Please advise best way to set up a home/office network

You can setup the desktop as a pseudo-server.  I would recommend trying to hookup all printers to the server and sharing them from there - along with at least one file-share from there.  As wireless is most times inconsistent even in the best configurations I would recommend you hard-wire at least the server.

Without a domain server, you will have to deal with keeping usernames/password sync'd.  All this means is that if you create a user 'John' with a password of 'hilda' on the server, you'll need to create that same user/password combination on each PC John needs to use.

Outlook synchronization depends on the type of account you are using.. ie.. are you connecting to an Exchange server or a POP3 account?

You may run into some problems getting the Vista PC to access a file share on the XP machine.  This is a common problem and there are various solutions - although my own experience has not resulted in full functionality yet.  Perhaps Vista SP1 solves that issue, I'm not sure.

As for cost - it sounds like you have everything you need, so the cost is simply your time.

Depending on the RAM/Processor in your desktop, you may want to spend a few dollars to increase the RAM - which will usually increase performance and sometimes can make up for a slower processor to some degree.

Another option would be to use Linux on the server.  Ubuntu is easy to install/configure and could be configured to do what you want to do.  However if you already own a copy of XP for the desktop I don't believe there is any advantage to this setup - UNLESS your desktop is pretty old hardware, in which case it might perform better with Linux.

Good Luck

ok for linking the computers together is simple, you just get a switch/router and plug them all in. if you wish to have the internet on all of them then you will need a router but make sure that you buy one for the right connection (virgin media use a different type of connection to bt).  zyxel are a very good make, since finding them all my networking things have been from them.
the outlook thing is a bit trickier, do you know what protocol you are using (pop3, imap, http) if it isnt pop3 it would be as simple as just putting the accounts on the pc but if you are using pop3 then i dont know of a way of syncing them.

I get my E-mail through a couple of POP3 (and two SMTP) servers.

Are you suggesting I run USB cables from the server to all 3 printers? As the computers are in different rooms, I'm wondering if there's a distance limit?

No, the desktop is fairly new and decent spec I think - but not sure as it's my son's. He's bought a new laptop and lives away from home now, I was thinking of offering to buy it! What sort of minimum spec would I need?

Sorry whilst I've heard of domain servers I'm unaware of how to set them up. How would the PCs be connected? I have run a 10/100 crossover cable between two PCs before some time ago, but this system of 4 PCs is more complicated.

Thanks, that's really helpful and clear. I'll head in that direction.

The only thing sounding a bit iffy is the E-mail side. It sounds like my wife can retain her Outlook setup as it is, on her laptop (laptop C). Her E-mail accounts and mine are different, although they are using the same two POP3 servers as I use as we route our E-mails through 2 websites that I maintain.

My E-mail is less straightforward. I have laptop A at home, which used to be for both work and home use. I have recently bought a new laptop B which I carry around with me and am making that my work PC. I want to be able to get work E-mails on that at any time, any place, and have an HSDPA modem for that when I'm away from home. I tried initially to separate them completely, receiving only work E-mails on B and home E-mails on A, trying to minimise the pst file size and improve its speed. However, I find that a bit of a nuisance due to creating calendar entries on both machines, and my first thought then was keep the E-mails separate but to synchronise them so that they swap calendar entries, contacts notes and tasks created on each machine.

I had come across some software called sync2 which synchronises two PCs using a USB memory stick transfer file, but it seems a bit laborious too when I'm always pushed for time. Their site seemed to suggest synchronisation is easy when using a server, but apparently not from what you say.

I'm starting to think now that the easiest solution will be to make the work machine the "live" one and then copy the pst file to the home one periodically so I can consult it when needed, and create/receive nothing on PC A. The pst files will be bigger, but perhaps I should delete some old stuff!

Having re-read your reply, can I ask for a little clarification? You said "The router will have a public port (also known as WAN or Internet) - you'll hook this up to your cable-modem or DSL modem. " I have DSL broadband at home over my telephone line. When I first got it enabled, I got a DSL modem providing for a single PC. When we went to 2 PCs, this modem was replaced by a 4-port wired router. I don't connect the router to a modem - it is its own modem, it connects directly to the filter. Are wireless routers different?

For the small number of times we want to print to a printer in the other room, I think buying wireless printer servers is not worth it. I presume that when all PCs are connected and running, I could send a print job from laptops A and B in one room via the router to the printer in the other room attached (only) to laptop C? Otherwise we'll just continue to use to memory sticks.

As a further thought, can you tell me if (once I've linked the PCs the way you describe) it's possible to install software on the server and then run it on any PC when they are attached? I suppose there will be license issues, but apart from that, will it work?

Thanks.

There may be some wireless routers which have DSL modem's built in.  I've never used one myself - although most of my customers are using cable-modems.  In my area, the prices are fairly competitive and the cable-modems provide better/faster service (although the gap in performance is closing).  If you can get a DSL Modem with Wifi router built in, that will work fine.  If not, you should be able to connect the a new wireless router into any of the ports on your existing DSL Modem/Router without any issue.  You MAY want to turn the router functionality of the DSL Modem/Router OFF - but its probably not necessary.

Yes, as long as all PCs are on, you should have connectivity that would allow you to print to any printer - assuming all permissions have been set properly, drivers loaded, etc.

If you install programs on the server, they will NOT be available on the clients.  You could use something like Remote Desktop - which is built into Windows XP and Vista - although I would recommend you should have a certain comfort level with Remote Desktop before you go that route.  It is not difficult to configure or setup - but you should understand exactly what its doing and what limitations exist.

If you want the ability to actually install software to the clients from the server - you would need to look at a more complex configuration.  Specifically an Active Directory domain controller will let you do what you want through Group Policy, etc.  If you are not familiar with these concepts; I would recommend it's probably more complex than what you need.  If you decide you have specific needs which require this type of system and you are not comfortable with Windows Server, Active Directory, etc - then you really should be hiring some consultant.

Good Luck

OK, many thanks.
Stuart