Preserved Topic: Is it tough to network?

I was thinking I would like to network my newer PC with my older one, but have no idea what it takes to do that. Please keep in mind with your answers that the only hardware operations I have performed to date are installing new RAM chips.

Oh...
I don't know if it makes a difference, but one is Win/98 and the other is Win/95.

Thanks

- Resolutions, Of All My Fruitless Searches -

I never had any big problems (I haven't tried with win 95)

All you should need is a hub and a couple lengths of Network cable from your local computer store. Connect the cable from your Network card to the hub on both computers.

Now here's the tricky part, if you are using the Nic (Network Card) for your internet connections you may hose your connection by changing these settings so this isn't recommended

first right-click on your Network Neighborhood icon and select "properties"
in that list you want to make sure that you have "Client for Microsoft Networks" and "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks"

If you don't you can add these. In Win 98 I believe there is a button that says "File and Printer Sharing" Clicking this should give you the option to enable these. Win 95 may not be as easy. You may need to click the "Add" button, select Client" and then go through to select Client for Microsoft NEtworks" the same process for File and Printer Sharing only I believe it's a service.

Once these are added DONT reboot right away. Instead select the "Identification" tab. (Again if you are using the Nic for your internet access don't do this) in there you can name the computers anything you like. then give them both the same workgroup.

Now reboot and the 2 computers should be able to see each other.


Walking the Earth like Kane

Hub is the way. You will need to install NetBEUI protocol. Make sure you share your hard drives so you can see them on each computer.

Do you have a dial up internet connection or broadband???

Bitdamaged

Thanks for the detailed instructions, that's great, and I appreciate it!

I have a dial-up connection, and I know this is probably a very stupid question..... but do I definitely have a network card on my computer, or how do I tell if I do or not.

Also, If I network the two computers, is it a long operation to transfer stuff from one hard drive to the other?

Any suggestions as to what type and kind of hub to buy?

- Resolutions, Of All My Fruitless Searches -

If you have a dial up connection you have a modem and not a network card. You'll have to buy two in order to make use of the hub. I'm not sure how to do a home network with a modem since modems and ethernet cards do not get along with each other.

The transfer rate depends on what type of ethernet protocol you use. Regular ethernet usually runs at about 10 MB/s and fast ethernet at 100 MB/s. However, that's only between your computers. Transferring to and from the internet will go as fast as your modem will allow.

[offtopic: tech support true story] I once had a girl whose computer had a video card/modem combo. Strange, I know, but some companies will cut corners anywhere. Anyway, the only way she could get onto the network was to buy a new video card (we provided the ethernet card for free).
Since I'm in a storytelling mood, I even had this one lady who was having problems getting her disk out of one of our machines, and when I went to help her, I found out that she'd physically removed the magnetic disk (3.5") from the plastic case and inserted it into the machine. I was surprised it worked at all.

Nic's are optional so you might not. If you have one you'll have a port in the back that will look exactly like a phone connection only a little wider. (It also will not have an output that goes back to your phone.

you do not necessarily need a hub for only 2 computers. You can supposed ly network the 2 via a serial port cable though I am not familiar with this method.

basic 10/100 PCI Network cards are really cheap (4$ @ www.pricewatch.com) you can also get a USB Nic if you don't have a PCI or ISA slot free. I got a cheap generic 8 port hub once and ran 3 computers off of one cable modem with nary a problem

Note I've had problems with PCI Nics stealing resources so I've used an ISA card forever.


Walking the Earth like Kane

Yea i have super fast ethernet cardz, im using NetGear FA310TX and we have 3 computers networked in our house. oh btw, if youre CAT5'ing your PC's together, beware, and dont bend the cord too much -i learned the hard way 8 hours installing cable 3 times thru a hot dusty attic *uGh*