beginner question

[thomasthom]

i just bought a Gigabyte GA-7N400 Pro2 mainboard with onboard 'Realtek 8201 Ethernet Controller'
what cable do i need to link to another pc and what card do i need in the other pc(distance 8 yards).i'll be doing file transfers and sharing a printer.i'll have windows xp on both pcs

 

[Aves]

Any 10/100 Ethernet NIC in the other computer should be fine. You'll need a crossover between them if you're going to connect them directly without the use of a hub/switch.

 

[imported_Paladin]

You need any sort of Ethernet port in the other PC. Your GA-7N400 has a 10/100 port, so a 10/100 on the other PC would be prefered.

Connecting them, 25 feet apart:

Solution 1. An Ethernet cross-over cable. (the orange and green pairs swapped.) (Simplest solution)

Solution 1b. If you cannot find a long crossover cable, a crossover cable, an RJ-45 female-female adapter, and a straight Ethernet cable. (Worst solution.)

Solution 2. A small 10/100 switch and straight Ethernet cables from the switch to each PC.

Solution 3. If you have or may have in the future a broadband Internet connection (cable or DSL) -- a router with a built-in 4-port (or so) 10/100 switch. (IMO the Best solution, but I am biased.)

I don't do software -- but it is my understanding that WinXP is quite friendly in this area.

 

[thomasthom]

thanks for the replies .i'll go with the 10/100 nic and the crossover cable