I want to be able to use two computers on the net,but I dont want to go wireless.Whats the best way to do it?

Question

Names of the equipment I need would be of help eg makes etc so I can look on ebay

Answer 1

I suggest you use an Ethernet over Power adapter like: Netcomm NP285

You get two of them, your router plugs into adapter number one, adapter one plugs into your power point, transfers the data over your power circuit to adapter two, which in turn plugs into your second pc. Thus it creates a network without extra cables, but also without going wireless. Very safe and very simple!

(This is assuming you want the two computers to be in different rooms, otherwise just get a router like the first answer suggested and plug both of your pc's into the router and the router into your modem. This effectively splits the internet connection between the two pc's...)

Oh, and I wouldn't suggest using your USB for sharing an internet connection. I used to do this and it really sucks. First of all it is slower, and secondly it can cause lots of problems with your connection (eg sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't)...

Answer 2

You can use:

1. ICS--Internet Connection Sharing

2. A Hub

3. A Router

With ICS one computer accesses the Internet via the other, and the one which it is accessed through needs two adapters and in order for the other to connect through it it has to be booted up. It is the least favorite method of connection sharing, but is the least expensive, you only need another adapter in the connection sharing host.

With a Hub, you hook the Hub to your Gateway or DSL Modem, then use cables to hook each computer to the Hub. Both share the bandwidth and it is a slower connection, but all you need is the Hub, which is very inexpensive and cables. If you have 100MB of bandwidth, each shares 50MB, but one computer does not need to be booted up for it to work for the other.

With a Router, the best option, you can configure Security, use Wireless if you choose and each connection has more bandwidth. You purchase an adapter for each computer, either Wireless or Wired NIC card, and install them. Computers usually come with a NIC card preinstalled.

For a NIC card simply plug a cable into the computer card, then into a slot on the Router. For Wireless purchase a Wireless Adapter, install it, then configure the Routers securtiy.

These days there is Connect Now technology which enables the use of a USB Configuration utility, which you configure once and then plug into each peice of hardware and it does all the configuration for you. You then save this thumb drive and use it to connect new devices to the network.

There is a great book on Vista called Vista Inside Out, by Ed Bott and two others which details all you need to know about networks.

If you are using WinXP, get this book:

Absolute Begginer's Guide for Networking, by Mark Edward Soper. It provides all the information you need. Or, you can get the Inside Out book for Windows XP, also by Ed Bott and those others.

Hope this helps, good luck and have a nice day.

Answer 3

Setting up a network has become easier over the past couple of years, with automated software installation largely eliminating the need for geek-level skills. On the hardware side, add-in cards are still the norm for most networks; but USB options are available for people who don't want to perform PC surgery. On laptop PCs, hardware installation is as simple as sliding in a PC Card. And even doing that may not be necessary. Many contemporary laptops are equipped with built-in network connections, and some of the newest have wireless network capabilities.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,68763-page,1/article.html

Answer 4

to be honest, it probably would be easier going wireless, even though you said you dont want to. But, if you want to go on a wired network you will need...:

1) a router. This will be attached to the phone line to get the internet connection. i would recomend a belkin router, or a netgear one. netgear are probably more difficult to use than belkin, i hav found from experience.

2) The correct wires. to find out which you would need, you will need to wait until you hav bought your router. They can be bought from elctronic stores, such as maplin, large B&Q chains or any computer shop.

3) network cards for your other PC's on the network, if they dont already have them. Make sure they have wired network slots, ie. holes in the cards for wires to go into :P try to get them the same make as your router, so belkin or net gear i would recomend.

4) IMPORTANT: try to get router and all network cards the same speed.

alos, you can buy kits, with two or 3 or more network cards and a router and wires from places like PC world, maplin or other computer shops. This would probably be cheaper and easier to set up

Answer 5

hey! u connect to the internet (how?) dsl? router? modem?..if uve got a router be a big thumbs up if u got one lol.. look at the ports if uve got two enthernet go 2 or if uve got en/net 2 one in then its usb go there 2 pcs online!

Answer 6

Buy a wired router, this allows connection sharing.

Answer 7

You need a router... Netgear, D-Link, Lynksys, there are a bunch of manufacturers.