connecting win98 to XP

[John Riedner]

Can I connect one computer with 98 to one with XP, via
network card and cable, and have them talk? I want to be
able to tranfers files and programs, and access each's
hard drive for the other.

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

Can I connect one computer with 98 to one with XP, via
network card and cable, and have them talk? I want to be
able to tranfers files and programs, and access each's
hard drive for the other.

John,

yes, you can. Shouldn't be difficult. You need a special
crossover cable or you need a switch and two normal patch
cables. The switch has the advantage that you can immediately
attach a third computer, like the laptop of a visitor, and a
switch is cheap these days.

For the crossover cable, please see
http://www.michna.com/kb/EthernetCrossoverCable.htm.

To solve any problems that may arise when connecting the
computers, please check http://www.michna.com/kb/WxNetwork.htm.

Hans-Georg

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

Right, but you can use a hub instead of a switch if you wish:
maybe lower performance, certainly lower cost.

Bob,

sure, but I didn't know hubs were still made. But if you have an
old one, it can certainly be used.

I normally don't mention them any more, but I have an
explanation of the difference on my problem solver web site at
http://www.michna.com/kb/SwitchHub.htm.

Hans-Georg