Friday, November 11, 2011

Send messages on/through LAN

To send a message or chat on LAN - lets say you have two or more computers connected over LAN.

First, goto Start -> Run -> services.msc -> (Hit Enter)

This'll open up a Win Services window
- goto service "messenger"
- if its not started(by default)
- right click on it, click on "Properties"
- choose "Automatic" in the drop-down menu of "Startup Type"
- then, click on "Start" button to start the service (***important - do this on both the computers***)
- close this window

Pointless but, make sure both the computers are in the same workgroup.

Now, lets say first computer's name is Test1 and second's name is Test2

(to check both of the above statements, goto properties of "My Computer" or just press "Winkey + Pause break")

now open command prompt via, Start -> Run -> cmd

(if you're on Test1/first computer)
type in "net send Test2 This is the message
(hit enter)

You'll receive the pop-up with message saying "Message from Test1 to Test2 :- This is the message"

Same way you can chat over LAN through command prompt, although there are many softwares(freewares) available to chat over LAN, but I prefer this way.