Networking/Printer moron needs some help with networking a printer (go figure)

[ripthesystem]

Ok here's the situation (quick version):

My parents now have 2 PC's and 1 printer. The goal is to get both PC's printing on the same printer but not sharing files.

PC #1 is running WinME and uses a 56k modem to hit the internet. There is no NIC card but I could install one.

PC#2 is running WinXP and has a NIC card but doesn't use the internet at all and doesn't want to.

Right now the printer is attached to PC#2 and if it could stay that way it would be best.
I've never set up a network before or networked printers and I don't have much time to play around with it but I have a much better chance of getting it setup then they do so I figured I would ask for help here.

I know this is very simple and doesn't require a router or anything but I have no idea how to adjust Windows on either machine to achieve this. I've searched this forum and the Google and I can't find anything basic enough to help. Most people want to share internet and files and that's not what I want.

Can anyone walk me through it or point me to someplace that could?
Thanks in Advance!!!

 

[classy]

Install the nic get a cross over cable to connect the two together. Go to the printer and faxes on the startup menu. Right click on the printer, select sharing and share out the printer. Both will be able to use the printer, but the XP machine has to be on because it will function as a print server. On the ME machine go to the control panel select printers. Follow the setup to add a network printer, it will walk you through it, you'll see the printer from the xp machine, you'll add that and your done.

 

[ripthesystem]

thanks! that does sound pretty easy. Is a crossover cable in this case just a length of Cat5? or is it a special cable?

 

[ripthesystem]

Ok, I found THIS CROSSOVER CABLE at Newegg. Is that what you're talking about? What's the dif between that and standard patch/Cat5 type cable?

thx again!