What procedure is used to to start an FTP service on a computer to receive files from other computers?

You have to install and run FTP server software.

If you have Windows XP or Vista, you can install the personal PC version of Internet Information Services on your computer and include the FTP server component.

Go to Add/Remove Programs and select the Add/Remove Windows Components. Select the IIS and view the details. Check the FTP server to add it as well. As with any FTP server, the directory that it points to will have to have permissions assigned to it to allow anything other than Anonymous read level access. You can assign folder level permissions to a user account on the PC.

You have to install and run FTP server software.

Do you recommend any?

I've never used any. I would check for Open Source servers.

Try apache, I think it is free.