remote access w/xp home and pro, or pcanywhere 2

[mldmld]

I have an xp pro machine at my home. It connects to the internet with cable and is connected to a netgear router. I want to xp home laptops to be able to access file from anywhere. Basically I want the xp pro machine to act as a server, and the have the laptops connect to the xp pro. How is this possible? Can I use remote desktop, or do I have to purchase pcanywhere. I am not the greatest networker, but I don't think it should be too hard. Thanks for the help.

 

[wolluf]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/northrup_03may16.mspx

http://www.dslwebserver.com/main/fr_index.html?/main/sbs-remote-desktop-overview.html

any use?

 

[mldmld]

That's what I needed wolluf. One more question. How would you make the host computer act like a server with Remote Desktop. I.E. I want to work on a Word doc. How can I execute the file thats on the host, and work on the file on the client computer. Then save it back on the host, like I do at work with the servers?

 

[paulrw1]

You would need a shared folder where the Word doc resides. You then make a network connection from your laptop to the shared folder on the "server". Once the connection is made, you can open the folder, open the document, make any changes to it and then resave it.

Also, if you are going to use that shared folder on your "server" for ALL Word documents, you can set Word up (Tools->Options->File Locations) so that when your laptop is connected to your home network, you will open this shared folder.