How do I connect 2 computers on a network in my house so that we can use the same files and printer?

Question

I am trying to connect my two computers so that we can use them together on a network. I am using network wizard on one but I just can't get them to connect. If someone could help, it would be greatly appr3eciated. If you have step by step that would be even better. Thanks.

Answer 1

You do not indicate if you have an Internet source, if you want all pcs to connect to an Internet source, or what you currently have.

I am going to assume you have an Internet source (either DSL or Cable Internet service) with an ethernet feed - and a dynamic IP address (not a static IP).

If you do not have a router, you will need a router. Because you have only 2 pcs it is probably wise to purchase a router that has more than one LAN port and this way you avoid purchasing a network switch. You can also get a wireless router if you do not want to run cables to the various pcs.

You will connect the router WAN port to the modem feed. You will connect the pcs via wired CAT5 cable to the LAN ports of the router.

Per the router's manual, you will configure the router WAN port for a dynamic IP address. You will configure the router to provide private IP addreses to the LAN pcs via DHCP as described in the manual.

You set each pc's LAN port to obtain IP addresses automatically (the router manual will describe how to do this).

After all this is done, shut down modem, router, and pcs. After being down for at least 0.5 minute, turn on modem. About 1.0 minute or longer after that turn on the router. About 1.0 minute or longer after that turn on pcs. You should be able to access public web pages from each pc at this point. If you cannot, there is a configuration error and you will need to describe what you did and what the problem is in another Yahoo question.

Assuming all works, now you need to designate which files you want to share on your network. Open Windows explorer (right click start, select explore). In Windows Explorer, highlight the folder you want to share on the LAN and right click on it. Select Sharing and follow the prompts. Do this on both pcs.

Once this is done you should be able to see from pc # 1, the shared files of pc # 2 using Windows Explorer; similarly on pc # 2 you should see shared files of pc # 1.

Finally, if you wish to use the wireless config and avoid running some cables, you need a wireless router. You still configure the LAN and WAN as above with a wired connection. You then need to activate the wireless capability and invoke security fully or hackers will find you. Finally, yoiu need wireless network ports on each pc that will access wirelessly and they need be configured to mate with the router's wireless config. BEFORE you activate wireless, make sure wired connections work and always configure the router using a wired connection. Also be sure to implement all the security your router provides (WPA encryption if it is availble using a very sophisticated preshare key, WEP otherwise and MAC address validation).

If you have no internet source, you can assign static LAN IP and use a cross cat 5 cable to swap files. You cannot access the internet this way but this is a lot cheaper. If you wish to do this, you assign static rather than dynamic LAN IP for the lan connectors and they must be in the same subnet.

Answer 2

connect the LAN output from the ADSL modem to no longer a working laptop or computing gadget yet quite to a router. the router is a change that we could a team of computers share the records from the internet. It additionally makes up a team of fictitious addresses so as that in case you have 3 computers the outdoors international in basic terms sees one million address (that of the router) yet all of the three computers gets man or woman info from the router. in case you want to do it at the cheap then get a under pressure out router and run a LAN cable to all of the computers. in case you want to spend a sprint extra and get it much less complicated the get a on the spot router and a card for each computing gadget. Then an analogous issues ensue with out any wires and additionally you may use the computers at desks, interior the outdoors , or everywhere else around the domicile. you do no longer might desire to pay the ISP extra because of the fact all of the ISP sees is the only address for the router. record sharing after it quite is merely clicking on disk properties and permitting "share records"

Answer 3

You need a ROUTER/SWITCH which can be purchased at any computer store for about $50. Connect the MODEM to the WAN port and the computers to the LAN ports.

Most printers have to be connected to a computer to be shared but some have their own Ethernet connections and can be connected right to the switch. A printer connected to a computer will have to be shared and then connected to from the other computer(s).

Make sure ALL computers in your LAN are in the same WORKGROUP... Control Panel... System... Computer Name.

Answer 4

You will need a floppy disk,router, switch, or crossover cable. Along with any other of the cat 5 cables to connect them to a router or switch. Then run network wizard on the main computer and select to create a network setup floppy disk. Insert this disk into the other computer and run the setup file on it.

Answer 5

You would have to route this through your router. If your not using a router then you would need to describe what you have available. If your going to share a printer then you have to make it sharable through windows. A program that is only $30.00 makes it pretty easy. NetworkMagic.com is a good place to see the software. I am not sure what your running so if you could re-post with what equipment you have it may be a little easier.

Answer 6

you have to buy a wireless router download the software