newb, Do I need a router?

I have a desktop pc, W XP home sp2, no wireless card.
I am getting a laptop, W XP home with a wireless LAN card.
Do I have to get a router to connect them ( I know nothing) ? or would a USB adapter fitted to the
desktop machine work ad hoc ?
Is there a way of networking them using the USB ports ?

--
John Carruthers
http://mysite.freeserve.com/jc_atm/

If you are looking to share a high speed internet connection between the two
machines, a wireless router would be the best way to go. The wireless router
will have "wired" connectors as well, so if you locate it near the desktop
machine, you could just plug an Ethernet cable from the router to that
machine's NIC. Your laptop can connect wirelessly. Just make sure what your
wireless lan card is : usually B, G, or A, and get the appropriate router


"John Carruthers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:dt7blg$tph$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have a desktop pc, W XP home sp2, no wireless card.
> I am getting a laptop, W XP home with a wireless LAN card.
> Do I have to get a router to connect them ( I know nothing) ? or would a
> USB adapter fitted to the desktop machine work ad hoc ?
> Is there a way of networking them using the USB ports ?
>
> --
> John Carruthers
> http://mysite.freeserve.com/jc_atm/
>

Thanks RBM, can't really afford/justify a router yet. For a start I'll try a USB/ethernet dongle on
the laptop and hardwire them together :-(

--
John Carruthers
http://mysite.freeserve.com/jc_atm/
"RBM" <rbm2(remove this)@optonline.net> wrote in message news:E1MJf.32$(E-Mail Removed)...
> If you are looking to share a high speed internet connection between the two machines, a wireless
> router would be the best way to go. The wireless router will have "wired" connectors as well, so
> if you locate it near the desktop machine, you could just plug an Ethernet cable from the router
> to that machine's NIC. Your laptop can connect wirelessly. Just make sure what your wireless lan
> card is : usually B, G, or A, and get the appropriate router
>
>
> "John Carruthers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:dt7blg$tph$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>I have a desktop pc, W XP home sp2, no wireless card.
>> I am getting a laptop, W XP home with a wireless LAN card.
>> Do I have to get a router to connect them ( I know nothing) ? or would a USB adapter fitted to
>> the desktop machine work ad hoc ?
>> Is there a way of networking them using the USB ports ?
>>
>> --
>> John Carruthers
>> http://mysite.freeserve.com/jc_atm/
>>
>
>

John Carruthers wrote:

> Thanks RBM, can't really afford/justify a router yet. For a start I'll try a USB/ethernet dongle on
> the laptop and hardwire them together :-(
>
I've bought new routers at Fry's for as little as 8 bucks. It's hard
to understand how you can afford a computer if you can't afford that.

--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form che...@prodigy.net.

Ahh, therein lies a tale ;-) Being on disability benefits (UK) has few benefits...but this is one.
I'm doing a BSc and can't sit at the desktop any longer so the Open University disability section
have approved my grant for equipment. If I'd thought about it I may have got my assessor to write
one in. Cheapest routers I can find over here (discounting eBay) are between £35-70. and that's
without 17%VAT (I'm exempt on medical essentials).

--
John Carruthers
http://mysite.freeserve.com/jc_atm/
"CJT" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> John Carruthers wrote:
>
>> Thanks RBM, can't really afford/justify a router yet. For a start I'll try a USB/ethernet dongle
>> on the laptop and hardwire them together :-(
>>
> I've bought new routers at Fry's for as little as 8 bucks. It's hard
> to understand how you can afford a computer if you can't afford that.
>
> --
> The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
> minimize spam. Our true address is of the form che...@prodigy.net.

John Carruthers wrote:

> Ahh, therein lies a tale ;-) Being on disability benefits (UK) has few benefits...but this is one.
> I'm doing a BSc and can't sit at the desktop any longer so the Open University disability section
> have approved my grant for equipment. If I'd thought about it I may have got my assessor to write
> one in. Cheapest routers I can find over here (discounting eBay) are between £35-70. and that's
> without 17%VAT (I'm exempt on medical essentials).
>

Sorry about that. On this side of the pond, used ones are often
available for about 20 dollars; perhaps that's an option. Routers
are very useful items.

--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form che...@prodigy.net.