[networking 2 computers to use Internet connection]

We want to hook two xp sp2 computers so we can use on 1 phone line in same room to go online

 

This was discussed at length about a week ago.

 

The basics are

1) you share the internet connection ( from the modem) from the network card ( most newer computers have network cards rather than modems installed) of the computer with the modem to the network card of computer number 2 without the modem.

2) The articles just referred to should tell you how to turn on internet connection sharing in the computer with the modem

3) You can connect the two computer network cards either with a "crossover " ethernet cable not the ordinary standard ethernet cable or use the 4 "lan" ports in a router. You can place the ehternet cables in any of the 4 ports should not matter.
The router is probably the easiest way to do it.

4) Lastly the first computer has to be logged on and obviously switched on the second computer to have internet

 

An alternative solution is to use a router. This is a network device that allows computers on the network to use a single internet connection.

If you intend using broadband over your telephone connection, I'd recommend you invest in a broadband router rather than try to share one computer's connection to the internet.

Here are a couple of links to pages describing routers from a couple of popular manufacturers:

• Linksys
• Netgear

 

I will go along with that suggestion big time if it will work with Dialup.

We have Cable Internet. We have three computer plugged into a Router and anyone of them can get on the Internet at anytime. We have had all three on at once. No one depends on the other for anything.
And we also very much enjoy playing games between machines. YES ! some things may need to be installed on each machine but over time it is has proved well worth it.

BillyBob

 

Actually, you can get routers that will connect to the internet via normal dial-up rather than broadband. For example, you can connect a Cisco 805 router to V.35 modem via its serial port.

However, it is very difficult to control and the result can be excessive telephone bills. Also, the telephone line really needs to be dedicated to the router. Therefore, I agree that it is a poor option.

In my defense then I did state "If you intend using broadband over your telephone connection" and my experience is that users can describe ADSL as simply a telephone connection. Therefore it is not a good idea to assume that just because a connection is described as being via a telephone line that it is dial-up. The intention of my post was to offer the router option in case the assumption made by other posters was incorrect. I obviously didn't do that very well or I would not have had to clarify what I meant in this post.

 

I always have to smile for people who are resistant to switch from dialup to broadband internet.
You can work down every objection.... and then get down to that on top of everything else that you tie up your phone line and in the end find you have to get a second phone line ( which you can point out is false economy).
They often nod and agree " That is why we have or are getting an additional phone line installed) . Overall it is false economy . It all boils down to resistance to change which is a common human trait.
In the end at some point if they make the switch to broadband internet these same people will recite at great length that all things considered in this day and age if you have the option of high speed internet dial up is a foolish option which is primitive . lol.

 

I was just browsing through the site and and ran across this post.

Along with 3 PCs I also have a Printer plugged into the Router.

It it just great to not have to depend on just one PC for anything.

BillyBob