Buying Multiple Windows XPs

I am amid setting up my network. All of the computers are talking to each other, but the internet isn't being shared by the original computer to the two clients. This is where I thought Windows XP might help. Would it be easier to share the connection if I upgraded all the computers to XP now. Right now, the host is Windows 98 SE, the clients are both ME with a new client to come that will be XP. Will making all the OS XP make sharing the connection easier and more streamlined? If so, and if not so, is there any way that I can buy three upgrades for each computer w/o paying 200 per computer, a whopping 600 dollar investment? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

Take a look Here and you can save a little on the upgrade software cost. And while I much prefer XP-pro, unless you are on a domain where it won't work, XP-Home is quite a bit less expensive. OTOH, if you get home installed and decide you really do want/need pro, you gotta pay the full upgrade price again so could get expensive.

But a bigger question to me would be if your hardware will run XP well. If not, more bucks than just the OS cost.

You mentioned not having the current boxes connecting to the internet. That is certainly possible with 98/ME so if you've tried and had problems, post a new thread in the networking section or post here that you want to have the thread moved to the networking section. You are looking at under $100 to do the job unless there is something really strange about your setup. In fact, if all PCs have NICs and are able to connect to each other now, probably only $50 to do the deed.

 

My advice is to invest the $50 or less, plus cabling, in a router. It makes the networking as well as the sharing of an internet connection much easier...and it's a lot cheaper than putting XP on all the systems.

If cables are a problem, spend a little more for wireless. It will still cost you less than all those copies of XP and you'll avoid all the Windows upgrading headaches, as well.

 

The only suggestion that I would make other than what Miz posted would be to get a 4 port ( or more if needed ) Router/Switch.

That keeps the LAN and the Internet separated better.

BillyBob