Are you running Windows XP? If you are, you can use Windows XP as an FTP client, and save your money on the purchase of FTP client software. Windows XP works very well as an FTP client, allowing you to upload or download your files onto your hosting provider's server.
By using the network manager that comes with Windows XP, you can transfer, or upload, your website from your local drive, to your hosting account.
To use Windows XP as an FTP client, you will need your FTP settings handy. Specifically, you will need your FTP User Name, and your FTP Password, which were provided by your hosting provider when you setup your account. You will also need your web site URL http://www.yourdomainname.com , and your FTP Site URL ftp://www.yourdomainname.com . If you are missing any of this information, you can log into your hosting provider account manager to retrieve it.
1) You will want to setup your Network Place in Windows XP. To do this, in Windows XP, select Start>Settings>Network Connections>My Network Places>Add a network place. The Add Network Place Wizard window will appear. Click Next. 2) Select Choose another network location. Click Next. 3) Enter the internet address for your FTP site: i.e. ftp://www.yourdomainname.com . Click Next. 4) Uncheck the “Log on anonymously” box, and enter your FTP User Name. Click Next. 5) Type a name for your network place. This can be any name you want that best describes your site. Click Next. 6) Click Finish.
Your Network Place will now open in a new window. The Log On As window will display, and you will need to enter your FTP User Name and Password to log into your account on your hosting server. Make sure your internet connection is open when you logon.
To see files on your local drive select: View>Explorer Bar>Folders.
To transfer files to your hosting server, you simply copy and paste, the same as you would with a file in Windows Explorer.
Good work! You can now upload and download files to your hosting server. Finally, you will want to open your internet browser, and check that your files were uploaded properly.
Wayne Pelrine
www.venturihosting.com
