simple home network two computers?

[Friendly]

:beer:
Hi hopeing I can get some advice. I have two computers at home.
I want to connect them by ICS which is if im right internet connection sharing
I have a cross over cable joining the two puters.
If I am reading right it says that I can only use the internet from the secondary computer when the main computer is on.
While the computer is off the other computer cant use the internet connection.
This doesnt make sense as both computers have their own phone lines as well as being networked, so even if I turn off the main computer, why cant I just use my phone line to access the internet from the other computer.
Hey if it comes down to it and the internet sharing thingy wont allow one of the computers to go on to the internet when the other is turned off then I could just reach down and pull the RJ45 connnection out.
Problem solved.
Should I have to do that though. I am making sense, or do I sound like I have no idea what I am talking about which is probably right.

Any advice please?

 

[JackMDS]

You are mixing few issues together.

If you just want to Network the two computers you do not need ICS. Configure the Network Settings on both computers. Plug the Crossover CAT45 and you are in business.

Doing so you can still access each computer from its own Telephone line.

People who do not have ?many options? like you. I.e. they have only one Cable/DSL Modem and or only one telphone line, need to use ICS.

Log to the following page.

Scroll down, in the middle (yellow hi-lited) you will find info, and links for setting and to sharing Network on the Windows varieties.

Link: Basic Networking

 

[anandfan]

JackMDS is right about getting to the internet. But I wonder if you were really asking how to network 2 computers together to share files, printer,etc ? If you don't want to share resources and if each computer has it's own modem and will do it's own connection, then there is no need to connect the computers with ICS or any other way.

 

[Friendly]

thank you very much. that really cleared things up for me.
we both have our own phone lines so what we really wanted was just to be able to share printer and files. I shoulda made that much clearer.
Really appreciate the help.
This site is amazing.
thanks again.

 

[anandfan]

what we really wanted was just to be able to share printer and files

Great. Simple to do, especially under WinXP. You do NOT run ICS for this. There is a way to do cross-over cable between serial ports. For a few bucks more (very few), you could pick up a couple of NICs (Network Interface Cards) for under $10 each (or often less) at the stores or in the ForSale forum here. For more than 2 computers, gets a little more complicated but not overwhelming. And for several bucks more (~$100 for starter system) you could go wireless!

Post here if you need more help from the pros here! ( I am NOT one of the pros, just stumbling along with the help of JackMDS and others!)

Edit:
Here is a sample of a wireless network you can build today for $90:
CompUSA has DLink 802.11b /22Mbps router for $30 (need 1) and USB Adapters for $30 (need 2). This is not the newer 802.11g (54Mbps), but should do for all but the most extreme needs. (all prices after rebates

)

 

[martind1]

wow.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Originally posted by: Friendly
thank you very much. that really cleared things up for me. we both have our own phone lines so what we really wanted was just to be able to share printer and files. I shoulda made that much clearer. Really appreciate the help. This site is amazing. thanks again.

The best way to accomplish this is two $10 NICs and a crossover cable. I'd just install NETBEUI protocol on both boxes, since it requires no configuration and you don't intend to share Internet.