Networking. How do I do it?

[Gabriel013]

I've got as far as plugging a network cable into my two machines. After that I'm a little lost.

If it'd take too long to tell me exactly how to do it here then could anyone at least recommend a website which gives (very) simple instructions / I've searched a few but it sounds a little confusing.

I guess I was a little naive to think that it would be as simple as linking the two computers with a cable then clicking the network Icon and selecting the only one on the list.

[hawkster]

The easiest way is to use a ADSL/router from your broadband connection. This will then give you 4 network ports. Plug both PC's in and voila.

Thats how mine is setup at home. 3 pc's and the PS2. I use a Netgear ADSL modem router. Its a pretty old one the DG814 but it has been no problem since I have had it.

[Gabriel013]

My primary reason for wanting to connect the two is so that I can transfer a lot of my video files and stuff across to my new PC.

We tried an ADSL router but couldn't get it to work then we gave up. I've got a 1MB BB connection. Will I lose any download speed using the DG814?

[Norrec]

Actually, depending on your internet connection, there are some different options I could suggest, althought I think Dmitry would be the one to know the most about it.

If you have broadband, you could
1) use a router, and use patch (straight-through) ethernet cables to connect each computer to the router
2) if one computer has two network cards, or you add one, you can connect one computer to the broadband source with a patch cable, and then use a crossover ethernet cord between the two computers.

The second one can be used to share dialup too, thats the way I have it set up now actually because it's all we can get.

To set up the second, it's quite simple, just setup the internet connection on the first computer, then goto the Setup a Home or Small Office Network wizard, and select that the computer will connect directly to the internet and others will connect through it. Then setup the other computer through the same wizard, but change that setting so it connects through another computer on the network.

The first path is more straight forward I believe. But when you setup your network, set the names of both computers Workgroups to the same so its easier to manage them.

[Norrec]

Originally posted by Gabriel013
My primary reason for wanting to connect the two is so that I can transfer a lot of my video files and stuff across to my new PC.

We tried an ADSL router but couldn't get it to work then we gave up. I've got a 1MB BB connection. Will I lose any download speed using the DG814?

Even if the router is for a 10MB ethernet connection, your internet is only 1mb so it shouldnt affect that

[Gabriel013]

Thanks guys. So to start with if I only want to access my laptop from my new PC in order to copy data all I have to do is get a crossover ethernet cable to connect the two machines then use the home networking wizard to take me step by step the rest of the way?

[Norrec]

If you dont really care about sharing the internet, then the way to go would just directly connect them with the crossover, and use the wizard to set it up, and change the properties of the folders you want to share to be shared on the network. You can also share internet that way, if you want, but if you just want to transfer files, thats the cheapest way to go anyways.

[Dmitry M. (Lazer)]

Ok forget what any told you here. It seems to me you simply just want to network 2 computers and transfer files.

Forget Routers, forget Cable, forget any DSL connection. It's all there to confuse you.

You simply need a Crossover Cable, which is usually yellow in color, and if you have Windows XP on both machines, Networking is cake.

You don't even have to use the Wizard, it's very simple to do here's a complete step by step instruction:

1. Buy a Crossover RJ45 (Ethernet/Network) Cable (Usually a Yellow Ethernet Cable)
2. Connect both PC's using the cable, one end into your new pc and the other into your older pc.
3. Get on the PC which has the files you want to transfer.
4. Right Click on the folder you would like to share and go down to properties.
5. Click on the 'Sharing' Tab.
6. It may tell you the risks involved in sharing files/folders/harddrives on a network, and before you see any options you must click on the blue words. Do that and you can continue, if it doesn't say that move on to next step.
7. Check "Share this folder on the network"
8. Apply & OK.
9. Now all the files inside that folder will be shared. You can do the same to a whole Harddrive if you wish.

Now go onto your other PC.
1. Open 'My Network Places'
2. If the folders/files/harddrives you shared have apeared in there properly, you can now transfer files and you are done, if you do not see anything then continue to step 3.
3. Click 'Add New Network Place'
4. A Wizard will pop up click Next.
5. Click on 'Choose another network location' and click next.
6. Click 'Browse'
7. Expand 'Entire Network'
8. Expand 'Microsoft Windows Network'
9. Now you should see your Network, depending what you named it, standard name will be 'Workgroup'. Expand it.
10. Now you will see each computer shared in the network in your case the PC you are on now and the other pc.
11. Expand the other pc name.
12. And you should see all the shared folders/files/harddrives. Now click on one and click share and now it'll apear in 'My Network Places'.
13. Simply transfer and you are finished.

[Norrec]

Originally posted by Dmitry M. (Lazer)
Ok forget what any told you here. It seems to me you simply just want to network 2 computers and transfer files.

Forget Routers, forget Cable, forget any DSL connection. It's all there to confuse you.

You simply need a Crossover Cable, which is usually yellow in color, and if you have Windows XP on both machines, Networking is cake.

That's what I just suggested, except, your instructions (obviously) are much more thorough.

Forget you, Dmitry!

But yeah, Gabe, this is probably the way you want to go, Dmitry's instructions are trustworthy. (I have this strange urge to call you D to save the trouble of typing your name, even though I have another friend named D)

[Dmitry M. (Lazer)]

You posted at 07-27-2005 10:04 AM. I posted an hour and a half after you. I left around 9:50am in the morning and left this page on my screan so i wouldn't forget to reply to it.

I didn't refresh the post, in other words not seeing your post. Sorry bout that.



I used to work for Belkin Networking Sales. I still setup Wired/Wireless Networks for people. When it comes to computer networking i can pretty much solve almost anything.