Home Networking for Dummies Question

[RC159]

I know nothing about networking so here's a couple simple questions. Some of these questions I have found half the answer . so here it goes.
1)Can I take 2 nic's(one in each PC) and network them together? Can they be any nic's, like a netgear,D-link(thats what I have laying around)and if I hook them together do I use the software that comes with 98SE? From what I have read I believe I have to play with some settings in network nieghborhood. Can somebody lead me in the right direction on this.
2)From what I have read I have to use a cat5 crossover cable to make this work. Is this correct? I have a network cable that says "CAT 5E" on it.Is this a crossover cable? One last question. I have a ISA Intel PRO 985 nic( i think thats the number)
I could find no info on it. Can somebody tell if this card will work with what I want to do? I checked at Intel, they had no info on the card.
Thanks in advance for answering my dumb questions.

 

[ojai00]

1. Hey RC159. You are correct about networking two computers. Just connect the crossover cable to both NICs. I think you have to install NETBEUI and TCP/IP and File and Printer Sharing. This will only work if you want to share files and play LAN games.

2. As for the cable, CAT5e is just a category of cables. There is CAT5e, CAT5, etc. You just have to look at the arrangement of wires on the cable. Just take the jack and hold it so that it faces you, and the thing that you push down (sorry...don't know what the name is 😛) is on the bottom. Patch cable shows Orange-white/Orange, Green-white/Blue, Blue-white/Green, Brown-white/Brown. Crossover has brown first...but I'm not too sure on this. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

3. You should be able to network with any NIC.

Hope this helps.

 

[JackMDS]

In general, you are on the right track.

1. You need specifically CAT5 (or CAT5e) that is Crossover (you can find one in most computer stores).

2. You can use any NIC they don?t have to be the same (you can find new fast cards for $5-10, or free with MIR), don?t bother with an old Intel.
The cards come with Drivers install them.

3. You have to setup the Network (all the software is part of Win98SE).

Here you can find setup info:

Network Setup for Win98se.

Once you do the above check and set the following:

Sharing:
Assuming that your hardware is functioning, and you are using the correct type of CAT5 cables.

All computers can have one, two, or three, of the following Network Protocols:

1. TCP/IP - must be installed for Internet
2. NetBEUI ? simple, no IP scheme, Internet safe (recommended as Default Protocol).
3. IPX/PX ? needed for some LAN games.

The three can reside together BUT - All computers must have the same Default Protocol..

All used Protocols are bound to the Ethernet Card.

All computers have the same Workgroup name.

Each computer has it own unique name.

Sharing setting in Win98!!!

You will not see a Computer in the Network Neighborhood, unless it shares something.

Make sure that you Logon as Client for Microsoft Network.

There are three places to be checked for sharing:

The first two are in Control Panel, Network.

1. The Protocol that you are using for sharing, has to be bound to Client for Microsoft Network, and Sharing is Checked in the protocol's properties menu.

2. The general File and Print Sharing has to be installed, and checked.

The third in "My Computer" folder.

3. Individual Drive or/and printer has to be checked for sharing.
Right click on the device to share, choose properties, click on the sharing Tab, check Shared As, and give it a name.

For printer:

Click My Computer, click on Printers, right click on the printer that you want to share, click on Properties, choose the Sharing tab, checked share, give it a name.

Important: The Shared Printer Drivers has to be installed on all computers that use this printer.

 

[RC159]

Thanks ojai00 and JackMDS for the info! Sounds like fun 🙂