how do i connect two laptop computers on an ethernet network?

Question

i am running windows xp home and i want to connect the two with an ethernet cable i have plugged the cable from one laptop to the other but i does not work how do i do this

do ineed a router or can i just plug an ethernet cable directly from one laptop to the other?

can i share a dial up connection and also share files?

Answer 1

Ok, your life would be alot easier if you just purchased a router, but if you refuse and want to do it the hard way here is the jist of it.

First you need to connect a crossover ethernet cable between the two computers, not a straight thru. Ask at your local computer store for a crossover cable.

Then on computer #1 (the one with the modem you want to share) you will need to manually set the IP address and subnet mask.
Something like IP address: 192.168.0.100 and subnet: 255.255.255.0

On computer #2 set the IP address to 192.169.0.110 and subnet 255.255.255.0

On both computers set the workgroup name to something you want to name your network. Make the name the same on both computers.

Run the network wizard, found in control panel, and answer the questions. Turn on internet sharing on computer #1. Turn on file and printer sharing on both computers and then on both computers make sure you place the two IP addresses mentioned above in your trusted zone.

That should do it.

Answer 2

Is the cable a crossover? If not, then that's the problem. Also, try the running the home networking wizard and create a single Workgroup for both machines. A router is unnecessary for just two machines.

Answer 3

You can connect the two together without a network switch or a switch router combination.

You will need an Ethernet Cross Cable.

Because you do not have a DHCP device, set the network connectors of each pc to have a static ip on the same subnet. I suggest that you set pc #1 with static ip 192.168.1.10, subnet mask 255.255.255.0, default gateway 192.168.1.10 and do not worry about the static DNS. On pc 2, set it with static ip 192.168.1.20, subnet mask 255.255.255.0, default gateway 192.168.1.10. After closing out of network connections reboot both pcs.

Open command prompt on pc # (start - run - type in cmd and press enter). Enter ping 192.168.1.20 and enter - you should receive 4 successful ping responses; this means the connection is successful.

You will need to enable network sharing to see folders of pc 2 on pc 1 (and vice versa). Open Windows Explorer (right click Start, click on Explore from pop up). Right click the folder you wish to share, select sharing and security and follow the prompts to enable network sharing. After this is done you should be able to see in Windows Explorer on pc 1 the share folders of pc 2 and vice versa. You can copy files and folders with Windows Explorer.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Connect both of them and run the Network Setup Wizard... tell it it's a Peer-to-Peer (Ad Hoc) Network. Follow the on screen directions and at the end make sure to say Yes to File/Printer Sharing. On the laptop, you're gonna have to enable ICS (internet connection sharing) so the PC can use the DSL.

Answer 5

Router would me the best choice. The BT Homehub for example has two ethernet connections and various devices can be added via wireless. I have the BT Homehub and currently have all my computers (3) networked to share information such as media and the internet connection.

Answer 6

first off all you need a cross over cable! then you need to setup a ip address on bothe computer by going to contol panel - network connection - local area connection, properties - internet protocal tcp/ip and enter a ip address.

laptop 1 -
IP address - 192.168.1.10
subnet - 255.255.255.0

laptop 2 -
IP address - 192.168.1.11
subnet - 255.255.255.0

now you need to share a folder on the laptop you want to copy file from, do this by righting the folder and got to sharing and security!

then tick box share this folder on the network, and tick allow user to change my files; add a name in sharing name
and then click apply and ok

now go to the other laptop and right click on my computer and click map a drive!

thype in the ip address of the other compuer and the sharing name e.g. \\192.168.1.10\share and click ok and the network drive will appear in my computer

Answer 7

I got a free laptop from this site, I highly recommend it!

Answer 8

I'm going to say... maybe a router?