Do I network or not- help please

[Davbaron]

My present computer is a Pll 450 using a TNT 1 graphics card and is due for an upgrade
I have ordered a Athlon lGhz,, Nvidia Ge Force GTS 2, 256 Ram system . ( Blow the savings you only live once)
The Pll isn?t worth selling, It has a fault whereby I cannot get into the display properties of the graphics card. Many efforts have been tried but I have given up on that
I wish to keep the P ll and to
a) transfer some internet downloaded files from it to the new computer.
b) Use either one of the computers on the internet
c) Maybe play head to head Flight sims with my grandson and/or friends

I believe I have two options and I need advice please

My modem is an external USB model so I could put the internet dial up settings on my new computer, use a hub to connect the modem to both computers, and then have a choice as to which computer to switch on and access the internet . I could buy a zip drive to transfer the files; and forego the head to head flight sim sessions!
Or
I could buy a networking kit ? peer to peer- and join the two computers on a network including shared connection to the internet. I am completely new to networking but I think I can set this up with a step by step guide from a magazine etc.
The latter option seems to be the thing to do, but it raises one or two important points, which is where I need the advice. Please advise re these questions.
1. When I use the new computer to play flight sims online, ie connection through the Pll 450 , will the specs of the computer be those of the Pll 450 or the new Athlon 1 Ghz. You can appreciate that I want the game to use the Athlon specs! ( The first option would ensure that, would it not? ).
.
2. My Pll 450 uses windows 98SE and the new computer comes with Windows ME already loaded ( recovery disc only ) Does the fact that two different Windows are running pose any problem?
3. The small print of the new computer says that any third party items fitted into the computer will invalidate the warranty ( 1 years onsite ) . Does fitting a network card amount to that.? I know it shouldn?t in a fair world but what is the reality?

What do you experts recommend?

Thank you for your patience and I can see the smiles at the naiveté of the questions , but I am relatively old ( still beat most of you at golf though- lol ) and I am no techie. It will take all my efforts to set up a networking kit, but I only want to go that route if it?s the right way to go.
Thank you again

 

[obenton]

From one old guy to another: networking is better. Good setup directions at www.homepclan.com, and forum has links to other good sites.
1. When I use the new computer to play flight sims online ... - game uses specs of computer it's run on.
2. Does the fact that two different Windows are running pose any problem? - no problem, except maybe that people have reported ME to be buggy.
3. The small print of the new computer says that any third party items fitted into the computer will invalidate the warranty ( 1 years onsite ) . Does fitting a network card amount to that.? I know it shouldn?t in a fair world but what is the reality? - might well be so, and I wouldn't take the chance. To be safe, don't open the box, but use a USB network adapter - connects to an external USB port. They're not much faster than 10BT, but plenty fast enough for internet gaming and the like.

 

[Davbaron]

Obenton - Thanks for the reply and the answers - I have found out that thefirst option re USB hub and modem is not feasible , so I'm back to networking. Thought I could do it when reading a step by step guide in a national magazine, however, seems there is a snag - I'll show below an e - mail I sent to the magazine which explains it
"I read your home networking article with some interest and anticipation as i am about to buy a second PC . Not being a techie, I was looking to this article to take the fear of networking my present computer with the new one away ; Generally speaking, the excellent piece did this ;however, a question or two has arisen and it seems that although I am writing this to your magazine , you do not have a system where you can answer, ie no forum etc, on this site. You say you do not reply personally so I imagine I shall stay mystified!!
Anyway, the query is - During the article about using a Netgear kit , Step 6 begins - " At some stage you will be asked for your windows CD Rom..." My new system is being bought direct from a large Mail vendor ( NEC ) and there are others - Dell; Evesham; Mesh etc . As I understand it their systems are sold without a windows CD Rom, only a recovery disc, so how is one supposed to be able to network such systems in the way you describe?
And as most second systems are bought via these retailers, I would suggest, is there not a big problem here? One large enough for your magazine to explain to its readers how to get over- if indeed there is a practical solution I
I hope the answer will be that the recovery disc will be able to take the place of the windows CD Rom for this purpose, but if it can't how many readers are going to be sat at home with network kits that cannot be used? "

Is this not a barrier to many doing a home network?. Any ideas how to get over it ? Anyone ?

I don't know if a USB connection would require the windows CD Rom - I expect it would . In any event the USB to USB connection kits which you mentioned are few and far between here in the UK.
.

 

[obenton]

A reliable vendor would always give you an OS CD with the machine. A USB NIC works the same way as a PCI or ISA NIC except that it plugs into a USB connector instead of a PCI or ISA slot - installation and configuration are the same. For good setup instructions go to www.homepclan.com - and it has links to other good sites.

 

[Davbaron]

"A reliable vendor would always give you an OS CD with the machine"

Sorry to disagree, Obenton. Microsoft used to allow the reatiler to give a windowsCD but not any more. All the direct sellers now issue a recovery disc because of microsoft's change of policy. So, does that mean I'm stuck? Seems so.

 

[obenton]

A vendor doesn't need Microsoft's permission to send an OS cd, but Microsoft would expect payment for it, which would of course be passed along to the consumer. Still, it would probably be a little cheaper than buying it retail, assuming the vendor gets a bulk discount and is willing to pass the saving along. To not have a backup for your OS (and all other vendor-installed programs) is asking for long-term aggravations.

 

[perry]

The cab files may come on the CD. I didn't get an OS disc with my Toshiba laptop, but what the recovery disc did was to copy the CAB files over to my hard disc during recovery, and set that directory as the installation directory in the registry. So whenever I would mess around with the networking, the files would already be there on the hard disc.

That could be what NEC is going to do with you computer. When you get the computer, do a little snooping around the HD. Maybe in C:\cabs (that's where toshiba put mine).

But, since the computer will already come with TCP/IP installed so you can get online, if are you just messing with the TCP/IP settings you already have those files that it wants installed. When it asks you where the Windows CD is, click details and you should see the destination folder. (c:\windows or c:\windows\system) Just put that in as the location of CD and you're set until it needs to a file in a different directory.

 

[Toro 45]

Davbaron,your recovery CD will have everything you need on it(just like a regualar Windows CD).Just put it in the CD rom when prompted for the Win98 Disc.
Toro

 

[emjem]

Hey old man, you have another problem. You can't network your 2 computers without a nic (Network Interface Card) in each. Which means, someone is going to have to open up your new PC.

Are you sure you're not getting a nic in your new NEC?

Man, I can't believe that any new PC would ship without a nic installed because without one you can't subscribe to dsl or cable service.

If you need one installed you can have an authorized NEC dealer do it -- but probably at a ridiculous price -- to preserve your warranty. Or................................!

I have a PII 450 running WindowsFE networked with a PIII 800 running WinME -- no OS problems.

 

[Wik]

Many large vendors do not supply the OS on CD. They do however have the cabs installed on the hard drive. When you install something new it will usaully go to the C drive on it's own to get these drivers (depending on the install method) Sometimes the win98 (or win9x in WindowsME) folder is copied to the C: drive and they hold the cabs. Which ever case, they are there. As far as installing NIC cards in the case you do not have to open a computer to get ethernet. There are several nice USB versions out there that don't cost much more then a PCI NIC. I have a SMC USB ethernet adapter I hang on to if I want to network with a friend who does not have a NIC. IF you are only networking 2 computers you won't need a hub, just a crossover cable to conect to the NIC of each computer.

Look here for some good prices on NIC cards or USB adapters. lanmarket

 

[emjem]

Heheheheheh, if you want a usb nic hanging out of your box go for it. I prefer the components inside the box. Matter of personal preference.

I must say though that I was surprised to see a usb nic for 10 bucks. For me it would be over $5 shipping and handling -- still not a bad price for it. But, even tho the money is small in this case, I will never order from a vendor with a 25% restocking fee "for all returns". Plus you pay the shipping cost both ways. That's a rip off.

I think USB nics sell for $35 and up at Buycom.

 

[Wik]

They are a very good company. I have purchased from them several times. I mentioned the USB cards as it sounded like he wanted an easy way to get his computers networked. For some people, the thought of opening the case of their computer, scares the crap out of them. The USB device is a easy way for him to do it. I too rather have mine installed inside but he could get 2 of these and a crossover cable and get his systems networked as easy as installing a printer.