Quck question - Could anyone recommend a computer expert able to set up and connect 9 or 10 mixed windows PCs to a file server?

We aren't having much luck at the moment - our computer 'expert' seemed to run out of 'expertise' past installing a DVD-ROM drive.

Also, anyone who knows where to get hold of a copy of MS Office 2013 32 bit for Win 7 will be rewarded with countless riches*.

*in a future life.

Many thanks.

No-one can help? Never mind. And never mind the thread bump either.

Looks like hours toiling over a hot Chinese PC with a translator and Microsoft help site on full alert. Trial and error, be my friend!

Still looking for English version of W7 MSOffice 2013, but may have found an (unfortunately) full price download version.

Use piratebay to download and use malware bytes to scan the file before installing the ISO. Just google or bing the windows version and how to setup the Chinese version have everything in the same place, no need to translate.

Thanks to you for the reply. I'm not sure what you mean though. I should have been clearer. We have one PC running Win7 in English, and several more have Chinese Win XP or Win 7 without an English language option. I need to link these together with a database server. We currently have all linked to the internet, some linked to a printer, and none linked together!

(The Win 7 32 version of Office in English is to put on the English Win7 PC so that at least one PC in our school is fully English - a bit of a separate issue.)

Hmmm, it sounds like you are starting a new business? Or something close to? TBH, it sounds like you might want to get a copy of Windows Server, create a new domain (a Domain is kind like a computer representation of your business) and set it up as a Domain Controller. Particularly if you are thinking of adding more PCs in the future and are interested in a more centralised management and security arrangement. This would require an investment of a central computer to act as a server and possibly buying Windows Server. I only say you *may* need to go to this level as it sounds like you need a server/client architecture considering you need a database server. I can only assume you require this for some sort of work purpose, which brings in the necessity for security as well... while you can get away with just doing it using linked PCs, it will get more and more difficult for future growth (if this is the goal).

Using this technique, users log onto the domain, like in any big business you have worked in, all gateway and file/print/IP assignment/gateway/domain security operations can be centrally controlled through the server.

Generally its not advisable to put a database server on the same server as your DC as well for security reasons. You could use HyperV on windows server to virtualise your DB server though... might be getting a bit complex.

I aren't super experienced in the setting up of these things, I am just saying what it sounds like you need. Likely you can do it all yourself, TBH, using tutorials from the internet if you are computer savvy enough. Without more information though it would be hard to gauge what you need.

There was somewhere here a while back who advertised on here about setting up networking. It might be an idea to hire them for a few hours just to talk about what you need at least!

Thanks very much blobbles. It does basically confirm my ideas about what we need to do, but I'm struggling with the XP/win mix, and trying to do things on Chinese operating systems with no English language option. Up to now it's been a case of setting things up on the English win 7 PC, replicating things on a Chinese win 7, and then hoping for the best amidst a raft of printouts on the XPs - not the greatest working method!

I will get a copy of Win server I think and start from the beginning again.

If anyone could point me in the direction of the network expert who advertised previously I would be much obliged. I am just a humble teacher!