I have 2 comptuers sitting next to each other, and I want to connect them together so they both have the internet. Is it possible to network them by just putting an ethernet in 1 PC and the other end of the ethernet into the other PC?

One computer has windows vista, the other has windows XP.
If so, how am I able to set it up?

Thanks
Chris

The operating system platforms are not relevant at this point. However, I would suggest you make sure that your IE is at the same level.

What you are trying to design is a "Peer to Peer" network. Or PC to PC. You can do this quite easily if you go wireless, however, that does open you up to penetration by other networks.

The best way is to go to a Best Buy or Radio Shack and pick up an Ethernet "CROSSOVER" cable. This cable switches the transmit and receive lines from one PC to the other so that PC #1 talks to PC#2 Receive line and Listens for PC#2's response on its receive line.

Donf,
The crossover cable may allow him to share files but not his internet connection. Get a router, they are cheap and you don't even need the wireless feature. Set up the router on the PC that has internet access then use a regular ethernet cable to connect the other computer to the router.

Hi Need Kama,

Its not my choice here, it's the original poster's choice. He did not lay out specifics. My suspicion is that he does not know what he wants, however, if you dump a router into the mix, you definitely open the door for invasions from unwanted neighbors. So I erred on the side of his security.

Did I jump the wrong way? I'm open to your perspectives, what I don't know never ceases to amaze me.

Okay thanks a lot :)

I have a wireless router coming in a cupple of days already, but I wanted to connect to the internet on both PC's now, guess I'll have to wait.

Thanks a lot for your help!
Regards
Chris

What you mentioned to begin with is kind of impossible if I assume correctly that you have a broadband Internet connection of either cable or DSL. This requires an ethernet connection. If you use a crossover cable to connect your two PC's, this type of network connection is limited to just the two devices. So how will you connect your cable/DSL modem? A third connection is not available for use, so the router is definitely the best way to go. The added benefit of using a router is that your computers will be connected to a network ID that is not routable on the Internet. The 10.x.x.x Class A range, the 172.16.x.x to 172.31.x.x Class B range and the 192.168.1.x to 192.168.254.x Class C range of addresses are reserved and safe to use for Public networks. Your router will most likely come configured to use the 192.168.1.x Class C address range. This helps to make your home network safer along with use of a Personal Firewall program and continued AntiVirus updates.

Happy surfing.

You are trying to set up a wireless network -- Each computer needs a wireless adapter to work

set up a wireless network - Google Search

Since you are going wireless I have a video for you to watch -- You need to protect your network

YouTube - Why you should protect your wireless network with WPA

need to protect your wireless network - Google Search