arborphile said:
Hi
I have just built a new computer and want to set up a network with my
old computer. I have a switch and cables etc. So far I have only been
able to hook my old computer to the net via the switch (quite happy
with that achievement!). Now I don't know how to get the two PCs to
talk to each other. Can you help?
Thanks
Arb
What is the purpose of the network, and what exactly do you mean by "hook my
old computer to the net via the switch "? Is there also a cable or DSL
modem providing internet access, which is also connected to the switch? If
that's the case, you need a router to use more than one computer.
Set TCP/IP on the network cards on all computers to automatically get an IP
address (DHCP). You then use regular patch cables to connect the computers
(or the switch, with the computers also patched to it) to the router.
Routers almost always default to being DHCP servers, so when you turn the
PCs on they will have the correct addresses.
For internet access, you will plug the cable or DSL modem into the WAN or
INTERNET port on the router. From one of the PCs, you'll open a browser
and go to the router's address (for example, 192.169.1.1) which will be
specified in the manual or sometimes on the router. There, enter whatever
login information you need to as provided by your ISP. For cable internet
service, that's often none at all - it just works out of the box. On the
Status page, when the WAN address isn't 0.0.0.0, you're connected.
On some cable systems, however, you need to use the router's "clone MAC
address" function. Do this from the last system that worked with the cable
modem. The cable system will then recognise the router and log in.
For file sharing, go to Control Panel, Network Setup Wizard, and set the
workgroups the same and turn on file sharing. You can either make the disk
or just run the wizard with the same settings (other than computer name) on
the other systems. You should then be able to browse to other systems.
However, I have sometimes found that while you're not supposed to need to do
this, other systems appear only if you add the IPX/SPX protocol to the
network adapter (control panel, network connections, right-click on adapter,
properties, install, protocol).
Then in Explorer, right-click on folders you want to share and choose
Sharing. When done, you should be able to browse from one to another.
HTH
-pk
