Please help newbie network 4 PC's using Linksys router

Please help newbie network 4 PC's using Linksys router

I am actually asking this for my girlfriend who is a techie and wants to network 4 PC's together.

Has DSL
Has Wired outlets
Has Linksys Router
All machines are running Windows XP Home

Goal:
Network PC's to share:
-Internet Connection
-Files on each PC
-Programs on other PC's (doubt it can be done without VNC perhaps)
-Print to any of 2 printers connected via USB or parallel port but not Network capable (Ethernet/LAN) printers

Help, To-Do's, Things people usually forget, Gotchas, Security, and even links to Tutorials or an easily obtained book (in a store) is much appreciated.

Thanks for any help in advance
Peter

Connect the DSL to the router, then each computer to the router. Make sure that DHCP is enabled on the router, then configure each computer to obtain its IP settings automatically. That should have the Internet sharing done.

For file sharing, you should be able to right-click any folder on any computer, select the sharing option to create a new share. Other computers should be able to access this by typing \\computername\sharename into the address bar in windows explorer.

To share the printers, right-click them, open the properties page and then select a sharing tab. Once you've enabled sharing, go to the other computers and add a new network printer. The wizard should guide you through the rest.

About the programs, I'm not really sure what you mean.

What about Wins settings or any other settings?

Thanks so much
Peter

All the settings on the NIC should be taken care of by the router, as long as you have enabled DHCP. You probably won't need to change anything yourself manually.