? Both computers are up to date, and believing some of the guys ( and girls) online it must be very easy to set up a network, until now I never succeeded in a PC to PC connection, so let's hope for the best in a PC to Mac connection.
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LowLuster,
I did what you wrote above, I see the Mac now on my Windows machine, BUT, when I click in Windows on iMac it asks for a Network password and username, which username is meant ? and which password ? I filled in the password which I use when I start the computer, for both computers the same, but I get an error message. or do I have to make a new uniq username and password somewhere?
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I'm trying to set up my network with my Mac Pro. I have two other roommates that need internet and a printer that we all need to access. The modem is with my Mac Pro in room 1, the printer is with another PC in room 2, and another PC with wifi is in room 3. What is the best way to connect all these.
My idea was to install an Airport card in my Mac Pro, then add an Airport Express station w/airtunes to room 2, to connect the PC and printer. That way, room 3 can access with wifi, and room 2 can physically plug into the Airport Express station. Problem with that is that the Airport Express Card must be professionally installed in my Mac Pro and that $80+ charge on top of the Airport Express and Aiport Card itself, turns this into a $200+ endeavor.
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http://www.macworld.com/article/1165582/how_to_email_groups_with_mail.html
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How can I make them aware of each other, so they can exchange files? Both have network
icons in the systems peferences, but I can't see how to hook them up.

That got me closer, but I'm not quite there yet. On each ofthe two computers I've allowed all users File Sharing and Remote Management. Each computer has an address 192.168.1.2 (or 4). When I enter those addresses into "connect to server" the reponse is either 'drop box' or 'public folder'. So it seems that only very basic sharing is allowed. I have'nt set up a public folder on either one.

How do I set up a network between my Mac & PC's so they can share files

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