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Topic: Networking without a router.....? |
Mark Krutke
From:
Tomahawk, WI USA
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Posted 12 Apr 2004 2:20 pm |
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Hi guys,
Is it possible to network from my PC to my laptop without a router, but just a usb cable, and a download off of CNET or something?  I'm trying to go as inexpensive as I can and was hoping there'd be something like this. I appreciate any help.
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www.authenticrecording.com |
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Carter York
From:
Austin, TX [Windsor Park]
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Posted 12 Apr 2004 2:41 pm
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"No"
I think the cheapest option is to set up your pc to "Share" it's internet connection. You would then connect your laptop to the PC using a "Cross-Over" Cat-5 cable via each computer's network card. (assuming both have them). The Crossover is different from the "Straight" Cat-5 cable in that you don't need a router or hub to connect the two machines.
Carter |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 12 Apr 2004 5:18 pm
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| For Carter's solution, you would need two network cards in the main computer. One to access the Internet and the other to connect to the laptop. With a router, you only need one card per computer, plus most routers these days have built in firewalls, which are worth the money. I only have one computer, but still use a router just for that purpose. |
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Michael Holland
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 12 Apr 2004 6:03 pm
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Hi Mark,
I don't think you can do it via USB. I networked my desktop and laptop recently as you describe using ethernet. I installed a 'pull' NIC card that I picked up at the computer show for $4 and bought a 'crossover' cable on ebay for under $8 (the Toshiba laptop has a built in ethernet connector). Just set up each device in XP, share the drives and you're ready to move files back and forth from PC to laptop. |
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Jeff Agnew
From:
Dallas, TX
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Posted 13 Apr 2004 3:54 am
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All of the above solutions require two Ehternet cards. You can find off-brand cards dirt cheap these days (and that's what they're worth, BTW). But if you simply want to transfer files between machines instead of actually sharing the Internet connection...
A cheaper way is to establish a Direct Cable Connection between your PCs. The software is built in to your PC. You'll need a parallel cable, which you may already own if you have a printer connected. You didn't mention which version of Windows you're using; the actual steps for each are different.
Try Start>Accessories>Communication>Direct Cable Connection. If it's not there, you can add it:
- Open the Add/Remove Programs control panel.
- Click the Windows Setup tab.
- Locate the Communications category in the list.
- Click the Details button.
- Select Direct Cable Connection, then click OK.
Again, the actual steps and locations vary depending on your OS version.
You'll also need to share a folder on each PC. Once you do, you'll be able to use the Network Neighborhood to view or copy the files between PCs. |
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Mark Krutke
From:
Tomahawk, WI USA
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Posted 13 Apr 2004 5:57 am
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| I have xp on my main computer, and then Windows 2000 Professional on my laptop. |
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John Bresler R.I.P.
From:
Thornton, Colorado
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Posted 13 Apr 2004 7:36 am
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I used to work for a company located in Pleasanton, CA. (TUT Systems) who manufactured PC cards that allowed you to home network PC's via the telephone wire in your home. We OEM'd the cards for vendors who sold them at computer outlets, but don't remember the brands. I was the lab manager and tested these products which worked very good. One PC was set up as the Internet server and the other pc's could share the internet connection. The home networking speed was advertised as 1 mbps but actual throughput was in the neighborhood of 800 kbps.
The originals were designed for Windows 95/98. I don't know if this equipment is still available but it might be worthwhile to do a web search for home networking equipment.
My .02c worth.
JB  |
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Dennis Wood
From:
Savannah, TN USA
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Posted 13 Apr 2004 1:33 pm
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I tried just about everthing before finally buying a dsl/cable router from wal-mart for around $40 bucks. Its fast, reliable, and shares my cable modem internet connection on my xp and win98 machines. you will need a network card in each computer. just my .02
dw
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Sierra U-12 Crown Gearless, Peavey Nashville 400,
1971 Fender Twin Reverb,
Peavey Tubefex,
Peavey Stereo 212,
Peavey TT Bandit w/ex speaker. Regal Reso, Tele, Strat, 1970 Les Paul Std.
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John Gretzinger
From:
Canoga Park, CA
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Posted 15 Apr 2004 9:55 am
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To simply connect the two machines together, the Parallel port connection is the cheapest - you will need a DB-25 M/M cable, not your standard printer cable.
If you have network cards in both computers, then a simple switch or hub will do the job - you may need to set the IP addresses manually, but usually the hardware default will work. The other option give, Cross over cable, will also work, but I prefer the switch route as the cables are standard and can be used for other stuff(tm) later.
If you wish to share an Internet connection, then you do need a router.
jdg
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MSA D-10 w/Nashville 400
'63 Gibson Hummingbird
16/15c Hammered Dulcimer
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Mark Krutke
From:
Tomahawk, WI USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2004 3:32 pm
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Thanks to all you guys for the ideas! I'm going to try the crossover ethernet cable and give it a whirl. Just ordered one off of ebay. Can't wait to try it! Hopefully the wizards will be easy enough to get the connections made...
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www.authenticrecording.com |
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Mark Krutke
From:
Tomahawk, WI USA
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Posted 18 Apr 2004 3:57 pm
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I was just wondering if anybody had tried to network Windows 2000 Professional to xp.
It looks like they aren't compatible. Help!
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www.authenticrecording.com |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 18 Apr 2004 5:41 pm
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| I've hooked a Win2K and an XP box together, although through a router. I believe you have to have them in the same Work Group before they will be able to see each other. |
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John Gretzinger
From:
Canoga Park, CA
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Posted 18 Apr 2004 9:24 pm
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You can certainly hook the two machines (XP and W2K) together via a router. A couple of things - one was already mentioned - make sure both computers are in the same workgroup. Next, make sure you share out some part of the drive you wish to access with (normally for a home network) no password for read/write access. Then, check that the XP machine has not turned on the firewall (default action if you use the Wizard to set up the home networking). Check any other programs you have that include a firewall (most likely your anti-virus product) or any stand alone firewall product (Zone Alarm, etc.).
This should allow both machines to see each other. If you go from the XP to the W2K machine, you will probably be asked for a UserID and Password to access the machine. If you used the defaults to set up the W2K machine your administrator account probably has a blank password. Log onto the W2K machine that way. Going the other way, use either the primary user account or the administrator account you created when you set up the machine. That should get you in.
jdg
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MSA D-10 w/Nashville 400
'63 Gibson Hummingbird
16/15c Hammered Dulcimer
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