Networking Comps

[Maverick]

Hey i'm trying to network wo computers together. Both running XP. I also want to share the internet connection. So internet comes into the one computer and shares it with the other. When i do this i can only get one computer to have the internet. The other computer either freezes. Anyone know what the probly could be or how i should network them?

[Martin]

What kind of network are you doing?

[Maverick]

Just connecting two comps together with a network cable. Through Network cards

[rizzix]

you need a cross-wired cat5 network cable.. its a little different from the normal cat5 network cable. it won't work otherwise.

[Maverick]

really? why?

[Maverick]

Oops double posted

I've networked computers together before and it seemed to work, not sure if it was a different cable or not.

[rizzix]

any direct connection between two computers "requires" a cross-wired cable instead of the usual ones.. if you which to use the one you already have.. i suggest u connect them both (computers) to a common router or gateway.

the reason as to why they require a special cable.. well i believe the router does the crossing for you.. and since this is a direct connection you need the cross-wired cable.. but i dont know any specifics.. might wanna ask someone whos into this hardware engineering stuff..

This is all just general knowledge to me. Its not a study i've done, hence i'd know nothing about this in detail..

[Martin]

It's not a special cable, you can make it yourself from a regular ethernet cable. Just switch the last pair with the first pair. Here: http://www.networkclue.com/hardware/network/cross-cable.php

Hence, crossover cable.

[rizzix]

well yea.. but special in the case that its not the usual cat5 u'd use otherwise.

[Blade]

yeah, they're right. you do need a crossover cable to be able to do that. most of the packages that the cables come in call it "crossover" .. the other type most companies label as "straight through" or "patch" .. its kinda messed up. you only use the crossover if you're directly connecting network cards on computers, if you're using a switch/router/hub/gateway or anything you need the straighthrough or patch cables.

although i wouldnt recommend doing this because it'll bog down on your computer, you should look into getting a small router like rizzix said.

[Raugrist]

If you're interested, there's this from TigerDirect.ca. You'll still end up paying with taxes and shipping, but that's still pretty low and you are getting a router (and with wireless, too).