I have 2 Windows XP machines, how do I create a PC-to-PC network with an ethernet cable?

Answer 1

A PC-PC network with windows xp is easy. Both computers have to have NIC cards installed and you will need an a cable called a crossover cable. Dont use a roll over cable as one poster stated if you can even find one it will not work because of the wire configuration. Go to shorcut to network connections then click on create a new connection and off you go!

Answer 2

3 simple steps:

1. Purchase a 4 or 6 port "ethernet switch" at Walmart, Best Buy, or where ever - approximate cost $25. This is a box about the size of a paperback book with a power cord and 4 or 6 "ports" to plug in ethernet cables.

2. You will need 2 ethernet cables which you can also purchase at Walmart, or wherever. $5-$10 each cable, depending on length.

3. Plug in the switch. Connect the network card on the back of the PC to one of the ports on the switch. Do the same for the second computer. Flashing lights on the switch above each "port" means that the switch is indeed seeing your network card on the PC.

Now your computers are physically connected together.

Answer 3

There are 2 kinds of ethernet cables. If you have a cable (who's name escapes me)(im just going to call it a normal cable) then you have to have a router. The upside to this is this is the only way you will be able to have both on the net at the same time. Broadband internet plugs into the up link on the router and the computers plug into slots 1 and 2. easy right? If you don't need them on the net you just need them to share files/printers then all you need is what is called a crossover cable. This simply goes from one computer to the other in the Ethernet slots. (if you don't have one on a computer buy a Ethernet card) On both ways they should see each other and automatically connect to each other. If they don't there is a network setup wizard in control panel


edit-the guy above me is correct. This is the network setup wizard. Except instead of using a floppy consider using a flashdrive, CD, or something on that line. If your computer even has a floppy drive anymore you might have noticed that it runs slow. Windows XP has issues with floppy disks thats why companies dont put them in anymore. Your computer will probably lock up/crash if you try to use a floppy. (normaly not crash but mine did once)

Answer 4

if you want to internet share you need a crossover cable.
plug the cable into both the computers lan ports.
Then run the network setup wizard on both computers follow on screen instructions. no need for any disk at all. One that connects to the internet is the host the other will share the connection. if you dont have a crossover cable you can only share files and folders and not the internet

Answer 5

You can use a router or a hub. But if you do a PC to PC, I think you need a crossover ethernet cable.

Answer 6

geeksquad- he could also just use a rollover cable.