How to Use a PC as a Workstation

The PC started out as a way for people to bring the powerful computing found at the office to the home on a smaller scale. The very name, Personal Computer, is a statement of the computer's power being designed to fit the needs on an individual and not an entire company. Early PCs didn't have the memory, computer processors, graphic cards and other components that workstations of the same time did, in order to make the price lower. Today, the PC and the workstation have come together both in price and available components.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Wireless router (optional)
• Operating system made for networks (Windows should recognize connections automatically)
• Ethernet cable to connect the PC with the server
• Ethernet connection on your PC (normally comes standard)

How to Use a PC as a Workstation

1. Turn off the PC you plan to use as a workstation.
2. Use a cable to attach the PC to the server. There may be a network cable plug in the office already.
3. Turn the PC on to boot up. If using a Windows system, the PC should recognize the network.
4. Get out your network username and password if you don't have them memorized. You may need to contact a network administrator if you don't know your login information.
5. View the connection icons on your computer to make sure the PC recognizes the network connection.
6. Check the computer to make sure you have access to various files and programs located on the server. If you don't have network access, you will need to map the network drives. Mapping the network drives establishes the connection of the PC to the network and will make use of your network username and password.
7. Access files and programs and send messages along the network with the PC as you would with a workstation.

Tips & Warnings

• Go wireless to bypass the need for Ethernet cables from your PC workstation. You will need a wireless router, a PC with wireless capabilities and one Ethernet cable to connect the router to the server to use your PC as a workstation.
• You will need "administrator privileges" to connect the PC to the network and use it as a workstation.
• If things don't work well at first, be patient and retrace your steps to make sure everything is set up properly.
• Make sure you have the name of the server and workstation written down so you can remember exactly how it is spelled. Computers are very syntax sensitive, so one small change in wording will completely change what the computers read.

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