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mrsthursday · Mar 28, 2009, 12:25 PM

Hi there
I Need to connect 2 pcs together,both run Xp pro, and be able to connect them to the 'net through a shared wireless network using a belkin n1 adapter. Is this possible?
Money is an issue so cheap as poss. Please.
Cheers
T

Scleros · Mar 28, 2009, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by mrsthursday

is this possible?

Yes, install a wireless network adapter in each computer and configure the adapters and the N1 router for a wireless LAN. If you have not configured a secure wireless network before, it may be easier, simpler, and faster to get a local computer savvy person to assist you than to get step by step instructions from this forum. Additionally, if it is not done correctly, your network and the information on the computers could potentially be accessed by outside parties.

If the computers are to share files or other resources, Windows file and printer sharing will also have to be configured on each machine and the necessary user accounts setup.

ScottGem · Mar 28, 2009, 02:09 PM

Of course its possible. That's what a wireless router does.

However, if you want to connect them wirelessly, you will need a wireless adapter in each PC. If the PCs are near the router, the router should have 4 LAN ports to accept a wired connection.

mrsthursday · Mar 28, 2009, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by ScottGem

Of course its possible. That's what a wireless router does.

However, if you want to connect them wirelessly, you will need a wireless adapter in each PC. If the PCs are near the router, the router should have 4 LAN ports to accept a wired connection.

Scott,
I appreciate the answers so quickly. I didn't explain the situation very well.

I have 2 pcs, one of which is using the open wireless internet of a local coffee shop I'm using the Belkin N1 for that.

Then I have a 2nd PC that I want to connect to the 1st one to share the internet, they both run XP Pro and they have similar specs, I can't connect them wirelessly, I was told I have to connect them using a crossover cable.
I don't have a landline phone service so that's another choice I can't use, apparently.
The only computer savvy person I know isn't very savvy and between us we already caused the 2nd PC to need a whole OS reinstall.

Cheers
Teresa

ScottGem · Mar 29, 2009, 06:00 AM

This is confusing. Who owns the Belkin N1? Is that IN the coffee shop or in your home? Do you have permission to use the coffee shop's Internet access?

Perito · Mar 29, 2009, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by mrsthursday

I have 2 pcs, one of which is using the open wireless internet of a local coffee shop I'm using the Belkin N1 for that.

Then I have a 2nd pc that I want to connect to the 1st one to share the internet.

I think (but I'm not sure) that you can do what you want to do via "Internet Connection Sharing". Basically, you create an "ad-hoc" network by connecting the two computers using a crossover cable (you must have a working Ethernet card in both PCs). Then set up Internet Connection Sharing on the first PC.

It's both easier and harder than it sounds. In other words, it's simple, but you will have a bit of trouble doing it.

Check out these links.

Classless Inter-Domain Routing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Internet Connection Sharing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hopefully you're using the coffee shop's connection with their knowledge (somehow I doubt it, however).

ITstudent2006 · Mar 29, 2009, 04:42 PM

Perito: From what I have read it sounds like she wants what you've mentioned. She's "stealing" internet on the first PC and she wants to connect the 2nd PC to the 1st and use it's internet connection. Thus, doing exactly what you've mentioned.

mrsthursday, is the trouble of creating an "ad-hoc" and buying a cross-over cable worth the effort when you could just buy a 802.11 USB adapter because it sounds like you care less about the file sharing, printer sharing etc... and more about the internet connection sharing??