Need help to connect 2 PCs
 

Hi all,
am a total newbie. I have one pc connected to a set top box. I have just bought another pc and would like to share the internet connection. The second pc is situated about 6 ft from the first one. Can I just connect the second pc with a cable? I realise that the first pc would have to be "on" all the time. I don't mnd that.
I would be most pleased to get an "idiots" guide as to how to set this up. If I need a router to make things easier, so be it. I am not worried obout the costs as such ( I am an old boy.. very).
Both pcs run XP ( the first pc has XP pro) the second one has XP home.
is there any further info needed?
Please help
Thanks

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

Yep direct cable connection would work, various ways to do it though. Do both PCs have ethernet cards/ ports installed?

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

:welcome:

You can use internet connection sharing, to share the connection, but this is often a nightmare to setup.

Personally, It would be much easier to setup using a router- normally it is just a case of plugging in the router, rebooting everything, registering the router with ntl, and then rebooting again. A router will cost you £20 or less if you go for a wired solution, or £27+ for a wireless solution (plus the cost of wireless cards if you need them). If you need recommendations for makes/ models have a look at our articles section :)

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

Thanks for the replies
Paul.. yes both pc's have ethernet cards

Chris,
I have read mostly all the articles i think. However, when the routers are mentioned.. I need the router for a STB. i guess that is different for a cable modem!!. please suggest the best router in your considereed opinion.
Thanks

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

Bhau, you can use a router on a STB, its not that different to setup compared to a normal modem.

you only need to clone the mac address of your main computer and after that you should have an internet connection through the router.

also when you have a router its soo much easier to setup print/file sharing.

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

Try one of these http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/52897/rb/19551259448
You can also connect your printer to it so both PC's can use the same printer
It's a cheap make but with 191 very positive reviews for £11.99 +vat you cant go wrong

nyck

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

Welcome :tu:

I think you should get a router. I've got a Linksys one from PC World for £50 including the wireless USB bit. Anyways, It's caused me no problems. I can share files/internet everything over it. If you computer is close to other one, I sugest you can get a wired cable for the router, that means, you'll get a better connection and stuff. I've got it for my laptop and it's very good.

Hope you can find something soon!

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

Thank you for your replies.
I shall get a router as suggested and a cable to connect the other one.
..shopping tomorrow!!Guess I shall get an external hard drive too for backups.
Shall let you know how I get on. Am sure i shall need a lot more help to sort this out
Thanks again
cheers

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

Ooooh, External Hard Drive? :) Awesome!

Computer shopping is my favourite :tu:

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

Or you could get one of these bad boys ;)
http://www.infrant.com/

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

mhuggett
Looks awesome.. did not have a price on there.. any idea of the cost?
cheers

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

Yeah... Dont hold your breath.. Im waiting for Santa..
Fully populated (2tb) its about £1200 i think :)

(Also, ive run out of plug sockets!)

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

Regarding the router. I would recommend getting a wireless one (The linksys WRT54G is very popular). These come with wired ports as well, so they give you a choice of going wired or wireless. Even if you don't go wireless now, you may want to in the future, and it would save you buying a second one at that point.

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

Yes, This is the one I have and it's very good :tu:

Re: need help[ to connect 2 pc's
 

Thanks, good point re the linksys.WRT54G.. will go for that one.
shall get all the stuff tomnorrow.cables, router etc.!! guess i dont need anything else to set up.
@mhuggett, think i shall wait awhile for that too...

Thanks a lot
cheers