I have just bought a wireless router/modem. I have two laptops, both
running XP (one Home, one Pro). What's the simplest way to set them up
so each machine can see the other and allow me to share and exchange
files? A quick look through the network wizard settings doesn't seem
to offer the option I want. It all seems to be based on sharing an
internet connection. Once my ADSL line is set up, I assume both
machines will be accessing the modem directly. Until then, I'd just
like some way of connecting the two machines without getting the
internet involved at all.
TIA
Simon,
The quickest way to connect your computers would be with a cross-over cable.
But, if you're going to be getting DSL, you should get a router for protection,
to share the internet service, and to connect the laptops for file sharing.
Here are a couple websites with useful tutorials for both file sharing and
internet service sharing:
http://www.cablesense.com/
http://www.homenethelp.com/
Connecting the two computers with a router is the responsible solution. The
router will connect the two computers, with or without internet service being
available. When your DSL is working, simply connect it to the router, and both
laptops will be online.
All computers will be safer. The router will block any malevolent internet
traffic. This further protects the internet, from your becoming infected and
spreading the infection.
All computers will run better, with the router blocking the trash infection
traffic.
All computers will run independent of each other. Without a router, if you have
internet connectivity on multiple computers, either you are paying your ISP for
multiple connections (a waste of $$$), or you have to have one computer on
whenever you wish to access the internet from any other. With a router, neither
is true.
If you can afford to have more then one computer, and broadband, you can afford
a router. For many reasons.
And Simon, please don't contribute to the spread of email address mining
viruses. 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 - never post your address unmunged.
http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_munging.htm
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
