Two Windows XP home - please help

I am sort of new to networking and need someone's help. What is the best way
to set up two computers running xp home so that they can share internet
access and also printer and file sharing, the more information (tools,
hardware, software) you can give me the better, thanks.

John © bashed at the keyboard and said:
> I am sort of new to networking and need someone's help. What is the
> best way to set up two computers running xp home so that they can
> share internet access and also printer and file sharing, the more
> information (tools, hardware, software) you can give me the better,
> thanks.


How to connect more than one PC to the Internet
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In article <4006f9b7$0$9389$(E-Mail Removed)>, "John
©" (E-Mail Removed) says...
> I am sort of new to networking and need someone's help. What is the best way
> to set up two computers running xp home so that they can share internet
> access and also printer and file sharing, the more information (tools,
> hardware, software) you can give me the better, thanks.
>
>
>
A network card in each PC, and a crossover cat5 cable to join them, is
all you need. Fit the cards, install the drivers and run the network
wizard on the machine with the internet connection. Then set the other
machine to obtain its network settings by DHCP and you're done.

Sorry for asking but how do you set the other
machine to obtain its network settings by DHCP and doing it this way would
both computers have to be powered up, if both computers have to be powered
up what is the best way to set up a network so only one computer has to be
powered up, thanks for your quick response.

"Rob Morley" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) .com...
> In article <4006f9b7$0$9389$(E-Mail Removed)>, "John
> ©" (E-Mail Removed) says...
> > I am sort of new to networking and need someone's help. What is the best
way
> > to set up two computers running xp home so that they can share internet
> > access and also printer and file sharing, the more information (tools,
> > hardware, software) you can give me the better, thanks.
> >
> >
> >
> A network card in each PC, and a crossover cat5 cable to join them, is
> all you need. Fit the cards, install the drivers and run the network
> wizard on the machine with the internet connection. Then set the other
> machine to obtain its network settings by DHCP and you're done.
>

In article <40070466$0$9388$(E-Mail Removed)>, "John
©" (E-Mail Removed) says...
> Sorry for asking but how do you set the other
> machine to obtain its network settings by DHCP

In TCP/IP properties you check the "Obtain an IP address automatically"
(which is the default setting I think).

> and doing it this way would
> both computers have to be powered up,

Yes

> if both computers have to be powered
> up what is the best way to set up a network so only one computer has to be
> powered up, thanks for your quick response.
>
You'd need a router to do that. If you're on cable or DSL the neatest
solution is a combined modem/router/switch. If you already have
broadband with an ethernet connection you can just get a router/switch
combination. Dialup routers aren't generally available any more,
although some broadband routers can take an external backup modem
connection.

Thanks again for a quick reply.

I think I will need to go with the router, I allready have a cable modem, if
I buy a router will there be sufficient instructions on how to set it up or
could you tell me how to set it up and are there any pitfalls I should be
aware of. I heard somewhere whilst googling that you need to set up a mac
address (i think thats what it is) any further advise would be appreciated,
thanks.

In article <4007141c$0$9394$(E-Mail Removed)>, "John
©" (E-Mail Removed) says...
> Thanks again for a quick reply.
>
> I think I will need to go with the router, I allready have a cable modem, if
> I buy a router will there be sufficient instructions on how to set it up or
> could you tell me how to set it up and are there any pitfalls I should be
> aware of.

It's usually pretty simple, and the instructions that come with it
should be enough to get you going.

> I heard somewhere whilst googling that you need to set up a mac
> address (i think thats what it is) any further advise would be appreciated,
> thanks.
>
You may not have to do that, but it's simple enough - basically the MAC
(Media Access Control) address is how the modem knows what PC it's
talking to. As the modem will be talking to the router instead of a PC
you can get the router to pretend that it's the PC by using the PCs MAC
address. You can usually just connect the PC to the router and copy the
address with a few clicks, then plug into the modem and away you go.