Network help: Can I link a 6 yr old win98 to my newer xp computer?

Question

I have a 6 yr old gateway I put a network card in for dsl, but it's too small/too slow for the work I'm doing; has 64memory, 20 gig hd ... my newer Dell Dimension 1100 runs win xp and has 1 gig memory, 40 gig hd...my question is, is there a way to connect them that I can then access my software and additional things I have on the old Gateway? What do I need to do that, if it's even possible? Or can I put the hd from the old computer into an extra spot in the Dell? help, please?

I do know I'm asking a stupid question! I know how to run one, just not how to link them...thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Yes you can network your old comp to your new comp and net work them it is quite easy with windows XP. within windows XP there is a help on how to do this
but to start you off you will need a Ethernet card for each computer and a cross over RJ45 Ethernet cable. after these are installed start your XP comp and go to start control panel click on network and Internet connection and click on network setup wizard, you will need a floppy disk for this because it writes a driver file to the floppy disk then you place the floppy disk into your old computer.
make sure the two computers a connected.

follow the instruction in the windows XP networking help
you can not run XP programs on your old computer but you can see your files on the xp computer. and bring data into xp office and transfer files between the old compter and the new compter
hope this helps you

Answer 2

Linking them is easy, if you have a router/switch/hub. If you already got DSL, you *may* have a router. If not, get one. Makes the rest much easier.

Basically, plug both into the ports behind the router (it's also a switch) and then on Win98, go to network, add network card (though it sounds like you already did that), add Microsoft Networking, and specify a unique workgroup name. Do the same on the XP machine (probably done by default). Then start browsing network neighborhoods, and hopefully it'll show up.

If not... tell us how far you got and we'll try to troubleshoot. :)

Answer 3

I have no idea and I would be really careful. I do know however that your question can be answered by those who do just this sort of thing on www.anonymous.org
I do not think there is a computer question/answer on the planet that they cannot answer or fix. God knows they have helped me and thousands of others with every imaginable computer question and problem. Just go to the site, register and post your question. You will get an answer and a solution. The lady, Carol J who helped me has over 28,000 postings in helping people and I dare say there is nothing she does not know about this stuff. If she picks up on your question/posting, you got it made.