how do you connect a Xp comp to a Win98se comp?

i know both have this network neighborhood thingy

i am using the Xp computer right now, hooked to the net though my only ethernet connection port thingy to a cable modem

this computer also has a normal dial up modem thingy too.

the cable modem has a conection thingy for a usb port. i tried to use that to connect to the other computer (win98se, cant upgrade at present). that didnt work

so i got a phone line type cable that came with the XP computer. i connected this computer to the other through the dial up modems

but, the other computer cant run the networking startup disk that this computer asked me to make. says there is something blocking the action, a protection thing. right now, both computers are connected to each other with the usb and phonetype cable. but they cant find each other and i dont know what i am doing

i am completely lost

i basically want to be able to share info on this computer with the other and from it to this one. and if possible also connect the other to the internet at the same time, would be an awesome bonus.

i figure i have confused alot of you, but any help, expeclially pictures or programs or sites that know how to do what i am trying would be the greatest why of teaching me to do this the right way.

help, anything, please

thank you for your time and stuff

 

Quite a few ways to do the deed. Your choice will depend on what you need.

Cheap & very slow - get a serial "null modem" cable (any good computer shop can make one up for you) and connect the PCs via the serial port. Then set up Direct Cable Connection networking as described in Direct Cable Connection Between Windows 2000 and Windows 98 Not Working. Written for W2K but the same will apply to XP. And more info in How to Configure Direct Cable Connection for Optimal Performance.

Also cheap and somewhat faster is to use a null modem parallel cable (printer type cable) and so the same sort of setup.

But those are only good for occasional file transfers and are seriously clunky to deal with. Better for your situation in my opinion would be to use Ethernet networking. I'd avoid USB since it can give some strange problems. Several options for ethernet.

You can put a network card (NIC) in the 98 PC and a 2nd NIC in the XP PC. This way the PCs can talk at pretty high speed and you can set things up so they can both connect to the internet thru the same cable modem.

Or my choice - buy a router/switch (about $50-$60) to connect to your cable modem. Add a NIC to the 98 PC. Plug both PCs into the switch part of the router/switch. Most of the setup stuff is handled by the router/switch and you have good, fast networking between the PCs and either can use the internet without needing the other one turned on.

If you say which of the above suits you, we can give specifics on setting things up.

 

Lucky Kitten,

I agree with Newt. The best to go, would be to get yourself a router. I have a XP and 98 system networked together using a Linksys BEFSR41 router. Easy to set up and works great.

Mike

 

Me three Lucky Kitten. Newt gave you good advice.
The router chosen is what I'm using. Although my word terminology has moved past "thingy things ", I also lacked basic understandings of how to set up a ISP share/router. The Linksys router Newt chose set all of this up for me "auto-magical ". XP network wizard did the rest. My XP, w95 and router get along just fine. You will love the convenience this type of setup provides.