Computer newbies forum: Need Help Connecting two computers together

Tell us first, do both computers have ethernet cards in them? Also, does the Linksys router have at least two ethernet ports that can be plugged into the computer ethernet cards?

Unfortunately, the "cross-over cable is designed for a direct connection between one computer's ethernet card and the other computer's ethernet card but that may not be the best option for you..Technically, it's that simple..Plug in the cross-over cable into both computer ethernet cards, then use the settings to share files and folders on both computers and the they should be able to "see" each other.

ON the other hand, if you want both of the computers to connect easily to the internet, PLUS share files and folders, it's easier to plug each computer into the wireless router IF it has ethernet/RJ-45 ports..IN that case, the cross-over cable is not needed or used.. A standard ethernet cable is used and then the files can be shared from each machine.

Hope this helps and let us know more so we can continue the step by step.

Grif

If you only use your gateway computer to connect to the internet you can leave it as it is.You just need another
ethernet card for the gateway to connect it to the other computer by the cross-over cable.

Obtain two separate (regular) ethernet cables and plug the cables from each computer's ethernet jack to the jack on the back of the router..(Each computer will be connected separately to the router through a standard ethernet cable) It's the easiest way to connect both computers to the internet AND share files at the same time.

Unfortunately, I don't see the operating system listed of your main computer so I'm guessing a little here.

For the network connection, make sure that BOTH computers have "File and Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks" enabled so they can "see" each other.

1. On an Windows XP machine, open the Control Panel, then double click on the "Network Connections", RIGHT click on the "Local Area Network" icon, choose "Properties". On the "General" tab, make sure the "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" is installed and has a CHECK mark in the box next to it. If it doesn't, make it so.

2. On a Win 98/ME computer, (I'm not a Win 98/Me computer so I'm doing this from memory), open the Control Panel, then double click on the "Network" icon. When that loads, on the "Configuration" tab, look in the white network components section and and verify the "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" is installed. If it's not, choose to "Add" that "Service". Also make sure the "Client For Microsoft Networks" is installed.

Once that's done, there are a number of websites which will tell you how to set up your wireless network. Here are just a couple.:

What is the Network Setup Wizard in Windows XP? Do I need to run it?

After you set up the Workgroup/network name on the main XP computer, you then should be able to simply open the Control Panel of the Windows 98 computer, double click on the "Network" icon, choose "Identification" tab,(At least I think it's that on Windows 98) then choose to join the workgroup by typing in the Workgroup name. In order to then "see" all the folders on both computers, you'll need to acess each computer, RIGHT click on the folders you want to share, choose "Sharing" from the menu, then enable sharing for that particular folder.

Hope this helps.

Grif

The XP computer will be the best machine to set up first using my original instructions..ONce you've got the Windows XP set up with a Workgroup name and made sure the "File and Printer Sharing" is installed and CHECKED, then follow the procedures I described earlier to insure that "File and Printer Sharing" are enabled on the Windows 98 machine. ONE MORE THING on that Windows 98 computer..While in the "Control Panel/Network section, click on the "File and Printer Sharing" button and make sure you've got both boxes CHECKED.

Hope this helps and let us know how it goes.

Grif

...with the Windows 98 machine? If there is an ethernet card installed on the machine and it's working correctly, you should be able to connect simply by double clicking on the Internet Explorer icon on your desktop. (The blue "e") In addition, the best place to find whether you have an ethernet card installed is in "Device Manager". On the Win98 computer, RIGHT click on "My Computer", choose "Properties", then click on the "Device Manager" tab, then click on the + sign next to "Network Adapters". If it's there, it will be listed as a "Fast Ethernet Adapter" or something similar.

The shared computers/folders probably won't show up in "My Computer" but will instead show up in the "Network Places" or "My Network Places" icon on the desktop of both computers..(As I mentioned before, you'll need to enable "Client For Microsoft Networks" on both machines to see the "Network Places" icon.

If you have to purchase an ethernet card, (they're quite cheap, about $10), you should be able to install it yourself. Just follow the instructions that come with the card. Here's a link that should help also:

How To Install The Ethernet Card

Hope this helps.

Grif

Hi Grif
I did get the computer connected and they are communicating just find. I did buy a USB Data Link Cable from JetLan to use to connect the two computers and It is working Great. I can move, share and do everything I wanted to do connected to both machines.

Thank You so Much for Your Help and I am so sorry it has taken me so long to reply and let you know how I made out, but the Holidays got in my way.:-)

Anyway, I hope You and Yours have a Wonderful New Year.
All the Best to You.
Butter

Hi Rtist
I took your advice and purchased the USB Data Link Cable. It has worked out just find. I am able to move data around on both machines now.

Thank You Again for this information.
The Cable made it so easy to connect the computers together even for a Newbie like me.

Sorry for taking so long to reply but the Holidays got in the way. Oh, Happy New Year to You and Yours.
Butter

Rtish
Thank You so Much for offening your help to me and If I need some help in the future (and I probably will and I adding you to my email address book. :-)) along with learning what is in my computer I will really be emailing you.

Thank You Again
Butter