Once you've got your Pocket PC connected to your WIFI network, you can use the Pocket PC to view and copy shared files from your networked computers through your network connection.  However, this is a one way connection.  The computer does not register your Pocket PC as a network device, so you can not use your computer to view and copy files from your Pocket PC.   Also, if you have the right software installed on your Pocket PC, you can use the Pocket PC to edit documents, play music, and watch videos that are stored on the network computer.  

To use your Pocket PC to browse files on your network computer you must enable file sharing on the network computers, establish a WIFI connection on the Pocket PC and create a path to the network computer from the Pocket PC.

1.  Enable file sharing on your network computers

Before you can access your network computer's files from your Pocket PC, you need to enable file sharing on the network computer and you need to know the name of the network computer.

Enable file sharing: Open up File Explorer on the network computer. Move to the subdirectory you want to share. Right click your mouse button. Select “Sharing and Security“ Select the “Sharing” tab. Review the “Network Sharing and Security” portion of the menu Check the boxes for “Share this folder on the network” and “Allow network users to change my files.”	Find the name of network computer:  Select Start > Control Panel Select System icon Select “Computer Name” tab. The computer name can be found next to “Full Computer Name.”   You will input this name exactly as it's shown here into the "Open Path" dialogue box in File Explorer (shown below).

2. Establish a WIFI connection on the Pocket PC 

Turn on the Pocket PC's WIFI radio.  When the WIFI button turns green you are connected to your network.

If you have not gotten your Pocket PC set up to connect to your WIFI access point, see my article entitled, Connect your Pocket PC to a WIFI Access Point.

3. Create a path to the network computer from the Pocket PC

Open up Pocket File Explorer.

Windows Mobile 2003:	WM5.0:
Tap the third icon on lower edge of screen that looks like a hand holding a cylinder.	Tap Menu > Open Path.

You will see an Open box where you will enter the name of the network computer you wish to connect to, like this: \\full_computer_name\	You may be asked to enter your User name & Password in a Network Log On screen.  Since my laptop is not password protected, I leave this screen blank and tap OK.	You will see a Network box with a message, “connecting to server.” Then you will see the subdirectories on your shared directory.

Working with Shared Files from a Network Computer

The version of File Explorer that is installed on Pocket PCs is quite limited.  Using File Explorer, you are able to view your networked computer's file structure and copy files from the network computer to the Pocket PC, but you are not able to open shared files on your Pocket PC (unless, of course, you copy them to the Pocket PC first).  

However, there are some File Management applications that will allow you to use your Pocket PC to edit documents, view pictures, listen to music or watch videos that are stored on your network computer:  

• Resco Explorer is a commercial product you might want to check out.  It is an excellent file management application that provides many different features.  (NOTE:  I have never used Resco Explorer, but I have heard many good things about it)
• Total Commander is a free application that I recommend highly (see the article, Take Charge of your Files, for more information about my experiences with this software)

Using Total Commander

Download and install the ARM version of Total Commander to your Pocket PC.  Then turn on the Pocket PC's WIFI radio.  When the WIFI button turns green you are connected to your network.

Open up Total Commander (Tap Start > Programs > Total Commander icon).

You'll see a folder and two hash marks (\\) at the very top of the list.	Tap the hash marks and then tap the LAN folder	Select <new server>
Input the name of the network computer in the New Connections dialogue box:  \\your_computer_name	Tap the Connection you just created (avalon48) You may be asked to enter your User name & Password in a Network Log On screen.	Since my laptop is not password protected, I leave this screen blank and tap OK. You will see a Network box with a message, “connecting to server.” Then you will see the subdirectories on your shared directory

Now navigate to any shared subdirectory on your computer.  Tapping and holding your stylus on a file will open it up.  If you select a music or video file and the files are associated with an application on your Pocket PC, the Pocket PC will open up the application and begin playing the music or audio on your Pocket PC.  This screenshot shows video that is playing on my rx1950 (using the TCPMP media player) from my network computer.

Troubleshooting Tips

Be sure you input the name of the network computer, not an IP address in the Open Path dialogue box. 

Sometimes I get a "Network path is not found" error message when I attempt to access my network computer files. Whenever I see this message, I close File Explorer, check my WIFI signal, and attempt to connect to the network computer again.

Computer firewall software can block your access to a networked computer's files.  I have to disable the Microsoft Firewall on my laptop before I can access my computer's shared files and subdirectories.

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