[WENDY12057]

How do I connect two home computers together? I want to be able to access programs from both computers and have them share in information.

[robertva]

If you are using the typical broadband connection through an Ethernet port you will probably need a router. The router takes the place of the computer attached to the broadband modem. The computers can than be attached to the router with commonly available Ethernet cables. Since they are so commonly available, relatively inexpensive and convenient when you acquire a laptop in the future you should consider a wireless router (most include multiple ports for wired connections to computers). There are informative tutorials in the learning center at Linksys® by Cisco » Home (Other manufacturers may have similar information on their site

[KISS]

robertva has the right idea, almost.

First, do you have internet access for these computers?

Are they connected via Ethernet; cable or wireless?

Are they on the same network? Do an "ipconfig /all". Post the IP addr and subnet mask. Likely 192.168.x.y. Don't worry, that's a private network and everybody has these addresses.

[WENDY12057]

I am connected to internet on both computers via cable.

I am not at that location today 2 check if on same network.

I did get a crossover cable to connect them. WilL that work?

I'm in hopes of connecting them tomorrow, any help or advise would be appreciated.

THANKS!

robertva has the the right idea, almost.

First, do you have internet access for these computers?

Are they connected via Ethernet; cable or wireless?

Are they on the same network? Do an "ipconfig /all". Post the IP addr and subnet mask. Likely 192.168.x.y. Don't worry, that's a private network and everybody has these addresses.

[robertva]

If both computers have broadband connections, modest size files (including many digital photograph formats) could be emailed as attachments from one computer to the other. Some ISPs allow additional email addresses (under the same billing account) that can facilitate that technique. Your ISP may also offer online storage in the form of a "personal web site" that may have enough storage to allow the transfer of files though the ISP. Check to see if your ISP has unusually strict limitations on data uploading though.

How those computers are connected to the Internet is relevant to the usefulness of that crossover cable. Ethernet crossover cables are useful if there are two computers on that local Ethernet network (LAN - Local Area Network) not one computer and not three or more computers. The crossover cable would be connected directly between the Ethernet port on one of the computers and the Ethernet port on the other computer. For Microsoft Windows computers both would have to be configured to be part of the same Windows "work group".

The typical arrangement for multiple computers in a household or small office is for them to share the same broadband connection using a combined router/broadband (cable, DSL or fiber optic) modem OR a router connected to a separate broadband (cable, DSL or fiber optic) modem. If a separate broadband modem is used it would normally be connected to the router by an ordinary Ethernet cable (not the "crossover" type).

Connections between the router and the computers might be by ordinary Ethernet cables (again these would not be the "crossover" type of cable) or wireless (often used for notebook computers). The wireless connections are also convenient when you don't want to install the Ethernet cables between or across rooms.

Some broadband (cable, DSL or fiber) modems might have USB (version 2) interfaces as an alternate way to establish the connection to the computer. While that technique might impose a lot of traffic on the computer's USB resources (affecting peripherals like scanners, printers and external hard drives), it could free the computer's Ethernet port for a crossover cable allowing the two computers to share files and a single broadband modem on one computer (may be subject to additional monthly chargess by some ISPs).

The tutorials on the Linksys site explain many of the Ethernet and home/small office wireless issues with animated diagrams. Much of what the tutorials explain applies to other brands of equipment.

[ScottGem]

Do you have a router? Or does each PC have a separate direct connection to cable?

You won't be able to share programs unless you use a dedicated server. But you can share data,

[WENDY12057]

Hi,
I do not have a router but both computers are connected to the internet via cable. I have a crossover cable I was going to connect to each computer, but just now realized that in order to do that I need to disconnect the plug for internet. What do I do now?

And will this allow me to access my Quicken from either computer? I have Quicken installed in each computer.

Do you have a router? Or does each PC have a separate direct connection to cable?

You won't be able to share programs unless you use a dedicated server. But you can share data,

[ScottGem]

OK, So each PC is connected to its own cable modem? If not how is the connection setup.

If you don't have a router your best bet would be to get a router. Almost all routers include a 4 port switch that you can connect both of your PCs to.

This will then allow them to connect via a network and share files. As long as Quicken is installed on both PCs, you will be able to share your Quicken data. The data files will be on one PC, the other will map to a shared folder on the main PC and then you will use that drive letter to open the file using Quicken.

[WENDY12057]

OK, I now have a 4 port switch router connected. I have the internet connected to the router with each computer also connected to the router. When I go to my computer and check the network and internet connections it only shows the computer I'm on at that time.( I can't see that the other computer is connected) When I go to the other computer, it's the same way. It only shows that computer. One computer has windows xp, the other has windows Vista. Does that matter? They can work together right? I'm really kind of lost. Please help!

OK, So each PC is connected to its own cable modem? If not how is the connection setup.

If you don't have a router your best bet would be to get a router. Almost all routers include a 4 port switch that you can connect both of your PCs to.

This will then allow them to connect via a network and share files. As long as Quicken is installed on both PCs, you will be able to share your Quicken data. The data files will be on one PC, the other will map to a shared folder on the main PC and then you will use that drive letter to open the file using Quicken.

[ScottGem]

You need to make sure that File and Print Sharing is turned on for each PC and that you have shared some resource on each PC. They also need to be in the same Wrokgroup.

Have you run the Network Wizard on each? Do each access the Internet OK?