i have a windows xp machine home sp2  (desktop) and a windows me (laptop) i was wondering if i could network it to the desktop but not using a router so it could acess the internet using the desktop as a host ?(tight on the money) and if so what would the basics  i need  (the laptop is going to be in a fixed postion in the room beside it)

Thanks

of course yoou can. you don't say, but i suppose you have an ADSL modem or a cable modem connected to the desktop pc. You have to connect the laptop to the pc using a network cable or via wireless. If you aren't gonna move the laptop, i'd suggest you to buy (if you don't have one) an ethernet network card for the desktop pc and connect it to the laptop (they use to have an ethernet adaptor built in) using a crossed twisted pair cable (not sure about the english name).

Once you've done that, go to network connections in the control panel of the desktop pc . There's an option to configure a LAN. Choose it and follow the instructions of the wizard. You have to say that that pc is going to share an internet connection etc.... It's quite easy. Remember to click the links that appear next to the options to see an image of your network structure and choose the correct one.

When you finish with that, you'll have to do something similar to the laptop. You can use the CD of Windows XP, and choose do additional things and then seletect that you want to configure the network settings. Or you can create a floppy disk (in the desktop pc, just at the end of the wizard process) and use that disk to configure the laptop.

can you share files between computers?

does it matter but if its win xp and win me?

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Originally posted by Choli
ADSL modem or a cable modem

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You don't need to tell your ISP because essentially the second computer will just share the first's internet connection. You will be able to share files and printers if you select that option when you run the network wizard.

You will need a crossover network cable which essentially is just like a normal cable, but some wires are swapped over. It looks the same as a normal cable essentially. Your local computer shop should be able to help you there, or it's fairly easy to make yourself with a kit from somewhere like Maplins.

On both machines you just need to run the wizard to "set up a home or small office network" which is really simple to follow. You need to run it on both machines, and just do what it says. As I say its quite simple. You can use your Windows XP CD to run the wizard on the second machine just as Choli said.

To be honest, its really simple thanks to the wizards so hopefully you should be up and running in no time!

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Originally posted by Jeronimo
Windows XP CD

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No a restore disk will not work, as far as i know

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Originally posted by chris100
does it matter but if its win xp and win me?

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Originally posted by chris100
I have an ntl cable modem

do you need to tell your isp?

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Originally posted by Jeronimo
crossover network cable

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Originally posted by Jeronimo
set up a home or small office network

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Originally posted by chris100
my xp disk is an emachines restore disk will it work?

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you don't need the cd... you can use a floppy or any other storage medium to do it.... you just have to follow the instructions in the wizard

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Originally posted by chris100

my xp disk is an emachines restore disk will it work?

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Thanks for all your help everyone

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Originally posted by Jeronimo
When you insert the disk it should autorun and you get presented with a screen that looks like this

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