Network help please

Hi all
I am kinda new to all this pc stuff so excuse me. I would like to set a network with laptop running XP home and desktop running Win98 (not SE). I have inbuilt LAN on laptop and a card on desktop (came with cable). I thought i could just plug them both together (silly me) but i just don't know if i need or have all the bits. Any help would be good, prefer layman english please. Thanks Gadget

 

Do either or both also need internet access?

The cable you have is probably the wrong one. For hooking a PC to an unlike device (cable modem, hub/switch, etc.) you need a cable that has the wires run directly thru so that the wire that is at the left side of the plug at one end is also at the left side at the other plug and so on. For hooking like devices (PC to PC in your case) you need what is called a 'crossover' cable where several of the wires do not run directly thru but go to different pins at either end.

The remainder of the setup instructions will differ depending on your internet needs.
- One PC connects and the other doesn't
- Neither PC connects
- Both connect with one acting as the 'server' and the other as the 'client'. BTW - this works with either dial-up or broadband and using software you have as part of the OS load.

 

Hi thanks for the advice, i have checked and it's a straight through cable not a cross over. What i wanted to do if possible was to maybe use both for the internet abd share a printer also if possible transfer data from one to the other. Any help is appreciated. Thanks all

 

use both for the internet abd share a printer also if possible transfer data from one to the other

Certainly.

- get a crossover cable to connect the devices.
- set the Workgroup name as the same on both PCs. No spaces or odd characters. Set different names for each PC (again, no spaces or odd characters)
- enable the Guest account on XP.
- set up ICS (internet connection sharing) using one PC as the Host/Controller and the other as the Client as described Here. Note this link is for using XP as the Host. You can use 98 but the instructions are a little different.
- log on to each PC with a username and NON BLANK password.
- set stuff (printer, folder(s) or files) to be shared.

 

Thanks Newt looks like you sorted my problem for now, just need to buy a new cross over cable and take it from there Thanks very much. kindest Regards Gadget

 

Glad to help. If you get stuck, post back somewhere. We work cheap and cheereful.