really really new to networking

[topweb2000]

OK this is what I have 2 computers one is a desktop running Win ME with a nic card which I plug my cable modem in and the second is a laptop running Win 98se with a pcmcia nic card.
I would like to network them together but not sure what other hardware i need i would like to share files and the internet,i've read i need a hub and a router and...i would like to do it as cheap as I can,i also have winproxy 3 and analogX software(not really sure what to do with it)
I hate to be a newbie and ask all these questions but i've gone to 3 differant computer stores and bought a network for dumbies book and got 4 differant answers
Thank u for reading/helping
Topweb99

 

[TSDible]

Actually.... It would be fairly inexpensive to do what you are asking, and I'm sure that you can find some helpful information in this forum.

All you need is...

1. A second NIC for your WinME system (maybe $15-$20)
2. A cross-over cable to connect the two ($10 max... cheaper if you get someone here to make it for you)

All of the software that you need is built in to WinME. Microsoft ICS (internet connection sharing) works great for most. You will be able to find lots of help and links on setting it up here in the forums. I know that there is one great site, but I can't seem to remember it off hand.

 

[topweb2000]

A crossover cable,can I go to any computerstore(staples,officemax,cc..)and get one?I hate sounding stupid,I built my last 2 computers I help all my friends with there computer problems,yet this networking is driving my crazy..So the crossover cable will do..???I do have a second nic card and i did try to put it in my win ME machine but I couldn't get both nic cards to work at the same time

 

[NascarFool]

My setup is as folows:

3 systems(one is a laptop)

Win98SE on all three. Only one NIC per system. Linksys 5 port hub. I have the three comps connected to the hub and I have a cable modem connected to the uplink port on the hub. I have one computer and a laptop networked and working. I don't network my third comp, as it is only an FTP server. Each system has its own IP assigned by Road Runner Cable. I do not use internet sharing, each comp can connect to the internet at anytime and at the same time as asny of the other comps. No crossover cable is used. No need for multiple NICs.

 

[purplehayes]

What kind of error message(s) did you get when you tried to install both NICs? You'll have to get that configured before you can share with the laptop.

PH

 

[TSDible]

Topweb...

A crossover cable is simply a network cable with a couple of pairs of wires switched around on one end. It allows you to network 2 computers without using a hub. You should be able to pick one up at a local vendor. Don't let them rape you on the price though.

 

[topweb2000]

I didn't get any error messages when I installed both nics just one would work then i would get the other to work then the first one won't work..and so on and so on..I didn't play with it to much because the a guy at staples said there is no way to get a computer to share files and share the internet with 2 nic cards he sais i MUST have a hub,acouse he wanted to sell me one that was over $120.00,so i thought i may have to go elsewhere for help..so I don't need winproxy or analogx?

 

[BustAcap]

You need a hub because you are connecting to your cable modem through your NIC. However, it doesn't cost 120 for a decent hub. BestBuy has great 10BaseT hubs for about 40 dollars or less.
You connect your cable modem to the uplink port, and you connect your computers to the other ports.

 

[TSDible]

Bustacap....

It doesn't work that way... (speaking from experience.) You have to have something running to route the requests properly.

 

[topweb2000]

SO I can't use a crossover cable?this is what i now have.I installed 2 nic cards in the win ME machine and a nic in my laptop and i'm holding a crossover cable ,now what?

 

[TSDible]

You CAN use a crossover cable....

The modem should be going in to one NIC, plug the crossover cable into the other NIC that you installed in WinME.

Connect the other end of the cable to the laptop.

The hardware portion of your network is now complete.

You will need to enable Microsoft ICS on the WinME computer. It will walk you through sharing the internet connection. Be prepared to tell it which NIC your cable modem is hooked up to, and which one is connected to your network (other computer).

The rest is just setting up the software... if you need help, here is a link that I found in these forums. There are a ton of sites like this one... one site is really good for home networking, but I can't remember the address... someone help him out...

Sharing Internet Connection

This is not the best site out there... I will keep looking.

 

[TSDible]

This setup works great for only 2 computers... I used it for quite some time myself. If you have specific questions, please feel free to drop me an email.

If you want to add more computers in the future, you just take out the crossover cable and replace it with regular cables and a hub. That simple.

Good Luck in this one. I hope those sites help a bit.

 

[topweb2000]

WOW..I mean WOW...This is the greatest forum on the net I'm going to try this,I need to say thanks to EVERYONE that helped me,i can't believe with all the questions i had to ask and no one flamed me or got rude.
I hope this works and thanks again for taking time out to help a newbie like myself

 

[TSDible]

Of course.... we are glad to help...

 

[purplehayes]

We're all lacking in some areas. No one here answers all of the questions in all of the forums.

PH

 

[Alysia]

Here is another helpful site for simple networking explainations although I didn't see the crossover cable method.
CableSense

 

[Bleep]

Alysia:
Your link does not work.
Bleep

 

[Alysia]

HomePCLAN
CableSense
Sorry, Here it is again and another good one.