do i need to have ethernet on both pcs in order to set up a network

andy88_2

I think so, yes. If you're getting the shop to fit it, all you'll need to do is connect the cable between the two ethernet cards.

If you later decide to get a router, or go wireless (only really needed if you want to use a laptop in the garden, or don't want to drill ethernet cables through the walls), only the crossover cable will be redundant from this set-up.

Toxteth_OGrady

Yep that's about the sum of it.

I wouldn't pay a shop to fit an ethernet pci card. It's easier than wiring a 13 Amp plug. Loads of howto guides with photos on the www.

You can buy a NIC (ethernet card) on Ebay for a couple of quid. XP will install it with no additional drivers needed. You could also pick uo a crossover patch cable on Ebay for under a fiver.

Plug your usb modem into the pc that you run the Home Networking Wizard on first. Make sure the other pc is connected with the patch cable. When you get to the end of the Wizard on the first machine select to create a networking disk. Pop the disk in the second pc and run it.

That will automatically set up Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) on the first pc, which is like a software router embedded in the operating system.

If only one pc has XP make sure that is the one you attach the modem to and run the Network Wizard on first.

:cool:

TOG

andy88_2

At last someone that really knows their stuff!

SomeOne_2

-would most of them work with aol
A router is independant of your ISP so yes it should

-would that mean i wouldnt need to get ethernet in the one that doesnt have an ethernet card in
no you will still need an ethernet card in that one

-are they a lot more expensive than normal routers
If you don't need wireless then a wired adsl router should be around £40.

-would it improve performance that way rather than the way i was planning to do it
Yes as it would not be dependant on either pc, however whether you'd notice the difference is another thing.
You would have the advantage of either computer being able to access the internet independantly of each other.

Browntoa

toxeths is the set-up i am using, was easy to set up

the main pc needs to be switched on for the internet sharing towork