Networking two computers... how to???? HELP Please!

[DrLove'sKuDang]

what do i need? the simplest way possible. i have a computer in the living room and one in the bedroom. i just want to be able to access files between them.

do i just need an extra ethernet card in both and connect them directly between those?

[Prez808]

what do i need? the simplest way possible. i have a computer in the living room and one in the bedroom. i just want to be able to access files between them.

do i just need an extra ethernet card in both and connect them directly between those?

Google has all of those answers. But some of the basics are that both computers need to be in the same workgroup. You might also have more difficulty if one computer is an xp machine and the other is a vista box.

[Pandemic]

Alright, easiest way possible:
2 computers both hooked to a router either via wifi or ethernet (hardline).

on one of the computers (know computer name) rightclick and go to sharing and security. click that - share the folder on the network. On the other pc go to start > run then type \\computername
press enter
the shared folders will come up.

transfer is faster via ethernet for the most part.

If you want to network 2 computers together it's way more of a pain. You'll need crossover cable... a pain.

let me know how you make out.

[accordaffair]

Alright, easiest way possible:
2 computers both hooked to a router either via wifi or ethernet (hardline).

on one of the computers (know computer name) rightclick and go to sharing and security. click that - share the folder on the network. On the other pc go to start > run then type \\computername
press enter
the shared folders will come up.

transfer is faster via ethernet for the most part.

If you want to network 2 computers together it's way more of a pain. You'll need crossover cable... a pain.

let me know how you make out.

or a hub

[Pandemic]

for under $100, router = hub= access point = etc :P

[Leung]

yeah you can get a nice belkin router for about 30 bucks at Wally World(walmart)

that's how i have my Xbox set up for an FTP server between my computer.

[palinix]

Simplest way - use a ethernet (cat5e) crossover cable.

link

Since distance and the length of single cable needed might be an issue, just get a cheap hub and two standard cables.

[DrLove'sKuDang]

Simplest way - use a ethernet (cat5e) crossover cable.

link

Since distance and the length of single cable needed might be an issue, just get a cheap hub and two standard cables.

so with a crossover cable i can connect two computers with nothing more than each of them having an ethernet card?


and yes erik, i know i could search, but i am LAZY

[Prez808]

Yep yep. I was in the same boat as you not that long ago. XP and Vista don't get along too well from that I discovered. I hope both oh your machines are the same!

[The G-Man]

so with a crossover cable i can connect two computers with nothing more than each of them having an ethernet card?


and yes erik, i know i could search, but i am LAZY

Do you have both of them connected to the internet currently with the same connection?

I.E. one DSL or Cable modem?

Yep yep. I was in the same boat as you not that long ago. XP and Vista don't get along too well from that I discovered. I hope both oh your machines are the same!

I have not had any real issues with cross OS networking XP/Vista. I share files and folders all the time between my laptop and desktop.

Here is a diagram of what my network looks like at my house. All the computers run WinXP Pro, except for one of the laptops has Vista Home Premium.



Just as a little side note, I have 2 printers connected to the desktop hooked directly to the wireless router. Those printers are shared and can be sent print jobs from any of the other computers.

[palinix]

so with a crossover cable i can connect two computers with nothing more than each of them having an ethernet card?

Yes.

[Pandemic]

Crossover cable is not easier than networking through a router.
Cheaper - yes
easier - hell no

[DrLove'sKuDang]

Do you have both of them connected to the internet currently with the same connection?

I.E. one DSL or Cable modem?

no. i have one computer directly connected to the modem, and the other computer is just sitting in the bedroom.

Crossover cable is not easier than networking through a router.
Cheaper - yes
easier - hell no

how is it not easier??? whats so hard about plugging a cable into two computers?


btw. if i connect them with a crossover, will the 2nd computer be able to get online? or only the computer connected to the modem?

[palinix]

how is it not easier??? whats so hard about plugging a cable into two computers?


btw. if i connect them with a crossover, will the 2nd computer be able to get online? or only the computer connected to the modem?

You will have to manually configure your connections settings on each computer when using a cross-over cable. Not really that hard but you need to know what you are doing. An easy step by step guide should be available somewhere.

How is your internet PC connected to the modem? You will only be able to get you 2nd PC online via the crossover cable if your internet connected PC has a free network card.

[The G-Man]

no. i have one computer directly connected to the modem, and the other computer is just sitting in the bedroom.


how is it not easier??? whats so hard about plugging a cable into two computers?


btw. if i connect them with a crossover, will the 2nd computer be able to get online? or only the computer connected to the modem?

Is your modem hooked to your computer with a ethernet cable or USB?

If it is ethernet you will not be able to connect the two with a crossover and still have internet on either.

If you get a wired switch or router you will be able to share the internet connection between computers.
Any of these switches would work...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=%2410+-+%2425

If you need to go wireless (have a laptop or don't like running cables through your walls) decent wireless routers can be had for $50. Thing with wireless routers is that they operate at half speed of any wired network. In my house I make sure all the desktops are on a wired connection not only because it is faster, but it is more reliable. You never have to select a network, etc.

Last week I had all the computers in my room so I could reinstall windows on 2 of them and have 2 working systems at the same time. During this they were all (except 1 laptop) hooked to the same 8 port switch in my room which is in turn hooked to my wireless router, then to the cable modem.