Can I share an Internet access with one cable line, a splitter and 2 modems; one laptop, one desktop PC?

Question

I have one cable line, a splitter, two modems, made by different manufacturers, a laptop and a desktop pc. Can I connect to the internet with my laptop, (my desktop is already connected throught the cable line), without having to buy a router or any of the other hardware? Is it possible to connect as if it were the only pc on the line? I don't want to set up a network if I don't have to.

Please explain why you can use a splitter to service cable to two separate tv's but you can't use a splitter to run service to two separate pc's? I'm really just curious. I don't understand this stuff and inquiring minds want to know! LOL

Answer 1

The only way to do it be to set up a network directly to your PC from your laptop and set up Internet Sharing Connection (ISC) on the PC. If you have NICs in both PCs, you set up a direct connection. Here's a couple of links to read about it::

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/wired.mspx

Hope that helped!

Answer 2

This is probably not going to work for you BECAUSE the cable modem has to be set up to work with your cable company and unless you have two seprate accounts with the cable company the two modems are going to cause a problem. You COULD ask your cable company if they would be willing to set up the two seperate modems on your account with seperate ip addresses if you explain to them what you are trying to do.

You may NOT need to go through this whole thing because SOME cable modems allow you to use the ETHERNET port to connect 1 computer and the USB port to connect to connect a second computer. ASK your cable company if that is possible.

All this being said, even though you do not want to do this it may be easier to just buy a router... you can get one for under $20.00 at Newegg.com. Here is the link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833338009

Setup ie a breeze...

Good Luck!

Answer 3

I hope I can answer your question. I have a desktop and a laptop. They both are PC's and they have Internet access. In order for me to get Internet on my laptop I had to call my Internet provider and tell them that I had gotten a laptop, and that I wanted to get wireless Internet. All I had to do was pay once for the router that they sent me and after that month my Internet price was the same as before. By the way in case your wondering what Internet provider I have, I have Verizon. I hope that answered your question.

Answer 4

At least two ways:
(1) Assuming you already networked your two computers (via crossover LAN cable - the cheapest), what you need is ONLY proxy server like FREEPROXY (which is easy to use) you don't have to buy anything, just download a proxy server.

Install proxy server on your desktop (which already connected to the Internet), then configure properly. Then on your laptop, just put on your "connection settings" the IP of your desktop.

(2) Assuming again you already networked your computer, you may follow second link below. This time you don't need proxy server but you connect through ICS.

Personally, I used (1) which is REALLY easy for me connecting my notebook to the Internet through my desktop via USB WIFIs.

Answer 5

You would have to either use a router or put a second NIC in one of the computers and use Internet Connection Sharing.
A router is only $30 and you can even get them at Walmart.

Answer 6

One cable line, One wireless modem/router. Then use wireless card or usb for the PC's and notebook to connect to the wireless modem/router. That's the way to have reliable connections. Otherwise you can have a nightmare. ;-)

Answer 7

The cable won't let you have two connections so no.

You need a router.

Answer 8

you need a wireless router and card.you can hook up your desktop to cable conection and the laptop wireless.

Answer 9

gotta have a router.