Can 2 computers share 1 internet connection?

A

Andy Bonanno

I have two computers at home. I would like both of them to be able to
access the internet at the same time, but I don't want the computers to
access each others files. Can they be connected using their modems without
having to add network cards and other assorted hardware? I've been trying
to understand Internet Connection Sharing, but everything I find keeps
mentioning my home network. I don't really want a home network. I just
don't want either one of us to have to wait for the other to quit using the
phone line.
 
C

Chuck

I have two computers at home. I would like both of them to be able to
access the internet at the same time, but I don't want the computers to
access each others files. Can they be connected using their modems without
having to add network cards and other assorted hardware? I've been trying
to understand Internet Connection Sharing, but everything I find keeps
mentioning my home network. I don't really want a home network. I just
don't want either one of us to have to wait for the other to quit using the
phone line.
Click to expand...

Andy,

There is no way for both computers to access the internet without:
1) Two phone lines and two accounts, or
2) One phone line, one account, and a network.

That said, you can share the internet without allowing file sharing between the
computers.
1) Un install File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, or
2) Use personal firewalls, or
3) Disable accounts that allow sharing.
 
A

Andy Bonanno

Will I still need to go out and purchase a network card or can I network
them using the modems in each computer?
 
C

Chuck

Will I still need to go out and purchase a network card or can I network
them using the modems in each computer?
Click to expand...

You will need network cards of some type, to share internet service. Network
cards are cheap - if you can afford a computer, you can afford a network!
http://www.cablesense.com/
http://www.homenethelp.com/
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://www.wown.com/

Andy, posting your email address openly will get you more unwanted email, than
wanted email. Learn to munge your email address properly, to keep yourself a
bit safer when posting to open forums. Protect yourself and the rest of the
internet - read this article. If that's not a real address, you really need to
read this article.
http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_munging.htm
 
A

Andy Bonanno

Chuck, thanks for the article, but it doesn't tell me how to munge my email
address when replying to this group or while using Outlook Express. I've
set up another account so my original post can be munged, but there is no
choice on the reply. Is that normal?

Andy
 
R

Richard Urban

Each computers dial-up connection needs a dedicated phone line. Now, how
would you expect to have 2 computers use one phone line. Can you pick up 2
different phones in your home and dial a different phone number from each
one - and have two simultaneous conversations? Of course not!

Either install another line or use Internet Connection Sharing (and do what
you have to do to get it to work).

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :)

If you knew as much as you thought you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
 
A

Andy Bonanno

Richard that was a really poor example. First, I can pick up one phone,
dial a number, and then pick up another phone in the house to talk to the
same number. Same concept applies to sharing an internet connection. I was
asking if it was necessary to start a network to accomplish the same task.
Besides, your pointless post comes almost an hour and a half after I got my
answer. My next question, about how to use ICS, will probably be posted in
another newsgroup. Of course that doesn't matter to you since you didn't
offer any helpful advice anyway.

Andy
 
L

Laurence Payne

I have two computers at home. I would like both of them to be able to
access the internet at the same time, but I don't want the computers to
access each others files. Can they be connected using their modems without
having to add network cards and other assorted hardware? I've been trying
to understand Internet Connection Sharing, but everything I find keeps
mentioning my home network. I don't really want a home network. I just
don't want either one of us to have to wait for the other to quit using the
phone line.
Click to expand...


You need a network. The easiest and cheapest way is with a network
card in each machine and a crossover cable. There are other ways of
arranging a two-computer network, but using modems is not among them.

If you don't want to share files, don't designate any folders on
either machine as Shared.
 

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