connecting 2 computers

poppyolivia

Hi there I did a search and only one thing came up roughly the same as what I want to ask but not quite...I take that as I'm thick so...

go easy and please explain real simply:o

Got a computer in living room, want one in the kitchen for the kids....not far from living room at all.

what do I need to buy to link them up, really don't want to go wireless as that sounds even more confusing...yes I live in the dark ages!!:o

I did google it but read something about unscrewing the tower and putting a card in????????

help;)

Thank you very much x

happy_gardener

wireless not really expensive but well worth it as you can have the pc's anywhere you like in the house and no wires. the wee router thing just plugs into the main phone socket and you have a wee usb thing that you plug into the rear of both the pc's..so in effect it has like an aeriel....you should get one...saves on messing abot with extra wires etc....technology changes so fast...best to keep up with things!!

poppyolivia

I just don't like change!!lol will give it a look though as see what it all about...cheers!!

benjus

In order to be used in a wired network, a computer must have an Ethernet (also called LAN or Network) port installed - virtually all computers produced in the last few years have these. They take an RJ45 plug. In the unlikely event that you don't have one, you would have to buy an Ethernet card and open the case to install it.

Do you currently have an internet connection at home? If so, how is your computer connected to it, and do you want both computers to be able to access the internet? This will affect the solutions somewhat.

If you want to provide internet to both computers, the simplest way would be to get a broadband router to connect to the internet, and connect the Ethernet ports of both computers to the router.

If you don't have an internet connection and just want to connect the two computers together you can use a cable directly between the Ethernet ports of both computers. Traditionally this had to be a "crossover" cable, but more modern Ethernet ports can handle either crossover or normal cables.

macman

The simplest way of linking the 2 PC's is by connecting them using a crossover ethernet cable. This plugs into the network/ethernet port of each PC. Unless your PC's are more than about 6 years old then they will have network ports. You must use a crossover cable and not a standard ethernet cable though. Then you can network the two together to exchange files etc.
If you already have a router on the first PC then just connect the two together by plugging the new one into the router. This will enable you to share the internet connection betwen them.

Leopard

If you don't want to install wireless (which is essentially for use with laptops, to provide the flexibility of operating in non-fixed locations) and the idea of running a cable between the two rooms does not appeal, there is another alternative which you might wish to consider.

"Powerline adaptors" are devices that use the electrical wiring of your house in an ingenious way to provide an Ethernet connection between two fixed locations.

Simply put, they are equipped with 3-pin 13 amp plugs. You plug one powerline adaptor into an ordinary electricity socket near to each computer. They, like your computers, have an Ethernet socket. You take a simple Ethernet lead (two, in your case) and plug one end of it into a computer and the other end of it into a powerline adaptor. As if by magic, the Ethernet signal then piggy-backs along the wiring of your house and connects the two computers to each other.

They work really well and you can read about them, with pictures and diagrams, here.

poppyolivia

Thank you so much for your help! The pc I have is about 3 years old think, nothing fancy Dell dimension 3100, was just wanting another one for the kids to use. I'm with tiscali right now on the £14.99 package (just broadband)...so scared to change just incase I can't get it working again!lol

I have read everything you have all written and appreciate it so much, thank you x