Absolute beginner. How do i set up a network?

Question

Please can someone tell me in plain english how to connect 2 pcs.

One will be upstairs and one downstairs.

what will I need to buy in order to run a fast connection on both? Please list everything i wil need.

I have cable broadband from ntl if that makes a difference.

thankyou =)

Answer 1

alright, you'll need a switch, and three pieces of cat5e cable which will run from your switch to your pc downstairs, one would go from your switch to your pc upstairs, and the last one will connect your cable broadband modem to your switch. Now you have to make sure that the modem that you are using dials by itself to connect or requires the computer to dial in order to connect, the layout that i have give you is for modem that dials by itself. Once all the cables are in place, run home networking wizard on both of your pcs.

if you broadband modem needs a pc to dial for it, then you'll need to either replace the broadband modem, or keep one pc (which will be connected to the modem directly) ON everytime and connect the other PC to this one with one long cat5e cable.

If network wizard doesn't work the way it should, just go to my computer's properties and make sure that both computers have same workgroup name, and go to your lan card's properties and in the properties of tcp/ip, add the following ip addresses

1st pc
IP: 192.168.1.1
subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

2nd pc
IP: 192.168.1.2
subnet mask 255.255.255.0

if you can't find tcp/ip in it, click Install > Protocol > TCP/IP

Answer 2

I suggest saving yourself a huge headache and calling your cable company to come set up a router for you.

If there isn't an cable running rear both PCs, you probably want to go wireless.

Answer 3

Buy a router. Then buy enogh cable to go from the modem to the router then enogh cable to go from the router to one of the computers. Then enough cable to go from the router to the other computer.