Need help connecting two computers together.

[mikysee]

I have one comp running Winxp pro and the other running win98se. They both have ethernet cards and I got a crossover ethernet cable. How do I set up the comps so that I can transfer files between them and make it so that both comps can use the printer when the printer is only connected to one of them. Thanks for any help.

 

[Maggotry]

Turn on file/printer sharing. Go in explorer and designate which directories to share. Make sure the workgroup is the same and the computer names are different. You may have problems sharing the printer between xp and 9x os. You'll need to install a 9x driver on your xp box in addition to the xp driver. Lots of little things to do. Start with this stuff then come back if/when you have more problems.

Edit: You also need to tell your box to share the printer.

 

[mikysee]

I made the drives on both comps to be shared. My winxp system can see the other computer but it cannot access the files. The win98 system cannot seem to see the winxp system.

 

[Howard]

The easiest way to go about this is just to pick up a switch with a print server. A router with built-in switch if you need to share a connection.

If you want to spend the money, why not try the SMC Barricade 7004BR? A router with a built-in 4-port switch and print server, all for under $100.